Supercritical CO2 extraction is widely recognized as one of the most efficient and clean methods for processing vanilla beans. By precisely controlling temperature and pressure, this technology allows producers to separate delicate aromatic compounds without damaging their natural flavor profile. For research labs, startups, or small-scale production, using a small supercritical CO2 extraction machine is an ideal solution. It offers flexibility, lower operating costs, and the ability to test different extraction parameters before scaling up to industrial systems.
Materials and Experimental Conditions
The experiment was conducted using 93 grams of vanilla, crushed into 85 grams of powder. A supercritical CO2 extraction unit was applied at low, medium, and high pressure levels, with extraction durations ranging from 20 to 25 minutes per stage.
Experimental Process and Results
- Low Pressure Extraction (14 MPa, 25 minutes)
- Separator 1: produced a light-yellow liquid
- Separator 2: no yield
- Observation: only light volatile compounds were extracted at this pressure.
- Medium Pressure Extraction (20 MPa, 20 minutes)
- Separator 1: produced a dark full-spectrum extract
- Separator 2: obtained a small amount of white liquid
- Observation: this stage provided the highest yield, rich in major active compounds of vanilla.
- High Pressure Extraction (28 MPa, 20 minutes)
- Separator 1: no extract obtained
- Separator 2: no extract obtained
- Observation: excessive pressure suppressed the release of effective compounds.
Yield and Extraction Analysis
From 85 grams of crushed vanilla, the experiment obtained 5 grams from Separator 1 and 3 grams from Separator 2, resulting in a total yield of 8 grams. This corresponds to an extraction yield of 5–8%, which is consistent with or slightly higher than results from our Hainan vanilla extraction research conducted in Hainan Province, China.
Conclusion and Recommendations
- Optimal Condition: medium pressure (20 MPa) extraction achieved the best efficiency.
- Limitations: due to the small batch size, errors may arise from residue in pipelines, weighing inaccuracies, and liquid retention in the nozzle.
- Recommendation: For more reliable results, we suggest testing with at least 2 kg of raw material.
Overall, the experiment demonstrates that supercritical CO2 extraction of vanilla is an effective and reliable method, capable of producing high-quality extracts with good yield. This technology has significant potential in both scientific research and industrial applications.
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