Process Concepts in Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), a newly developed technique, is used for laboratorial and industrial purposes because it presents a series of advantages compared to the conventional extraction processes, especially for the extraction of thermolabile components [21,22]. It was first presented as a patent for decaffeination of coffee [23]. Since then, SFE has been used for many years as an alternative extraction method, which causes less pollution to the environment. The concept of the critical point was defined in 1822 as the highest pressure and temperature at which a pure substance could exist in vapor-liquid equilibrium. Above this point, supercritical fluid (SCF) is formed. These qualities make SCFs have higher diffiisivities and less degradation of solutes than ordinary solvents to extract active components. 

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