The extracted products are two main components: essential oil and oleoresin.
Essential oils is extracted under CO2 SUBCRITICAL condition is carried out at a pressure of less than 70bar, usually extracting the lightest aromatic molecules with a carbon structure ranging from C5 to C22, which tend to have an overpowering aroma, superior to essential oils extracted by steam-distilled that have molecular sizes from C5 to C20.
Essential oils is extracted under CO2 SELECT condition is an extraction process performed at 100bar, typically containing molecules ranging from C5 to C25. These extracts are somewhat similar to steam-distilled essential oils in composition and beneficial applications, however, they often provide more volatile components that cannot be extracted by steam distillation.
Oleoresin is extracted under CO2 TOTAL condition, which will be run on our system at 180bar or 300bar. The product shall include a volatile and non-volatile component of the plant. Depending on the plant part used, aromatics, heavier waxes, fatty acids, resins and coloring compounds may be present in the extract. The extracts typically consist of molecules ranging from C5 to C60, typically more viscous, can dissolve in lipophilic liquids such as essential oils and vegetable oils. Due to their viscosity, some CO2 Total extracts may require slight warming.
The 180bar type is specialized for extracting materials with low oleoresin content. The 300bar type is used to extract materials with high oleoresin content. This will help achieve reasonable investment costs.
If you are looking for a feasible solution to invest in a co2 extraction plant with limited budget, please contact us so we can assist you in researching and perfecting the solution.