Supercritical extraction is a specialized technique used to extract active ingredients from various substances, including plants, herbs, and other organic materials. This process is of significant interest due to its potential to enhance the bioavailability of extracted compounds, leading to improved efficacy in various applications[i]. With its roots dating back to the early 20th century, supercritical extraction has garnered attention from researchers and scientists and has been extensively studied and documented in peer-reviewed medical literature…
The concept of supercritical extraction revolves around the unique properties of a substance when it is subjected to certain conditions of temperature and pressure. In simple terms, a substance reaches a supercritical state when its temperature and pressure exceed its critical point. At this point, the distinction between liquid and gas phases becomes blurred, resulting in a substance that displays properties of both phases. This state is particularly advantageous for extraction processes because the supercritical substance can effectively penetrate the material from which the desired compounds need to be extracted.
One of the primary advantages of supercritical extraction is its ability to achieve high selectivity during the extraction process. This means that the technique can be tailored to extract specific compounds of interest while leaving undesirable components behind. The selectivity is achieved by adjusting the temperature and pressure conditions, which allows researchers to target the solubility of particular compounds[ii]. For example, in the field of herbal products, and other dietary supplements such as Astaxanthin[iii]. Supercritical extraction can be utilized to extract essential oils and other bioactive compounds from plants, leaving behind inert or undesirable components like plant fibers.
The enhanced bioavailability of extracted compounds is a key aspect that sets supercritical extraction apart from traditional extraction methods. Bioavailability refers to the extent and rate at which a compound is absorbed into the bloodstream and can have a direct impact on the compound’s therapeutic effectiveness. By using supercritical extraction, researchers can obtain compounds with improved bioavailability, which can lead to lower effective doses and reduced potential for side effects. This is particularly important in the pharmaceutical industry, where optimizing the bioavailability of drugs is a crucial consideration.
The history of supercritical extraction dates back to the early 20th century when the pioneering work of French chemist Francis E. Simon led to the discovery of the critical point of gases[iv]. This critical point, where gases transform into a supercritical state, opened up new possibilities for extraction techniques. However, it wasn’t until several decades later, in the 1980s and 1990s, that supercritical extraction gained more widespread attention and application across various industries.
The technique’s application in the pharmaceutical and herbal medicine fields has been extensively studied and documented in peer-reviewed medical literature. Researchers have explored its potential for extracting compounds with therapeutic properties, such as antioxidants, flavonoids, and essential oils. These studies often delve into the optimal conditions for extraction, the characterization of extracted compounds, and the evaluation of their bioavailability and efficacy.
In recent years, supercritical extraction has found applications beyond traditional herbal medicine, such as Astaxanthin. It has been employed in the extraction of flavors and fragrances, the decaffeination of coffee and tea, the production of natural food additives, and even in environmental applications for the removal of pollutants from soil and water.
In conclusion, supercritical extraction is a powerful and versatile technique for extracting active compounds from various materials. Its unique ability to enhance bioavailability and achieve high selectivity makes it a valuable tool in fields ranging from pharmaceuticals to herbal medicine to food production. With a history dating back to the early 20th century, supercritical extraction has been extensively studied and documented in peer-reviewed medical literature, solidifying its importance in modern scientific and industrial applications. As research continues and technology advances, it is likely that supercritical extraction will continue to play a crucial role in optimizing the extraction of valuable compounds for a wide range of purposes.
[i] Dias ALB, de Aguiar AC, Rostagno MA. Extraction of natural products using supercritical fluids and pressurized liquids assisted by ultrasound: Current status and trends. Ultrason Sonochem. 2021 Jun;74:105584. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105584. Epub 2021 May 4. PMID: 33975187; PMCID: PMC8122360. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8122360/
[ii] Uwineza PA, Waśkiewicz A. Recent Advances in Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Natural Bioactive Compounds from Natural Plant Materials. Molecules. 2020 Aug 24;25(17):3847. doi: 10.3390/molecules25173847. PMID: 32847101; PMCID: PMC7504334. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7504334/
[iii] Sanzo GD, Mehariya S, Martino M, Larocca V, Casella P, Chianese S, Musmarra D, Balducchi R, Molino A. Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Astaxanthin, Lutein, and Fatty Acids from Haematococcus pluvialis Microalgae. Mar Drugs. 2018 Sep 13;16(9):334. doi: 10.3390/md16090334. PMID: 30217068; PMCID: PMC6163853. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6163853/
[iv] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Simon
