The Benefits of CO2 Extracts

There are many ways of extracting the vitamins, fatty acids, antioxidants and phytochemicals from plant material but one of the most advanced methods is the extraction by carbon dioxide. On first look is seems odd that carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas should be able to produce high-quality natural extracts especially as most people's experience of this ancient practice involves steeping the chosen herb for up to three weeks in a solution of either vegetable oil, glycerine or alcohol. But as with all things, processes move on and this is one technological advance that you will not want to miss!

In order to work the carbon dioxide has to be in liquid form and this takes energy. The gas has to be cooled and squashed under high pressure in order to render it suitable to be used as a solvent. These conditions are often called 'sub-critical extraction' which means the temperature above which a gas can't be turned into a liquid.

The plant matter is then added to the liquefied solvent for a specified period of time until all of the key actives contained in the herb have been captured. The pressure is then released and the liquid carbon dioxide turns back into a gas leaving behind a pure and solvent-free extract.

Because this process removes all of the solvent without the need for heating or chemical washing the resulting extract is cleaner and more active than those produced through more traditional methods. As such it is not unusual for these extracts to have a deeper colour, be thicker and have a more intense aroma than was previously possible.

While this process has benefits for all types of plant material it is especially useful for citrus, floral and herbal products. These extracts contain a high percentage of volatile chemical constituents that are frequently lost in traditional extraction practices but are retained in this low temperature process. So, if like me you are keen to get your hands on a few you are in luck as the team at New Directions have just added ten exciting CO2 extracts to their range.

Join the natural skin care revolution and enjoy the plant, the whole plant and nothing but the plant. Natural skin care without the twiggy bits.

Amanda Foxon-Hill

28 March 2011