Analytical Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Natural Products

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a rapid, selective and convenient method for sample preparation prior to the analysis of compounds in natural product matrices. SFE is usually performed with pure or modified carbon dioxide, which facilitates off-line collection of extracts and on-line coupling with other analytical methods such as gas and supercritical fluid chromatography. A number of factors influence extraction yields, these being solubility of the solute in the fluid, diffusion through the matrix and adsorption processes in the matrix. A wide range of applications is described for the extraction of carotenoids, lipids, flavour and fragrance compounds, steroids and triterpenes, alkaloids and mycotoxins.