We can offer extraction starting from 40 kg of your dry material (spices, herbs, seeds, etc.).
As our client, we'll do the hard work for you!
We
are a Czech company founded in 1992. We have been specialising in creating
high-quality
extracts from herbs, spices and other raw materials used by customers worldwide
since 2000. We use the supercritical CO2 extraction method, which
guarantees the maximum yield and purity of your product. We have two
separators, allowing us to extract two different products at the same time. The
first separator separates substances with a higher molecular weight, while the
second separator focuses on extracting substances with a lower molecular
weight, typically volatile and aromatic compounds such as essential oils.
What is CO2 extraction and how does it work?
Extraction using CO2, known as supercritical CO2 extraction or supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE CO2), is an advanced technique used to isolate and obtain substances from all kinds of natural materials. It uses carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solvent to separate the desired components from the raw plant or animal material. The supercritical state has been defined as follows: "When a gas is heated under increasing pressure, it reaches a state where the properties of liquid and gas merge. This is the supercritical state." CO2 can reach this supercritical state under very acceptable conditions, at a pressure of 72.9 atmospheres and a temperature of 31.1 °C. In this state, CO2 has the ability to penetrate materials like a gas and dissolve the desired components like a liquid, which are then separated from the raw material. The result is an extract of high purity which preserves the remaining material after extraction without any damage.
Behaviour of a Supercritical Fluids
Supercritical fluids (SCFs) are compounds in a state above their critical pressure (Pc) and above their critical temperature (Tc). Above the critical temperature and pressure, the material is in a single condensed state with properties between those of a gas and a liquid. Simply put, the process can be seen as the merging of the densities of the liquid and gas phases, coexisting along a certain line.
Phase
Diagram of CO2 and H2O
Phase Diagram of CO2 and H2O
As the
temperature of a liquid rises, its density decreases. As the pressure of the
gas phase increases, the density increases. At the critical point, the
densities become equivalent. Generally, supercritical fluids have densities
close to liquids and viscosities similar to gases. They can diffuse through
solids like gases and dissolve materials like liquids (see the table below).
Close to the critical point, even small changes in pressure or temperature can
cause large changes in density, resulting in a change in many properties. With
increasing pressure, solid substances may form at critical temperatures, but
for many materials, the corresponding pressure is very high; for example, for
CO2, this pressure is 5700 bar.
Advantages of CO2 Extraction
CO2 extraction offers several advantages over other extraction methods which use organic solvents, steam, etc..
Extraction using organic solvents leaves traces of these solvents behind, and during the separation of the solvent from the extract by distillation, volatile compounds may be lost from the extract, leading to a change in the composition of the final product. Although steam distillation does not leave solvent residues in the final extract, it may not be as effective for extracting compounds with higher boiling points, resulting in a final extract that is less complex and does not reflect the original composition of the raw material.
Another
advantage is that CO2 is non-toxic, non-flammable, and
environmentally friendly. The CO2 extraction process is gentle on
temperature-sensitive compounds (with both low and high boiling points),
allowing the preservation of their biological and functional properties, as
well as the retention of the original aroma and profile
of the raw material.
·Therefore, the extract obtained using CO2 does not contain any traces of organic solvents. The sensory profile and composition of the extract correspond to the original material. Additionally, it is free from any unwanted heavy metals or polar impurities which may have been present in the raw material before processing. This is because CO2 does not dissolve these substances, and they remain in the original raw material.
Therefore, CO2 extraction provides higher purity and concentration of the desired components than the other methods. Additionally, the application of high pressure in the extractor ensures the microbiological purity of the product.
The only drawback of CO2 extraction
The CO2 extraction process requires special equipment that allows operation at high pressures and temperatures. It includes a complex system for controlling pressure, temperature, cooling, heating, and safety features. The main disadvantage of CO2 extraction is therefore the high initial investment in the equipment and the operating costs associated with the entire extraction process. As our client, you do not have to invest in expensive equipment and you will receive a product according to your requirements.
Discover
how we can bring value to your company and make your life easier.
Our state-of-the-art CO2 extraction ensures maximum yield and purity of your product without compromising on quality or safety.
We preserve the natural
potency of your ingredients - all the biologically active compounds that make
your product so effective and sought after.
Flexible packaging for every need.
No more compromises
between quantity and quality - with us, you get both.
A
key aspect of our operations is that we ensure that our products meet the
strictest standards.