Worldwide, Supercritical Fluid Extraction
(SCFE) is gaining importance over conventional processes
in Chemical, Pharmaceutical and food processing industry.
In the past, SCFE technology could not be extensively
used commercially, due to very high premium charged
by the foreign SCFE equipment suppliers, which affected
the economic viability. But now IIT Bombay has developed
World class SCFE technology in India, to make it efficient
and cost effective. This technology, which is superior
in al l respects and produces high quality extracts,
is now made truly economically viable.
Supercritical Fluid Extraction Plant
(M/s SAMI Labs, Bangalore) Thus use of conventional
technologies like organic solvent extraction (using
hexane or hydro flouro carbons etc.) or steam distillation
may not be now appropriate for user industry. Adopting
SCFE is need of the hour for gaining leadership in the
growing world market of value added quality natural
products.
Advantages:
Current global trends show a growing
preference for products from natural sources. Also there
is an increasing concern for safe, eco-friendly and
pollution free manufacturing processes. SCFE technology
provides a ready and total solution to these challenges.
Its superiority of over the conventional technologies
of extraction, especially for natural products in the
food and pharmaceutical industry, is well recognized
today, as it provides:
1. Superior Product:
Un-degraded extracts with
delicacy and freshness close to natural.
High concentration of desired
active components with No residual solvent.
Longer shelf life and free
of biological (microbial) contaminants.
2. Superior Process:
Simultaneous fractionation
of extract possible to get spice oil and oleoresin
in a single step.
Flexible operating conditions
for multiple product extraction.
Carbon Dioxide (C02) as solvent
is Generally Regarded As safe (GRAS) for food products.
Commercial Applications:
SCFE is a highly versatile technology
with a varied range of applications:
Extraction of Natural Products
such as Essential oils & Oleoresins, Flavours,
Fragrances, Food Colours, Preservatives, Pesticides
and Herbal Medicines etc.
De-cholesterolisation of Food,
De-caffeination of Tea/ Coffee, De-Nicotisation and
Removal of Tar from Tobacco and Extraction of Hops
Precision Cleaning of Electronic
& Optical Components
Production of Nano-Particles, Chemical
Synthesis & Polymer Processing
Processing and preservation of
food products
Commercial Status:
Execute turnkey projects, in association
with industrial partner company M/s. Deven Supercriticals
Pvt. Ltd.
Six numbers of turnkey SCFE projects
(value Rs. 6.09 crores) have been successfully completed
by year 2005-2006. IIT Bombay has received license fee
of Rs. 22.5 lakhs till year 2005-2006.
Presently five projects (value
Rs. 9.95 crores) are in hand. Amount of applicable license
fee for year 2006-2007 would be arrived at after completion
of financial year 2006-2007.
