CO2 extracts are lipophilic (fat-soluble) complexes of biologically active substances that are obtained from plant materials by extraction with carbon dioxide (liquefied CO2 gas) at high pressure and low temperatures.
General information on CO2 extracts
The characteristic temperatures of the processes in which the CO2 extraction takes place are around 10-35 ° C, which makes it possible to preserve the entire bouquet of the extracted substances completely in their natural, undamaged form.
CO2 extracts are carriers of the strongest biological activity, the highest among all known types of extract and extraction, which makes them indispensable for the manufacture of effective cosmetic, cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical products.
CO2 extracts are carriers of the strongest taste and aroma, which completely transfer the taste and smell of the starting material (in cases where the taste and odor carriers in the starting material are lipophilic compounds). This quality opens up the broadest prospects for the use of CO2 extracts in the food industry.
CO2 extracts are a 3-in-1 ingredient – they are carriers of taste, smell and benefits. You can use these properties in the end product both together and separately or in any combination.
At the same time, CO2 extracts are sterile (without the use of preservatives). They won’t go rancid (due to the natural antioxidants they contain). Compact (takes up a hundred times less space than the original plant material). They have a long shelf life (at least 3 years). Will not be damaged by pests. They do not contain any solvent residues (CO2 gas evaporates completely after depressurization).
In the food industry, CO2 extracts are used to make meat and fish products, confectionery, ice cream, beverages and juices, sauces and ketchups, tea and coffee flavoring and in many other cases. The list of CO2 extracts supplied commercially for the food industry can be found here.
In cosmetics, CO2 extracts are used to make creams, gels, shampoos, tonics and lotions. CO2 extracts are also an excellent ingredient in toothpastes. A list of commercially available CO2 extracts for the cosmetics industry can be found here.
Regardless, the use of CO2 extracts for the production of aroma and aromatherapy products such as aromatic oils and bath salts is worth mentioning – in this area CO2 extracts have no competition due to their unmatched aroma. Even traditional essential oils, which are obtained by steam distillation, do not achieve the same aromatics as CO2 extracts, since part of the bouquet is destroyed during the distillation process under the influence of high temperatures. It is no coincidence that, according to strict Soviet GOST standards, the production of essential oils of the absolute class was only allowed from CO2 extracts.
Technical and economic aspects of the use of CO2 extracts
A typical normal range for the addition of CO2 extracts to food is 0.001-005% based on the weight of the end product (10-50 g per ton or 10-50 mg per kg). At current prices, the cost burden is in the range of 10 kopecks to 1 ruble per kilogram.
A typical normal range for the addition of CO2 extracts to cosmetic products is 0.2-2% based on the weight of the end product (2-20 kg per ton, 2-20 g per kg). At current prices, this leads to a price burden on production costs in the range of 0,5-5 euros per kilogram, or 0,025-0,25 euros for a typical 50 ml pack.
In all applications, it is recommended to introduce CO2 extracts into the refrigerated product at temperatures from 50 ° C and below (if this is technologically possible) in order to preserve the taste, smell and useful properties of the ingredient as much as possible.
With a syringe dosing device, CO2 extracts can be introduced directly into mixing vessels or initially into a pre-mother liquor, which is then added to the mass of the processed product. CO2 extracts are also perfectly applied to drying carriers (one of these carriers can be CO2 grain) – such extracts, which are applied to a drying carrier, are even more convenient to use.
CO2 extracts can be supplied both in native form (as 100% CO2 extract without impurities) and in the form of oil solutions in any concentration desired by the customer (1-99%). CO2 extracts can also be supplied as emulsions.
The range of CO2 extracts for the food industry can be found here, for the cosmetics industry here.