Extraction Process
We use numerous application processes to create unique, custom flavors to enrich product experiences. Our customers value us for our versatile offering of technologies that provide them unparalleled flexibility- whether it’s in intensity, purity, or heat processing – to create the best solution for their products.
Technology & Innovation Platforms
CO2 Extraction
Distillation
Percolation
Counter Current Extraction
Molecular Distillation Extraction
Subcritical Water Extraction
CO2
Co-solvent Extracts
Solvent Extraction with Concentration
Sub/Super Co2+ Molecular Distillation
CO2 Extraction
CO2 is an excellent green solvent which provides a highly concentrated extract.
In the process, liquefied CO2 dissolves the lower molecular weight aroma active compounds.
Pure extract is then tapped from the process – the CO2 is recycled.
Distillation
The starting material is heated under vacuum at controlled temperatures.
The aromatic components exit as vapour, are cooled and condensed to an extract in pure liquid form.
The ethanol and some water co-distills the more volatile components, producing a low colour high aroma product rich in flavour volatiles.
Percolation
The most fundamental form of extraction.
Percolation, where the solvent is pumped through the bed of botanical material.
Infusion, where the botanical material simply sits in the green solvent, until it is drained.
Counter Current Extraction
A process used primarily to remove terpenes from citrus extracts.
The raw material and a hydrocarbon solvent are fed into a specially-designed column.
These are met by a countercurrent flows of ethanol / water.
The terpene-rich hydrocarbon solvent exits at the top, where distillation purifies the terpenes and recycles the solvent.
Molecular Distillation Extraction
Continuous feed of raw material enters the still and passes down the inside of a heated jacket.
Under minimal vacuum pressure, molecular boiling points are achieved at lower temperatures and a very gentle separation is achieved.
Subcritical Water Extraction
The raw material is loaded into a specially-designed column.
Heated and pressurized water is circulated through the material for a period of time to extract a range of desirable compounds.
The dilute extracted is concentrated by evaporation to a liquid extract or further processed via drying to yield a dry extract.
CO2 Co-solvent Extracts
Solvent is only used when needed to bring out the best part of a particular botanical.
Solvent Extraction with Concentration
Sensient leverages various extraction methods that use a solvent to pull out desired volatile elements not able to be extracted via a different method.
Sub/Super Co2+ Molecular Distillation
Sensient practices the rare sub-critical or ‘liquid’ CO2 process, which is cooler than super-critical:
- Sub-Critical: 40 – 60 atm, 0 – 10°C
- Super-Critical : >75 atm, >30°C
In the process, liquefied CO2 dissolves the lower molecular weight aroma active compounds.
130 years delivering superior taste experiences
Sensient’s extraction expertise...
Crafting a versatile extract that delivers remarkable flavor and tonality is the goal...
Real extracts. Real value...
Extracts keep their flavor profile and taste far longer than their source botanicals...