What You Need to Know
In the supercritical state (above 31 °C and 73.8 bar), CO₂ behaves as a fluid with gas‑like diffusivity and liquid‑like density, enabling it to solubilize volatile terpenes, phenolics, and essential oils. The process preserves thermolabile flavors by operating below temperatures that would degrade them, and the CO₂ can be depressurized to leave a pure, solvent‑free extract.
The Science
Primary Reaction
Supercritical CO₂ dissolves aromatic compounds, forming a supercritical fluid that extracts volatile terpenes, phenolics, and essential oils without oxidation