Supercritical Fluid Extraction

To separate, identify, and utilize valued constituents from various plants, extraction is a vital step. Depending on the nature of the targeted compound, different suitable techniques can be used to get the highest purity and maximum yield. Compounds are extracted from plants using a variety of techniques like steam distillation, Soxhlet extraction, hydro-distillation, and maceration. The application of conventional methods like Soxhlet extraction is frequently restricted by the mass transfer resistance brought on by the presence of many phases in the system. Researchers have created methods that successfully mitigate the main drawbacks of the conventional approach, namely Soxhlet extraction. These consist of reduced extraction time, higher extracted component yield, lower solvent use, and enhanced extract quality. One such emerging technique is supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Bioactive compounds can be effectively extracted from plants using SFE with carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). These substances are used as natural functional food ingredients and preserve and/or enhance taste, safety, freshness, food nutrition and health. SFE consists of five sequential steps: (1) the solvent (such as CO 2 ) penetrates and diffuses within the solid matrix, (2) the components are dissolved and broken down, (3) the solute passes through the solid with a thin film forming around the solid particles, (4) the solute is transported by convection from the solid’s exterior surface to the fluid’s bulk, and (5) the extract and solid are separated and released. The chapter focus on the principle, processing parameters, and application of SFE in detail.