The suitability of supercritical CO2 extraction and cold-pressed methods for extracting oils and compounds largely depends on the raw material, the extraction goals in terms of purity, yield, and quality, and the intended application of the extract.
CO2 extraction and cold-pressed methods have several differences, including the use of different extraction equipment, process parameters, and solvents. CO2 extraction is a more advanced, cost-intensive method than the cold-pressed method, which involves pressing oil from raw materials without any external solvents.
CO2 extraction can provide a more precise, selective, and controlled extraction for various products, such as essential oils, terpenes, and other compounds. The process can extract oil compounds that cannot be extracted via cold pressing. Additionally, the yields from the CO2 extraction method can be higher, and the end product can have better purity, taste, and aroma profile.
On the other hand, cold-pressed oils have less processing and are considered less aggressive to the bioactive ingredients. The process does not involve solvents or heat, and the end product is unrefined, organic, and has high nutritional value.
Both CO2 extraction and cold-pressed methods have their pros and cons, and it is essential to choose the optimization extraction method for each product based on specific needs. Consequently, choosing between the two techniques depend on the nature of the raw material, the nature of the material to be extracted, and the intended use of the extract.