Supercritical CO2 Extraction: From Basic Principles to Industrial Applications (Supercritical Fluid Science and Technology)

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) has become one of the most recognized and widely applied technologies in green processing, with supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) leading the way as the fluid of choice. It represents not only the first but also the most established industrial application of supercritical fluids, paving the path from laboratory research to large-scale production.

This book brings together and systematizes the current state of knowledge on scCO2 extraction, offering both a comprehensive overview and practical insights. It begins with an accessible introduction to the unique properties of scCO2, followed by a clear explanation of the principles and operation of SFE. A broad spectrum of applications is then explored, ranging from plant materials to non-plant sources, agricultural residues, and food by-products, highlighting the versatility and growing potential of this technology.

In addition to practical case studies, the book addresses modelling strategies and scale-up considerations, providing valuable guidance for translating experimental findings into industrial practice. Special emphasis is placed on integrated processes and real-world examples, showcasing how SFE has successfully bridged the gap between science and industry. The final chapter looks toward the future, outlining the challenges and opportunities that will shape the next generation of scCO2-assisted technologies.

Supercritical CO2 Extraction is intended for master’s and PhD students in chemical engineering, biotechnology, food engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, and process engineering. It also serves as an essential resource for industry professionals seeking to understand and apply one of the most promising technologies in sustainable extraction.

• Book offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of scCO2 extraction of bioactive compounds from a wide range of natural sources.
• Bridges theory and practice by moving from fundamental principles of scCO2 extraction to practical applications across diverse industrial contexts.
• Provides practical guidelines for modelling and scale-up, supporting the translation of laboratory research into industrial processes.
• Showcases real-world success stories to illustrate how SFE has transitioned from research innovation to established industrial practice.
• Highlights emerging opportunities and future directions for the SFE process.

Ivana Lukić is a Senior Research Associate at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, where she received her PhD in Chemical Engineering in 2015. Her early career research interest was mainly in biodiesel production from renewable and waste feedstock. Later, her research focus shifted toward the field of supercritical fluids applications, primarily supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), including extractions from plant material, preparation of aerogels and impregnation of polymer carriers with bioactive components. Lukic is the author of 32 publications in international journals, 2 chapters in international and 1 in national books, and 3 technical solutions. Her published articles have over 950 citations with a h-index of 16 (source: Scopus 2023).

Stoja Milovanović is a Senior Research Associate at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, where she received her PhD in Chemical Engineering in 2015. Key areas of her expertise are the utilization of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) for the isolation of bioactive components from plant materials, aerogels preparation, polymer foaming, and polymer impregnation with bioactive components. During 2021-2023 she was a visiting researcher at the Łukasiewicz Research Network- New Chemical Syntheses Institute, Poland. Milovanovic has published more than 47 articles that have over 1000 citations with a h-index of 19 (source: Scopus 2023). She has published 4 book chapters, 4 registered national patents, 2 national patent applications, and 1 international patent application.

Marko Stamenić is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Organic Chemical Technology and Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia where he received his PhD in Chemical Engineering in 2010. The subject of his scientific and research work are processes under high pressures, supercritical fluids, Fischer-Topsch synthesis and mathematical modeling. He participated in the development of two mathematical models for the process of supercritical extraction which represent the “state of the art” in this field and contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenology of this process. Stamenic is the author of 26 papers in international scientific journals, several chapters in books/monographs, technical solutions and patents. According to the scientific database Scopus, Marko Stamenić's works were cited over 1000 times with a h-index of 17.