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Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE): A Green and Efficient Extraction Method for the Food Industry
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Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE): A Green and Efficient Extraction Method for the Food Industry
By PMG Engineering Team
·
Published
November 11, 2024
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.
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 foodsVitamin E enrichment from oilsDe-caffeination of tea and coffeeExtraction of omega-3s from fish oilRemoval of alcohol from wine/beerEncapsulation of flavors and nutrientsDetection of pesticide residues in foodExtraction of functional compounds like curcumin, carotenoids, flavonoidsSupercritical drying for nanoparticle formationA food technology consultant ensures extract yield optimization, quality compliance, and process integration for commercial success.
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
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PMG Engineering Private Limited
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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3.2 Flow Diagram of Extraction Mechanism
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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
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Our Clients
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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
