AMENDED CLAIMS

received by the International Bureau on 02 November 2016 (02.1 1.2016)

1. A eutectic extraction solvent for extracting plant (e.g. vegetable) and/or animal and/or prokaryotic biological material, wherein the solvent is a clear, stable and fluid mixture comprising:

(a) betaine (trimethyl glycine) or a hydrated form of betaine;

(b) at least one hydrogen bond donor compound selected from the group consisting of polyols and organic acids; and

(c) water;

wherein the ratio of betaine or a hydrated form of betaine to the at least one hydrogen bond donor is from 1 :1.5 to 1 :3 and the proportion of water added to the mixture is from 15 to 30% by weight;

with the proviso that the eutectic extraction solvent does not contain any exogenous sugar and/or amine salt and/or anion.

2. A eutectic extraction solvent according to Claim 1 , wherein the polyols are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, erythritol, mannitol, sorbitol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, ribitol, aldonitol, propanediol, and pentylene glycol. 3. A eutectic extraction solvent according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the organic acids are selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, pyruvic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, aconitic acid, tartric acid, ascorbic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, glucuronic acid, neuraminic acid, sialic acid, shikimic acid, phytic acid, galacturonic acid, iduronic acid, hyaluronic acid, hydroxycitric acid, and lactone derivatives.

4. A method for extracting natural biological compounds such as phenolic compounds including phenolic acids and esters, flavonoids, secoiridoids, stilbenes and phenolic alcohols, as well as antioxidants, carotenoids, alkaloids, lipids, phenylpropanoids, flavourings and taste modifiers, fragrances, biocides, antimicrobials, proteins, enzymes, colourings, pigments, surfactants and terpenoids including saponins, from plant (e.g. vegetable) and/or animal and/or prokaryotic biological material, and preferably from plant (e.g. vegetable) biological material, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a. immersing, while stirring, a ground or unground biological material in a solvent as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 3; then

b. macerating or percolating or infusing the mixture obtained in step a. at a temperature between 20 and 60°C; then 55 c. filtering the extraction product obtained at b., thereby obtaining a natural biological liquid extract derived from the plant (e.g. vegetable) and/or animal and/or prokaryotic biological material. 5. A method according to Claim 4, wherein the plant biological material is selected from the group consisting of cherry blossom, horsetail, plantain, saffron flowers, chrismum, rose of Jerico, rosemary, Selaginella pulvinata, Tillandsia usnoides and olive leaves.

6. Use of the eutectic extraction solvent as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 3 for extracting natural biological compounds such as phenolic compounds including phenolic acids and esters, flavonoids, secoiridoids, stilbenes and phenolic alcohols, as well as antioxidants, carotenoids, alkaloids, lipids, phenylpropanoids, flavourings and taste modifiers, fragrances, biocides, antimicrobials, proteins, enzymes, colourings, pigments, surfactants and terpenoids including saponins, from plant (e.g. vegetable) and/or animal and/or prokaryotic biological material, and preferably from plant (e.g. vegetable) biological material.

7. A use according to claim 6, wherein the plant biological material is selected from the group consisting of cherry blossom, horsetail, plantain, saffron flowers, chrismum, rose of Jerico, rosemary, Selaginella pulvinata, Tillandsia usnoides and olive leaves.

8. A natural biological liquid extract comprising plant (e.g. vegetable) and/or animal and/or prokaryotic biological material obtained by the extraction method according to Claims 4 or 5.

9. A liquid extract according to Claim 8 further comprising a eutectic solvent according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

10. A liquid extract according to Claim 9, wherein the eutectic solvent is present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 50% by weight, or from about 0.1 to about 25% by weight.

11. A liquid extract according to Claims 8 to 10, wherein plant biological material is selected from the group consisting of cherry blossom, horsetail, plantain, saffron flowers, chrismum, rose of Jerico, rosemary, olive leaves, Selaginella pulvinata and Tillandsia usnoides.

12. The use of an extract according to any one of Claims 8 to 11 for the manufacture of a nutraceutical composition, a dietary or food product for humans or animals, a nutritional supplement, a fragrance or flavouring, a pharmaceutical, oenological or cosmetic formulation, intended to be administered orally or parenterally, or for topical, rectal, nasal, auricular, vaginal and/or ocular application.

13. The use of a liquid extract in a nutraceutical composition, a dietary or food product for humans or animals, a nutritional supplement, a fragrance or flavouring, oenological or cosmetic formulation.

14. A liquid extract according to any one of Claims 8 to 1 1 for use in a pharmaceutical composition.

15. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a liquid extract according to any one of Claims 8 to 1 1.

16. A liquid extract according to any one of claims 8 to 1 1 or 14 or pharmaceutical composition according to claim 19 for use in photo-protective, anti-photo-ageing, hypo- pigmenting, bleaching, anti-ageing, antioxidant and antiradical agents, reducers of oxygen reactive species, reducers of advanced glycation end-products, metalloproteinase inhibitors, anti-inflammatories, skin soothing agents, collagen synthesis activators, hydrating agents, restorers of the barrier function of the skin or improves the cell adhesion and cohesion. 17. The use of claims 12 or 13, or extract of claims 14 or 15, for orally or parenteral administration, or for topical, rectal, nasal, auricular, vaginal and/or ocular application.

18. A natural biological liquid extract derived from cherry blossom according to Claim 1 1 for use as a photo-protective, barrier function protector, antioxidant and anti-photoaging agent.

19. A eutectic solvent, method, use, or natural biological liquid as substantially described herein and illustrated by the examples.