síbiotech specialises in extracting natural biologically active compounds using an innovative and environmentally friendly technology – supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide (CO2). Biologically active compounds are obtained from various natural raw materials, including berries, fruits, microalgae, and medicinal plants, as well as by-products of their processing, such as sea buckthorn seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseeds, cranberries, chokeberries, and more.
The obtained extracts do not contain CO2 residues. CO2 is separated from the extract by transformation back into a gaseous state. These extracts are high quality, microbiologically stable, and have a long shelf life. Compared to conventional technologies, the technology is environmentally friendly and avoids using organic solvents.
From raw materials, both fat-soluble and polar compounds are extracted through supercritical fluid extraction, employing carbon dioxide and a for polar fractions co-solvent, ethanol. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethanol are recognised as safe and harmless solvents (GRAS). In the supercritical fluid extraction process, carbon dioxide is subjected to pressure (74 bar) and temperature (31°C) above its critical limits. Under these conditions, CO2 changes its physicochemical properties, entering a supercritical state and acquiring efficient solvent characteristics.
Circulating through the raw material at a specific quantity and speed, CO2 extracts fat-soluble compounds such as oils, fats, and waxes. During the extraction, CO2 saturated with the compounds in the raw material is directed to separators, where the pressure is reduced, causing CO2 to return to a gaseous state. This process yields specific fractions of biologically active compounds. The liberated CO2 from the separators is recycled and used for subsequent extraction cycles.
