Industrial applications of supercritical fluid extraction: A review

Abstract

Super Critical Fluid Extraction (SCFE) is basically an approach that utilizes a fluid phase possessing characteristics midway between that of a gas and liquid, to induce the solubilization of solutes in a matrix. Extraction could be set up selective to some extent as the solvating power (which is driven by density) of SCFE can be altered over a wide range by changing the pressure, the temperature or both. Compared to traditional organic liquids, having higher diffusivity and lower viscosity, SCFE gives significantly better mass transfer of solutes from sample matrices. The review sums up the studies conducted using Super Critical Fluid Extraction of high-value compounds from the natural products earlier to have applications in food, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, dairy industry etc. It discusses the processing parameters optimized using pilot scale to be upgraded to industry set up.