The mechanism behind Supercritical CO2 Caffeine Extraction and its Effects on Health

Supercritical CO2 extraction might sound very exotic, however, when you take a closer look, you will realize the impact it has had on your everyday lives. From natural aromas of herbs and spices, to decaffeinated coffee, or even pharmaceutical applications, there are numerous utilities of this extraction method.

Supercritical fluids

They are fascinating substances that are neither gas nor liquid, made once a particular critical pressure and temperature have been surpassed. They are nearly as dense as liquids, however, they contain a similar viscosity as that of gas. Supercritical CO2 caffeine extraction provides you with clear benefits, since carbon dioxide is readily available, non-toxic, inexpensive, non-explosive, and allows gentle product treatment at fair temperatures with separation of the extract and solvent.

Supercritical extraction

It plays a vital role in producing first-class products from natural raw materials such as spices or herbs. The spices or herbs are dried, ground, filled into a basket, and then placed inside the extractor. CO2 is supplied into the extractor through a high-pressure pump, where it starts to dissipate the extract from the product. High pressure enhances the substance solubility that needs to be dissolved. Once the procedure is over, the CO2 can be condensed again for reuse in subsequent extractions.

Wide range of applications

Extraction with supercritical fluids has many applications in the cosmetics, food, and pharma industries. Utilizing this technology to extract substances offers you everyday products like essential oils, decaffeinated coffee, color pigments, and flavors. The pharma applications are even more interesting. With the help of supercritical fluids one can produce or modify nano or micro-sized particles with a clear particle size distribution; procedures that are making drugs with controlled and exact properties possible. Aerogels, high-performance insulation materials with exciting new properties, are another high-tech application where supercritical CO2 acts as a uniquely advantageous extraction solution.

Verdict

Supercritical CO2 caffeine extraction has been utilized as a decaffeinating agent since 1974 by coffee roasters, replacing it with dichloromethane, a potentially carcinogenic solvent. Supercritical CO2 is particularly well-suited to the decaffeinating procedure, as it helps remove caffeine at the same time as leaving the aroma oils, and the coffee beans do not require being treated following decaffeination to get rid of solvent residues. The CO2 can be stripped of the residue and used again.

About The Author:

This article is written by Vivek Pallav. He has written many articles about Cannabis, Cannabis Extraction space, and consulting for extraction solutions