Supercritical CO₂ Extraction (ScCO₂) is a specific type of Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE). Supercritical fluid extraction is a process that uses fluids in their supercritical state, where they exhibit properties of both liquids and gases, to extract compounds from various materials.

 

While there are different fluids that can be used in SFE, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the most commonly used due to its unique properties: it is non-toxic, non-flammable, chemically inert, and has a relatively low critical temperature and pressure, making it suitable for extracting sensitive compounds without degradation. Supercritical CO₂ is particularly valued for its ability to precisely and gently extract essential oils, active compounds, and other valuable substances, ensuring high purity and potency.

 

In supercritical conditions (above a certain temperature and pressure), CO₂ behaves as both a gas and a liquid. This allows it to penetrate solid materials like a gas while dissolving materials like a liquid, making it highly effective at extracting essential oils, flavors, fragrances, and other bioactive compounds. The process is efficient, produces high-purity extracts, and avoids the use of harmful solvents, which makes it particularly popular for producing natural oils and extracts in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics.

Supercritical CO₂ Extraction is an advanced method for extracting natural compounds from plant materials, utilizing carbon dioxide (CO₂) in a supercritical state. When CO₂ is subjected to high pressure and a temperature just above its critical point, it reaches a state where it acts both as a gas and a liquid. In this state, Supercritical CO₂ becomes a powerful, yet gentle, solvent capable of extracting essential oils, bioactive compounds, and other valuable substances with exceptional purity.

 

During the extraction process, supercritical CO₂ is passed through plant material, dissolving and collecting the target compounds. Once the extraction is complete, the CO₂ is returned to a gaseous state and separated from the extracted material, leaving no residue behind. This ensures that what remains is a pure, high-potency oil, free from harmful solvents or contaminants.

As being a state-of-the-art extraction method, Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (ScCO₂) extraction offers several advantages over traditional methods like cold pressing or solvent extraction:

 

• Purity and Safety: Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction method ensures that no harmful solvents or chemicals are used in the extraction process, leaving you with a product that is 100% pure and clean.
   
• Maximum Potency: By utilizing precise temperature and pressure control, we capture the most potent active compounds of black seed oil, ensuring that its therapeutic benefits are fully preserved.
   
• Preservation of Nutrients: The gentle nature of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction helps to preserve the delicate compounds and nutrients found in black seed oil, providing you with a product that is rich in bioactive substances.
   
• Environmentally Friendly: Supercritical CO₂ is a green technology that produces no waste and leaves no harmful residues, making it the most environmentally responsible extraction method available.
   
• Selective Extraction: This method allows for the targeted extraction of specific compounds, ensuring that you receive a black seed oil with a high concentration of beneficial components.
   
• Gentle in Nature, Powerful for You: This method preserves the natural aroma, color, and nutritional profile of black seed oil, offering you a product that is as close to nature as possible.

 

What sets histanbul apart is our commitment to preserving the integrity and potency of the natural oils we produce under histanbul brand. Our black seed oil is extracted using the supercritical CO₂ extraction method, a process far superior to traditional methods like cold pressing or solvent extraction.

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and traditional extraction methods differ significantly in terms of their processes, efficiency, and impact on the extracted material. Here's a comparison of these techniques.

 

1. Extraction process and solvents used

• Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) uses supercritical fluids, typically carbon dioxide (CO₂), as the extracting solvent. When CO₂ is brought to a supercritical state—above its critical temperature and pressure—it exhibits properties of both a gas and a liquid, enabling efficient penetration and solubilization of compounds.
   
• Traditional methods like cold pressing, steam distillation, and solvent extraction use mechanical force, water vapor, or chemical solvents such as hexane. These methods rely on mechanical, thermal, or solvent properties to extract compounds.
   

2. Selectivity and efficiency

• SFE is highly selective and efficient. Parameters like temperature and pressure can be finely adjusted, allowing for precise targeting and extraction of specific compounds while minimizing impurities.
   

• Traditional methods often extract a broader range of compounds without much selectivity, leading to possible impurities or the need for further refinement. This can result in lower yields of the desired product.

3. Temperature sensitivity

• SFE operates at relatively lower temperatures, which helps preserve heat-sensitive compounds such as essential oils, antioxidants, and other bioactive components. This leads to high-quality extracts with minimal thermal degradation.
   
• Traditional methods like steam distillation involve high temperatures that may degrade delicate compounds, affecting the extract's quality, aroma, and nutrient content.

 

4. Environmental impact

• SFE using CO₂ is environmentally friendly since CO₂ is non-toxic, reusable, and leaves no harmful residues in the extract. The process is considered "green" and sustainable.
   
• Traditional solvent extraction often uses chemical solvents that may pose health and environmental risks, leaving behind toxic residues unless carefully removed.

 

5. Purity and yield

• SFE yields purer extracts due to its precision, which reduces the need for post-extraction purification steps. This makes it ideal for producing high-value essential oils, pharmaceuticals, and food additives.
   
• Traditional methods typically require more extensive post-processing to achieve comparable purity levels, which can lead to a loss of desirable compounds and increased processing costs.
   

6. Cost and scalability

• SFE involves high initial costs due to the need for specialized equipment and high-pressure systems. However, it offers scalability, process control, and consistent product quality, which can make it cost-effective for large-scale operations.
   
• Traditional methods usually involve lower initial costs but can become less cost-efficient over time due to lower yields, lower-quality extracts, and more extensive processing requirements.