Vol. 11, Issue 6 (2022)

Author(s):
Anupama Anand, Manisha Kaushal, Devina Vaidya, Anil Gupta, Harpreet Kaur Saini, Chahat Thakur, Ruchi Sharma, Anjali Gautam, Dileep KC, Rashi, Ankita Sharma and Suprava Basnett

Abstract:
Supercritical fluid extraction is the most effective and efficient way to extract valuable constituent botanicals. Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) is the process of separating one component (extractant) from another (matrix) using supercritical fluids. Supercritical fluids are highly compressed gases, which have combined properties of gases and liquids in an intriguing manner. Supercritical fluids can lead to reactions, which are difficult or even impossible to achieve in conventional solvents and the process can be completed within 10 to 60 minutes, supercritical fluid can be separated from analyte by simply releasing pressure, leaving almost no trace and yields a pure residue. CO₂ is the leader of extraction solvents for botanicals. The extraction conditions for supercritical CO₂ are above the critical temperature of 31 °C and critical pressure of 74 bar. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) has been successively applied in different industries such as food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, where a sustainable and “green” extraction is desired. The selectivity, low applied extraction temperatures, and in many cases short processing times, have led to the extensively use of this technique in extraction process. The objective of this review is to critically analyze traditional and new directions in the research on natural matter separation by supercritical fluids extraction.