Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE): A Green and Efficient Extraction Method for the Food Industry

What is Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE)?

Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) is an advanced solvent extraction method that uses supercritical fluids—substances at a temperature and pressure above their critical point— to extract valuable compounds from raw materials.

The most commonly used supercritical fluid is carbon dioxide (CO₂) due to its:

Low critical temperature (31.1°C)
Non-toxic, non-flammable, food-grade properties
Easy separation from extract (via depressurization)

SFE enables solvent-free, low-temperature extraction—perfect for heat-sensitive bioactives and natural ingredients.

Working Principle of SFE

The technique works on the principle of solubility manipulation. At supercritical conditions:

The fluid acts like a dense gas with liquid-like solvating power
Penetrates deeply into the sample
Dissolves target compounds based on pressure, temperature, polarity, and density

Steps in the SFE Process:

Preheat and load raw material into the extraction basket
Pressurize with CO₂ and stabilize temperature
CO₂ dissolves targeted compounds
Depressurization causes the extract to precipitate and separate
Final purification using modifiers (e.g., ethanol) if required
Recycle CO₂ and collect purified extract

SFE Equipment Types

Why Use CO₂ in SFE?

For polar compounds, ethanol or methanol modifiers are added to increase polarity.

Advantages of Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Eco-friendly & green (no harmful solvents)
Low temperature (protects heat-sensitive nutrients)
Faster extraction
Cleaner, purer extracts
Easy CO₂ recycling
Scalable from lab to commercial level

Applications of SFE in the Food & Nutraceutical Industry

Fat removal from meat, dairy, and processed foods
Vitamin E enrichment from oils
De-caffeination of tea and coffee
Extraction of omega-3s from fish oil
Removal of alcohol from wine/beer
Encapsulation of flavors and nutrients
Detection of pesticide residues in food
Extraction of functional compounds like curcumin, carotenoids, flavonoids
Supercritical drying for nanoparticle formation

A food technology consultant ensures extract yield optimization, quality compliance, and process integration for commercial success.

SFE vs Traditional Solvent Extraction

Conclusion: Supercritical Fluid Extraction is the Future of Clean Label Processing

SFE aligns with clean-label, sustainability, and nutritional transparency goals in food and nutraceutical industries. Whether you're extracting bioactives, essential oils, or removing contaminants, SFE provides:

High yield
Zero residual solvent
Scalability with minimal environmental impact

Partner with a knowledgeable food manufacturing consultant or process engineer to:

Set up SFE lines tailored to your products
Choose appropriate modifiers and process parameters
Design HACCP-compliant facilities and SOPs
Train operators for precision and batch traceability

PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering Supercritical Fluid Extraction Build World-Class Food Factories PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. # Introduction Supercritical Fluid Working principle Benefits/ Advantages Traditional vs SCF Extraction Application Reference About PMG Engineering Build World-Class Food Factories 2 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 1. Introduction • Supercritical fluid extraction technique is an advance solvent extraction technique in which various supercritical fluid is used to extract and separate, as a solvent. • It allows extraction at low pressure and near at room temperature. • Extraction done based on adjustment/ modification in the condition like temperature and pressure and fluid properties like density, diffusivity, dielectric constant, and viscosity. • Most widely used solvent is CO2 because of its unique properties. • For non-polar molecules, sometimes small amount of organic solvent is also used. Build World-Class Food Factories 3 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 1.1 SCF Extraction machine a. For small scale extractions (up to a few grams / minute): Machine includes reciprocated CO 2 pumps or syringe pumps b. large scale (Industrial) extractions: Diaphragm pumps are used. Laboratory SCF extraction machine Industrial SCF machine Build World-Class Food Factories 4 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 2. Supercritical fluids • A fluid at temperature and pressure above its critical point (highest and pressure at which a substance lie in vapour-liquid equilibrium). • Display physicochemical properties between liquid and gas. • Typically characterized by following which can be managed by changing pressure and temperature: # 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Characteristics Description Viscosity Density Diffusivity Low, Nearly equal to gas & less than liquid High, Similarly liquid, better transport Like gas, efficiency — increases yield Solvation Power Surface tension High Low Build World-Class Food Factories 5 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 2. Supercritical Fluids (Cont.) • SCF is heavy as liquid but has penetration power as gas hence, also known as compressible liquids or dense gases. • Example- - Water, CO2, methane, ethane, propane, methanol, propylene, ethylene, ethanol, Acetone etc. • For polar targeted compounds, co- solvents having high polarity are used, the of which supercritical fluid, known as modifier. increases polarity - Mostly used methanol, ethanol, hexane, etc. Build World-Class Food Factories 6 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 2.1 CO2 as Supercritical Fluid Extraction • Properties of CO2 making it mostly used solvent for extracting non-polar compounds Environ- mentally friendly (GRAS) Non- flammable Non-toxic Properties of CO2 Excellent recovery tendency Low-critical temp. & pressure In- expensive Build World-Class Food Factories 7 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 3. Working principle • A potential replacement for pasteurizing and chemicals food in bioactive medicine. • Utilizes high pressure in combination with CO2 to destroy microorganism without affecting nutritional status and organoleptic characteristics of food. • The principle of supercritical fluid extraction: - Based on solvation properties of the supercritical fluid - By applying temperature and pressure above critical limits of fluid. Build World-Class Food Factories 8 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 3. Working principle (Cont.) Driving force for extraction: Solubility of targeted compound in the solvent used. - Depends on interactions between the solvent and solute - polarity increased by addition of a miscible polar compound (Ex- ethanol) as modifier Mechanism of SCF extraction Build World-Class Food Factories 9 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 3.1 Flow Chart of Extraction Mechanism Placement of Preheated raw material in basket of extracting vessel Relocation of basket in extraction vessel Sealing of extracting vessel & filling system with CO2 (Depressurization valve closed) Placement of thermocouples inside the vessel Once extractor stabilizes, opened depressurization valve to start CO2 supply Transportation of CO2 to dissolved content (separated compound collected at lower part) CO2 loses its solvating power causing entire material to precipitate Recycling CO2 & extraction of precipitated material using small amount of solvents Isolation of dissolved solute/ Filteration using filter paper Collection of extract Analysis of extract Build World-Class Food Factories 1 0 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 3.2 Flow Diagram of Extraction Mechanism Build World-Class Food Factories 11 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 4. Benefits/ Advantages • Lower extraction time, • Less consumption of organic solvents, • Suitability for heat liable or thermo- sensitive substance; • Production of cleaner extracts an environmental benignity • Easier recovery of solvent. Build World-Class Food Factories 12 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 5. Traditional vs SCF Extraction # 1. Characteristics Traditional Method SCF Extraction Method Versatility/Flexibility Not relatively versatile/flexible Highly 2. Organic solvent 3. Extraction time 4. Mass transfer capabilities 5. Productivity Required higher amount Very less amount Longer Inferior Lower Shorter Superior Higher 6. Suitability for heat sensitive compound Not much suitable Highly suitable 7. Environmental impact May have some impact on environment. Environment friendly (Eg: CO2 has GRAS status) Build World-Class Food Factories 13 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 6. Application a. Removal of fat from foods b. Enrichment of vitamin E from natural sources c. Removal of alcohol from wine and beer, and related applications d. Encapsulation of liquids for engineering solid products e. Extraction and characterization of functional compounds f. Application of SFE in food safety (pesticides, & environmental pollutants (PAHs) etc) g. Rapid detection of fat content, pesticide residues content in food h. New applications: Nanoparticle formation(such as beta- carotene) and Supercritical drying i. Extraction of cholesterol and other lipids from egg yolk j. De-caffeination of coffee and tea (extraction of caffeine) k. Extraction of bioactive compounds (Abbas et al, 2008) Build World-Class Food Factories PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 7. References i. ii. iii. Supercritical fluid-extraction process. Adopted from [33]. | Download scientific diagram (researchgate.Net) Supercritical fluid extraction systems - parr instrument company rjptonline.org/HTML_Papers/Research Technology__PID__2009-2-1-94.html Pharmacy Journal and of iv. What is supercritical fluid - supercritical fluids from applied separations v. vi. vii. View of supercritical fluid technology: an innovative approach used to (Pdf) supercritical fluid extraction: a review (researchgate.Net) (https://www.ucm.es/leffs/supercritical-fluid-extraction) enhance solubility of water insoluble drugs (jddtonline.Info) viii. León-gonzález, maría eugenia, et al. "Critical review of the application of supercritical fluid extraction to the analysis of organic compounds in solid environmental matrices." Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry 378.6 (2004): 1425-1434 ix. Abbas, K.A., A. Mohamed, A.S. Abdulamir and H.A. Abas; A Review on Supercritical Fluid Extraction as New Analytical Method, Am. J. Biochem. & Biotech., 4 (4): 345-353, 2008 Build World-Class Food Factories 15 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering Our Clients Build World-Class Food Factories # We deliver End-to-End Engineering Design and Construction Management Projects in Food and Beverage Industry. Meeting Global Benchmarks In ENGINEERING DESIGN and PROJECT MANAGEMENT for FOOD and BEVERAGE Industry with SINGLE POINT ACCOUNTABILITY Process Engineering | Project Management | Mechanical | Electrical | Automation | Food Safety Key Clients We deliver End-to-End Engineering Design and Construction Management Projects in Food and Beverage Industry. Meeting Global Benchmarks In ENGINEERING DESIGN and PROJECT MANAGEMENT for FOOD and BEVERAGE Industry with SINGLE POINT ACCOUNTABILITY Process Engineering | Project Management | Mechanical | Electrical | Automation | Food Safety Key Clients We deliver End-to-End Engineering Design and Construction Management Projects in Food and Beverage Industry. Meeting Global Benchmarks In ENGINEERING DESIGN and PROJECT MANAGEMENT for FOOD and BEVERAGE Industry with SINGLE POINT ACCOUNTABILITY Process Engineering | Project Management | Mechanical | Electrical | Automation | Food Safety Key Clients

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