Supercritical Extraction offers us an answer to the manufacturing question. When carbon dioxide gas (CO 2 ) is highly compressed at a specific temperature it transforms into a dense gas known as Supercritical CO 2 . formula CO 2 , about 1.5 times as heavy as air. It is stable, inert, and nontoxic. In chemical terminology, inert is used to describe something that is not chemically active[1].
Supercritical CO 2 has an extremely high solvating capacity -- the power to extract the active components plants. Because its solvating capacity is based on its density, by changing its density Supercritical CO 2 extraction allows for the selection of the quality, quantity and specific principles of the targeted extract.
Supercritical CO 2 is biologically compatible, and has been given a generally regarded as safe (GRAS) designation by the FDA. This is one of the highest, if not the highest safety rating a substance can achieve. The specifications for this rating can be found in 21CFR184.1983 -- Sec. 184.1983.
Supercritical extraction has three primary advantages over conventional solvent extraction processes;
- Supercritical yields extremely clean, absolutely solvent free extracts
- Supercritical extracts more of the plants functional components
- Supercritical extraction greatly reduces or eliminates the oxidation rate of the components unlike traditional methods.
It is the superior extraction process. It allows for the creation of very pure extracts with exacting quality controls and maximum efficiencies and it does not introduce any undesirable elements into the process such as chemical solvents and oxidation, i.e. rancification
As previously discussed, essential fatty acids offer us one of the highest sources of energy available for our bodies[2].
Know that we have reviewed some of the essentials, lets review what it takes to create the right conditions for ATP production.
Click here for Part 7: Coenzyme Q10 - Laying the Groundwork
Return to Part 5: Compare Omega Oils
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inert
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http://www.answers.com/topic/beta-oxidation
