Steam Distillation vs. Supercritical Fluid Extraction

While essential oils are widely recognised, many may not be familiar with the production methods. Most essential oils available today are produced using hydro or steam distillation. This process involves placing plant material in a still of water, and applying heat to boil the water (100°C/212°F). The resulting steam carries the oil and hydrosol our of the plant, which is then cooled and condensed to separate out the essential oil.

However, this common method has a drawback: thermal degradation of delicate molecules (triketones) can begin at temperatures from 35°C (95°F). This raises the question of how to best preserve the beneficial compounds within plants, without altering their molecular structure. 

One promising solution lies in supercritical fluid extraction. This method yields extracts that are often described as more fruity, pure, and contain higher concentrations of valuable molecules, such as Triketones. The extraction process occurs at a minimum temperature of 31.1°C (88°F), which significantly reduces the risk of thermal degradation.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction offers several key advantages: 

Gentle Processing: The low temperature prevents the breakdown of sensitive molecules, resulting in a Full Spectrum oil (most representative to the plant). 

Precise Control: The extraction parameters can be easily adjusted to selectively extract desired compounds. 

Cost-Effective: The gas used in the extraction process is recycled in a closed loop, which minimises waste. 

Environmentally Friendly: As a carbon-neutral process, it doesn't contribute to CO₂ emissions. 

Safe: CO₂ is non-flammable and leaves no residue in the final extract.

This alternative extraction method holds significant potential for producing high-quality plant extracts while preserving their natural integrity.