Supercritical Fluid Technologies has developed the SFT-150 Supercritical fluid extractor to investigate the application of supercritical fluid techniques to processing applications, such as the extractions of peppermint flavor from peppermint leaves. The traditional peppermint extraction technique, steam distillation, produces a thermally degraded peppermint oil extract, whereas the SFT-150 yields an extract of pure peppermint oil because the peppermint is extracted under much gentler conditions. In a similar fashion, the SFT-150 can be applied to a wide variety of natural substances to obtain pure fragrance extracts for perfumes and shampoos, according to the company, in addition to provide:
- The power to perform extractions in a supercritical fluid media.
- A high-resolution variable restrictor valve for precise control over flow rates, which is essential in obtaining highly reproducible results.
- A high-performance, air-driven pump that can rapidly produce the high pressures required for supercritical fluid work.
- Flow rates up to 330 mL/minute (250 grams/minute) of liquid CO2, which is critical to the timely processing of kilogram quantities of raw material.
- A modular design that makes it easy and cost-effective to alter the unit’s basic configuration, adapting it to meet new or evolving application needs.
- Suitability for foods, flavors, fragrances, fats, edible oils, herbs and spices.