03/11/2011
Supercritical Fluid Extraction technology (SFE) is a green technology for extraction that reduces solvent consumption, analysis time and the number of handling steps required for many traditional methods.
The SFE extraction technique uses compressed carbon dioxide at critical temperature which is around 31°C as an extraction solvent. After extraction, a decompression phase (through lowering of the pressure) causes the carbonic gas to change from the supercritical state to the gaseous state, which completely eliminates it from the extract obtained.
Carbon dioxide is the most ideal solvent for botanical plants extraction because it is non-toxic, readily available and easily removable from the products.
SC-CO2 extracts have been not only recognized as having a superior quality in terms of odor and taste, yet the principle active ingredients obtained are also not denatured due to extraction at moderate temperature and resembling more to its natural source.
