Botanical CO2 extracts & ethereal oils

Here are the different types of extraction methods to obtain plant oils

MECHANICAL EXPRESSION

Employed for citrus essential oils (from the rinds of citrus fruits). The whole fruits are tossed around in a large drum mechanical device while being scarified by tiny spikes. Water is then used to flush the essential oil away from the fruit, and a centrifugal separator then separates the essential oil from the water and any fruit juice.

STEAM DISTILLATION

Employed to produce good quality essential oils. The leftover water contains water-soluble components and is used as a hydrosol.

During this process, raw plant materials are placed in a closed chamber and steam is passed through it, which causes the volatile compounds in the plant to evaporate.

The water and essential oil are then condensed and separated, leaving just the pure essential oil.

CO2 EXTRACTION

Expensive high-technology equipment is used to extract the botanical oils. It employs carbon dioxide (CO2), high pressure, and low temperature. This method is able to extract near complete compounds out of any botanicals using liquid carbon dioxide. Oils produced in this method are excellent odour quality (because of 0 oxidation and heat degration during this process) and are entirely free of unwanted solvent residues and matter impurities.

SOLVENT EXTRACTION

Usually employed for heat sensitive plants or resinous materials using hexane or petroleum ether. The end product of solvent extraction method are concretes and resinoids which are commonly used in perfumery work as fixatives. Unfortunately, concretes do retain tiny traces of hexane. While this is by no means toxic, absolutes are sometimes avoided because they are processed using a synthetic solvent.

ALCOHOL EXTRACTION

Employed for obtaining absolutes through a 2nd extraction process of a concrete; using ethanol as a solvent. Absolutes can be further processed by molecular distillation which then removes every last trace of non-volatile matter. Unfortunately, some absolutes still retain traces of alcohol which are considered as impurities.

ENFLEURAGE

The enfleurage extraction method is an ancient technique of extracting aromatic compounds in delicate flowers using animal fats as a "setting base". Once the fat is saturated with fragrance, it is then called the "enfleurage pomade". The pomade would be treated again with alcohol to produce an absolute.

A plant is made up of many unique phyto-compounds and the process of steam distillation is unable to extract these valuable constituents. As steam distilled oils only consist of the plant’s aromatic volatile compounds, supercritical CO2 extracted oils consist nearly of the full spectrum of a plant. The colour, scent and texture of a CO2 extract is a lot deeper and its aroma is identical to the original living plant itself. CO2 extracts are food and medical grade and they are often used in the food and medical science industry, and also in dietary supplement products.

Synthetic oils and oils that are extracted by chemical or petroleum solvents should be avoided. These man-made chemicals that replicate the aromas of natural oils do not contain the beneficial properties of true botanical oils/extracts. As a matter of fact, due to their toxic residues, many of these synthetic compounds can be very irritating and harmful to the nervous system and entire body.

The highest-grade oils are produced from plants that are grown wild (with sustainable cultivation practice) and away from polluted sources or are cultivated by natural farming methods without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or any other unnatural substances. It is important to select for purchase unrefined carrier oils that are cold or mechanically pressed, and essential oils that have either been steam distilled, CO2 extracted, or, in the case of citrus oils, cold pressed.

What are ethereal oils?

Ethereal oil is another name for essential oil. The price of an ethereal oil is largely dependent on the availability of the plant and the amount of volatile compounds existing in its constituent profile. For example, sweet orange is widely available and its ethereal oil can be easily obtained from its peel; hence the price of sweet orange is low. However, it takes 60 - 80 flower head of roses to produce a single drop of rose ethereal oil. Essential oils are usually liquid, but some can also be solid or semi-solid, depending on their melting point.

Properties of essential oils
✓ Aromatic	✓ Evaporate easily	✓ Non water soluble
✓ Volatile compounds	✓ Fat, alcohol, and oil soluble	✓ Heat, oxygen & light sensitive

Therefore, steam distillation only isolates the volatile and non water soluble parts of a plant - other valuable constituents, such as tannins, mucilage and bitters, are consequently excluded from the essential oil.

What are CO2 extracts?

Heat sensitive plant components are usually destroyed during steam distillation, but are wonderfully preserved during the process of CO2 extraction.

The pressure used during the process determines the type of constituents which are extracted from the plants. CO2 extracts are further sub-divided into two categories, “select” and “total”. Select CO2s are extracted under lower pressure and resemble essential oils in that they are usually fully liquid, which makes them easier to work with during pipetting or formulation diluting. Total CO2 extracts are extracted under higher pressure and contain more of the plant’s original components, including waxes, fatty oils, and colour pigments. Total CO2 extractions are more challenging to work with as they are thicker and require special consideration when doing formulation mixing.

Properties of CO2 extracts
✓ Residue & toxins free	✓ Aroma identical to plant	✓ Extracted constituents identical to plant
✓ Longer shelf life	✓ Fat, alcohol, and oil soluble	✓ Heat, oxygen & light sensitive
✓ 0 contamination & purity guaranteed	✓ Eco-friendly process	✓ Food grade

Some examples of the advantages of using CO2 extracts vs EO (ethereal oils)

- Ginger

Ginger CO2 Select contains mostly EO and it is more pungent than steam distilled Ginger EO. Ginger CO2 Total contains even more pungent compounds than both Ginger ethereal oil and Ginger CO2 Select. In order to reap the benefits of these pungent compounds of ginger, it is best to use Ginger CO2 Total and it requires higher dilution since it is extremely potent and may irritate skin.

- Frankincense

Frankincense EO does not contain the most desired boswellic acid (a very valuable anti-cancer compound), because the method of steam distillation is unable to extract this particularly unique compound. We can find only find boswellic acid in Frankincense CO2 extract.

Safety of using oils

Popular questions

Is it safe to use CO2 extracts on my face?

You can use CO2 extracted carrier oils on your face neat, because they are lipids extracted from seed kernels, nuts and fruits.

Some CO2 extracts such as frankincense or myrrh CO2, their constituents consist of mainly volatile ethereal oil, hence you are able to use them as how you would use an ethereal oil (diluted before topical use on skin). However, if it is Ginger CO2 (Total), then the pungent compounds are way too harsh for the face, but it can be diluted further in a carrier oil to be used as a good warming body massage oil.
Can CO2 extracts be used as supplements?

Most CO2 extracts are used as supplements, or in the food industry. However, Vizü has not acquire the license for supplement use, hence taking them internally is at your own risk. Furthermore, the ratio used in supplement and food nutrition is not to be taken lightly, please do your own research thoroughly before consuming. You should consult a certified food nutritionist on this matter.
Are there CO2 extracted ethereal oils?

To be technically precise, an ethereal oil only refers to volatile compounds that are extracted using steam distillation or cold pressing (even absolutes produced from enfleurage are not considered as ethereal oils).

So the answer is no. A CO2 extract is a CO2 extract - a category by its own. CO2 extract refers to the method in which a plant is being extracted. The final product of a CO2 extract is still different from a steam distilled ethereal oil, no matter how similar the make up can be.

To explain further, here are a few CO2 extracts that are "closer" to its ethereal oil counterpart:

- Frankincense CO2 contains around 87% of EO, remaining 13% consists of the resin’s unique phyto-compounds.
- Lavender CO2 contains 61% of EO, remaining 39% consists of the flower’s unique phyto-compounds.
- Myrrh CO2 contains 89% of EO, remaining 11% consists of the resin’s unique phyto-compounds.
- Hops CO2 contains 60% of EO, remaining 40% consists of the flower cone’s unique phyto-compounds.
- Turmeric CO2 contains 82% of EO, remaining 18% consists of the rhizome’s unique phyto-compounds.

Check out our CO2 extracts

VIZU ORGANICS

Serving humankind & protecting aromatic medicinal plants since 2016.

Imported ingredients from direct manufacturers/distillers/farmers.

Proudly formulated and crafted in Singapore.

Company registration no: 53392620C

Last updated March 2024

Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer: Materials herein are derived from institutes, journals, textbooks, research documents etc. Vizü cannot be held responsible for the validity of the information contained in any reference noted herein, nor for the misuse of information or any adverse effects by use of any stated material presented. Information is shared for educational purposes only. Vizü makes neither medical claim, nor intends to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure medical conditions. Readers must do their own additional research concerning the safety and usage of any oils; or consult your own physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition. Vizü is not liable for any injury, loss, damage or expenses suffered by the customers upon using of the products or if caused by the negligence of the customers.