Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) is an advanced and versatile separation technique that harnesses the unique properties of supercritical fluids (SCFs) to extract a wide variety of compounds from both solid and liquid matrices. Supercritical fluids, which are substances at a temperature and pressure above their critical points, possess both liquid-like density and gas-like viscosity, making them highly effective solvents for extraction processes. This review delves into the underlying mechanisms of SFE, focusing on how SCFs interact with target compounds to achieve efficient and selective extractions. A key advantage of SFE is its ability to achieve high extraction yields with minimal solvent use, enhancing both efficiency and sustainability. The process also allows for the extraction of thermally sensitive compounds without degradation, which is crucial in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The review highlights the broad range of applications for SFE, including the extraction of essential oils, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and natural products. Recent advancements in SFE technology are also discussed, with particular attention given to innovations that have improved extraction efficiency and selectivity. These include the use of novel supercritical fluids, such as carbon dioxide, and the integration of SFE with other separation techniques, such as chromatography. The optimization of operational parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and flow rate, is another critical area of development that has enhanced the scalability and adaptability of the SFE process. Looking ahead, the review explores future trends in SFE, emphasizing the continued development of environmentally friendly supercritical fluids and the increasing use of SFE in combination with other green extraction methods. The integration of these innovations promises to further improve the sustainability, efficiency, and versatility of SFE, expanding its application across various industries and disciplines.

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1. Zhou W, Liu Y, Zhang Z, Liu J, Chen L. Recent developments in supercritical fluid extraction for bioactive compounds: A review. Food Bioprod Process. 2020;122:1-10.
2. Higuera-Ciapara I, Sandez A, Ponce N, Rodríguez-Vázquez R. Supercritical fluid extraction of bioactive compounds from plants. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(4):501-517.
3. Masteikova R, Štefániková J, Sramkova K. Supercritical fluid extraction and its applications in natural products. J Sci Food Agric. 2018;98(14):5270-5281.
4. Sarker SD, Nahar L. Supercritical fluid extraction of natural products: An overview. In: Nahar L, Sarker SD, editors. Phytochemistry: Advances in Research. Elsevier; 2019. p. 191-206.
5. Markham JB, Saroha A, Lewis R. Supercritical carbon dioxide as an extraction solvent: Technology and applications. J CO2 Util. 2018;28:1-10.
6. Xie X, Zheng Y, Zhang J, et al. A comprehensive review on the supercritical fluid extraction of essential oils. Molecules. 2020;25(24):5840.
7. Bessada SM, Barreira JCM, Oliveira MB. Supercritical fluid extraction of bioactive compounds from plants: A review. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2020;101:1-11.
8. Andini S, Tontodonati M, Gori A. Supercritical fluid extraction for pharmaceutical applications: Recent developments and prospects. Int J Pharm. 2019;568:118493.
9. Perrini G, Mencherini T, De Vito V, et al. Supercritical fluid extraction of bioactive compounds from plants: A review. Ind Crops Prod. 2018;116:25-44.
10. Olivera C, Martínez de la Ossa E, Sanz J. Supercritical fluid extraction of antioxidants from plant materials. Food Chem. 2020;317:126447.
11. Mujtaba IM, Ng K, Blanch HW, et al. Optimization of supercritical fluid extraction using CO2: Applications in food, environmental, and pharmaceutical industries. Chem Eng Process. 2020;153:107913.
12. Bosi S, Ferretti G, Pucci L. Supercritical fluid extraction of functional ingredients from fruits and vegetables: Current trends. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol. 2020;59:102240.
13. Ji Y, Deng Y, Xu Z, et al. Advances in supercritical fluid extraction for food industry applications: A review. J Food Sci. 2021;86(6):2170-2184.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) is an advanced and versatile separation technique that harnesses the unique properties of supercritical fluids (SCFs) to extract a wide variety of compounds from both solid and liquid matrices. Supercritical fluids, which are substances at a temperature and pressure above their critical points, possess both liquid-like density and gas-like viscosity, making them highly effective solvents for extraction processes. This review delves into the underlying mechanisms of SFE, focusing on how SCFs interact with target compounds to achieve efficient and selective extractions. A key advantage of SFE is its ability to achieve high extraction yields with minimal solvent use, enhancing both efficiency and sustainability. The process also allows for the extraction of thermally sensitive compounds without degradation, which is crucial in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The review highlights the broad range of applications for SFE, including the extraction of essential oils, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and natural products. Recent advancements in SFE technology are also discussed, with particular attention given to innovations that have improved extraction efficiency and selectivity. These include the use of novel supercritical fluids, such as carbon dioxide, and the integration of SFE with other separation techniques, such as chromatography. The optimization of operational parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and flow rate, is another critical area of development that has enhanced the scalability and adaptability of the SFE process. Looking ahead, the review explores future trends in SFE, emphasizing the continued development of environmentally friendly supercritical fluids and the increasing use of SFE in combination with other green extraction methods. The integration of these innovations promises to further improve the sustainability, efficiency, and versatility of SFE, expanding its application across various industries and disciplines.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Zhou W, Liu Y, Zhang Z, Liu J, Chen L. Recent developments in supercritical fluid extraction for bioactive compounds: A review. Food Bioprod Process. 2020;122:1-10.
2. Higuera-Ciapara I, Sandez A, Ponce N, Rodríguez-Vázquez R. Supercritical fluid extraction of bioactive compounds from plants. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(4):501-517.
3. Masteikova R, Štefániková J, Sramkova K. Supercritical fluid extraction and its applications in natural products. J Sci Food Agric. 2018;98(14):5270-5281.
4. Sarker SD, Nahar L. Supercritical fluid extraction of natural products: An overview. In: Nahar L, Sarker SD, editors. Phytochemistry: Advances in Research. Elsevier; 2019. p. 191-206.
5. Markham JB, Saroha A, Lewis R. Supercritical carbon dioxide as an extraction solvent: Technology and applications. J CO2 Util. 2018;28:1-10.
6. Xie X, Zheng Y, Zhang J, et al. A comprehensive review on the supercritical fluid extraction of essential oils. Molecules. 2020;25(24):5840.
7. Bessada SM, Barreira JCM, Oliveira MB. Supercritical fluid extraction of bioactive compounds from plants: A review. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2020;101:1-11.
8. Andini S, Tontodonati M, Gori A. Supercritical fluid extraction for pharmaceutical applications: Recent developments and prospects. Int J Pharm. 2019;568:118493.
9. Perrini G, Mencherini T, De Vito V, et al. Supercritical fluid extraction of bioactive compounds from plants: A review. Ind Crops Prod. 2018;116:25-44.
10. Olivera C, Martínez de la Ossa E, Sanz J. Supercritical fluid extraction of antioxidants from plant materials. Food Chem. 2020;317:126447.
11. Mujtaba IM, Ng K, Blanch HW, et al. Optimization of supercritical fluid extraction using CO2: Applications in food, environmental, and pharmaceutical industries. Chem Eng Process. 2020;153:107913.
12. Bosi S, Ferretti G, Pucci L. Supercritical fluid extraction of functional ingredients from fruits and vegetables: Current trends. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol. 2020;59:102240.
13. Ji Y, Deng Y, Xu Z, et al. Advances in supercritical fluid extraction for food industry applications: A review. J Food Sci. 2021;86(6):2170-2184.