Some applications of supercritical fluid extraction

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) exploits the solvation power of fluids at temperatures and pressures close to their critical point. Use of SFE with supercritical CO₂ is reported for the extraction of caffeine and quinine from various plant materials and of morphine from serum. Results are compared with those obtained by extractions with subcritical methanol and tetrahydrofuran, normal organic Soxhlet extractions and solid-phase extraction.