Supercritical CO2 Extraction and Peanut Oil

A Cleaner Path to Peanut Oil Extraction

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) extraction of peanut oil is a modern method that uses supercritical fluid (SCF) CO₂ as a solvent to extract oil from peanuts. This technique is efficient, environmentally friendly, and capable of producing high-quality oil without the use of harmful chemicals.CO₂ extraction of peanut oil is rapidly transforming how manufacturers achieve high-quality, pure oil for culinary, cosmetic, and specialty industrial markets. By applying supercritical carbon dioxide as a solvent, this method stands out for its efficiency, environmental stewardship, and ability to preserve the valuable nutrients and natural flavors inherent in peanuts.

The Supercritical Fluid CO₂ Extraction Process for Peanut Oil

Supercritical CO₂ extraction begins by pressurizing and gently heating carbon dioxide above its critical point (31°C and 73 atm), turning it into a supercritical fluid with the unique ability to act as both a liquid and a gas. In this state, CO₂ deeply penetrates crushed peanuts in the extraction vessel, dissolving the oil and beneficial plant compounds within the peanut matrix. The CO₂-oil solution is then routed to a separator, where lower pressure and temperature allow the CO₂ to revert to its gaseous form, leaving behind pure peanut oil. Importantly, the CO₂ is recycled back into the system for ongoing use, making the process truly sustainable.

At-a-glance breakdown of the SCF CO₂ process:

Supercritical CO₂: Carbon dioxide is pressurized and heated beyond its critical temperature and pressure (above 31°C and 73 atm), turning it into a supercritical fluid. In this state, CO₂ behaves like both a liquid and a gas, allowing it to penetrate the peanut material deeply and dissolve oils effectively.

Extraction Process: Crushed or ground peanuts are placed in an extraction vessel. Supercritical CO₂ is passed through the peanut material, dissolving the oil present in the nuts.

Separation: The CO₂-oil mixture is then transferred to a separator where pressure and temperature are reduced, causing CO₂ to return to gas form and separate from the oil.

Recycling CO₂: The gaseous CO₂ is recycled back into the system for reuse, making the process sustainable.Advantages of CO₂ Extraction for Peanut Oil

• No solvent residues: Unlike traditional hexane extraction, which can leave harmful residues and creates environmental burdens, CO₂ extraction offers a 100% solvent-free final product.
• Preserves oil quality: The mild temperatures protect heat-sensitive nutrients, antioxidants, and the distinctive flavor profiles that consumers value.
• Environmentally friendly: CO₂ is non-toxic, non-flammable, abundantly available, and fully recyclable within the closed-loop system, dramatically reducing emissions and eliminating hazardous solvent waste.
• Selective extraction: Operators fine-tune the pressure and temperature to selectively target oil and specific functional compounds, resulting in higher purity and yield than conventional methods.
• Efficiency: Research shows supercritical CO₂ extraction can reach oil yields above 30% in just 80 minutes—faster and cleaner than traditional methods—while reducing energy consumption and process steps.
• Enhanced application flexibility: Supercritical CO₂ can also be adapted to extract other valuable peanut compounds, such as flavoring agents and antioxidants, broadening the range of premium products manufacturers can offer.

The Phasex Advantage: Proven SCF Expertise for Clean, Custom Extraction

Phasex Corporation is a global pioneer in supercritical fluid extraction, with over four decades of hands-on expertise developing proprietary methods for food oils, nutraceuticals, botanicals, and specialty polymers.

Here’s what sets Phasex apart:

• Cleaner, safer processing: Phasex’s proprietary food-grade supercritical CO₂ extraction leaves absolutely no solvent residue, ensuring the purest possible peanut oil—ideal for food, cosmetic, and specialty products where contamination is unacceptable.
• Retention of delicate nutrients and flavors: Unlike harsh extraction processes, Phasex’s technology safeguards aroma, antioxidants, and sensitive bioactives within the final oil.
• USDA Organic and cGMP Certified: Phasex operates under the strictest quality standards, including USDA Organic and cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) certification, backed by third-party audits, to guarantee traceability and compliance for global marketplaces.
• Custom process optimization: Each extraction is precisely tailored, taking into account peanut variety, particle size, roasting profile, and client end-product requirements to achieve optimal purity, yield, and economic efficiency.
• Technical partnership: Phasex’s team supports end-to-end project development, from feasibility and pilot-scale testing to full-scale toll processing, providing expertise often unavailable from generic extractors.

Broader Industry and Customer Perspectives

Today’s food and ingredient sectors face rising pressure for transparency, sustainability, and clean-label product development. Major trends driving customer adoption of supercritical CO₂-extracted peanut oil include:

• Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Strict food and cosmetic regulations are making solvent-based extractions less tenable. CO₂ extraction ensures no hazardous solvent residues, simplifying global regulatory approvals and supporting growth in organic/natural markets.
• Consumer Demand for Purity: Buyers increasingly seek oils free from contaminants, with maximum nutrition and flavor retention. Supercritical CO₂ delivers on these expectations, offering a “chemical-free” messaging point for premium brands.
• Sustainability & Environmental Credentials: The circular nature of CO₂ extraction—where solvent can be recycled and no toxic waste generated—complements sustainability initiatives and ESG commitments within the supply chain.

Versatility for New Product Development: The ability to extract high-value micronutrients, antioxidants, or aroma compounds gives manufacturers new avenues for product differentiation—whether for “cold extracted” culinary oils, cosmetics, or wellness applications.

Supercritical CO₂ extraction—championed and refined by Phasex—enables customers to achieve next-generation peanut oil quality with superior purity, yield, and environmental performance. As industry needs evolve toward cleaner, safer, and more sustainable production models, Phasex’s expertise ensures that companies stay ahead with tailored, technically superior extraction solutions.

Exploring SCF for Your Business

As pioneers in the industry with four decades of expertise, Phasex is the pre-eminent leader in supercritical fluid CO₂ extraction. We are a full-service company providing feasibility studies, R&D, and toll processing to industry and government. 

Curious about how SCF CO₂ processing can help you meet your goals? We’re happy to discuss a feasibility assessment with you about your supercritical fluid needs. Or contact us now if there are any questions we can answer for you.