Application of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction

Extraction of spices

In plants, 'spice essential oils' are easily volatile when heated. In order to extract the essential oils, a solvent is needed that can dissolve the oil and separate it at a lower temperature. Supercritical carbon dioxide is an ideal solvent. The solubility of plant essential oil and natural plant oils in supercritical carbon dioxide is high, and it is easy to separate carbon dioxide from the solution, so the extraction rate is high, the product purity is high, and the operation is simple. This technology has been widely used in the spice industry. For example, ylang-ylang oil, rose oil, clove oil, camphor oil, and so on can all be extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide.

Extraction of plant oils

In Sfextract botanical oils supplier, since supercritical carbon dioxide can dissolve oils and fats, it can be used to extract olive oil, which not only has a high oil yield but also no other residues.

The general process is to mix the crushed olives with liquid carbon dioxide and put them into the extraction tank. Maintain 'appropriate' pressure, temperature, and residence time to fully dissolve the oil. Release the liquid and reduce the pressure and temperature. The olive oil and carbon dioxide are then separated.

Compared with pressing oil, the oil yield is higher using supercritical carbon dioxide. Compared with other solvents, there are no other residues in the oil.

Supercritical carbon dioxide can also be used to extract grape seed oil, sunflower seed oil, tea seed oil, and soybean oil.