Characteristic of CO2 in process of extraction

- CO₂ is a gas of sour smell and taste, in higher concentrations suffocating, in solid state a white hard substance.
- Critical temperature is 31⁰C. Extractions can be performed at temperatures low enough to prevent any damage of organoleptic quality of the extract.
- Critical pressure 7.3 MPa.
- Inertness - no danger of secondary reactions (e.g. oxidation or hydrolysis).
- CO₂ is a nonpolar solvent. Its polarity is similar to nonpolar organic solvents e.,g. hexane