Industrial production of food ingredient

Supercritical CO₂ extraction is one of the most innovative and sustainable technologies for obtaining high-purity ingredients and active compounds. This method is ideal for extracting essential oils, antioxidants, natural pigments, and extracts rich in other valuable bioactive compounds, as it preserves the functional properties of the ingredients without leaving toxic residues or compromising their quality. It is also used for the removal of unwanted substances such as fat in the production of protein ingredients, caffeine in the preparation of decaffeinated coffee or tea, odours, pesticides, and more. Using CO₂ in its supercritical state allows for selective and efficient extraction, operating at low temperatures that preserve even the most sensitive components. The treated raw material is also preserved, often enabling the production of two valuable products in a single process (a high-value extract and a defatted product). Furthermore, it is an environmentally friendly solution, as CO₂ is reusable and does not generate polluting by-products, enabling the processed products to achieve ECO certification.

Industrial processing and product development

At ALTEX, our industrial facility specialising in supercritical CO₂ technology, companies can process their raw materials to:

Obtain high-value lipid extracts for use as food supplements, flavourings, or antioxidants, derived from plant-based materials such as seeds, berries, nuts, roots, flowers, and leaves.
Produce protein-rich ingredients and low-fat products. In certain cases, it is possible to reduce the fat content of natural products to approximately 2% (e.g. cereals) or even less than 1% (e.g. cocoa).
Treat ingredients through purification and the removal of trace substances, eliminating unwanted odours, reducing pesticide content, and more.
Reduce microbiological contamination, providing an effective solution for heat-sensitive or easily oxidisable compounds.

Our solutions

To provide this industrial processing, we offer

Eco (organic), GMP, and Halal certifications.
Extractors with a 1000 L capacity, enabling processing services for various batch sizes.
Pilot plants of up to 20 L for feasibility studies and preliminary development, including process studies, sample generation, and cost estimation, if required.

Efficient extraction

Supercritical CO₂ extraction is characterised by its high efficiency and selectivity. It is used to obtain high-value oils, which are employed in food supplements, flavourings, and as antioxidants. These oils are extracted from a variety of plant-based sources. Examples available on the market include:

Seeds: broccoli, lupin, carrot, pomegranate, sesame, blackcurrant, pepper, cumin, etc.
Cereals: oats, wheat, etc.
Berries: saw palmetto, raspberry, sea buckthorn, among others.
Nuts: almond, hazelnut, cashew.
Roots: angelica, ginger.
Flowers and/or leaves: chamomile, oregano, hops.

Protein ingredients from pressed cakes

Oilseeds are typically pressed to extract their oils, which are widely used in food applications. The by-product of this process is a press cake that retains approximately 10% fat and is used as meal for both human and animal consumption. Extracting the residual oil with CO₂ can transform these press cakes into an ingredient with minimal fat content, significantly increasing their protein percentage. These flours are utilised as protein sources or even in vegan products, such as meat alternatives. Examples of flours that benefit or could benefit from this method include those derived from sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia, rapeseed, hemp, and various nuts.

Low-fat ingredients

CO₂ can reduce the fat content in various materials without altering their original structure.This makes it possible to produce defatted ingredients in formats such as flakes, laminates, granules, and flours, which are ideal for use in healthier food products, including snacks, sports nutrition, and supplements.

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Miguel García

Jefe Departamento Fluidos Supercríticos – ALTEX