Tea seed oil is a natural plant oil that’s extracted from the seeds of the Camellia oleifera plant. This oil is rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and essential fatty acids, making it a highly sought-after ingredient in the cosmetic, healthcare, and culinary industries. CO2 extraction is a relatively new method of producing high-quality tea seed oil that offers numerous benefits. In this article, we’ll explore the world of CO2 extracted tea seed oil and its numerous advantages.
What is CO2 Extracted Tea Seed Oil?
CO2 extracted tea seed oil is a natural extract that’s obtained using the CO2 extraction method. This oil is derived from the seeds of the Camellia oleifera plant, which is native to Asia, and is commonly used in traditional medicine and culinary practices.
The 4 Major Benefits of CO2 Extracted Tea Seed Oil
- Antioxidant Properties: CO2 extracted tea seed oil is rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect the skin from environmental stressors and prevent premature aging. These antioxidants also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce inflammation and swelling in the body.
- Moisturizing: Tea seed oil is an excellent moisturizer for the skin, hair, and nails. It can help to improve hydration, prevent dryness, and promote a healthy glow.
- Haircare: Tea seed oil can be used as a natural conditioner for the hair, preventing breakage and split ends. It also helps to promote hair growth and texture.
- Culinary Uses: Tea seed oil is commonly used in cooking and baking due to its high smoke point and mild flavor. This oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining good health.
How Is CO2 Extracted Tea Seed Oil Produced?
- Harvesting: Camellia oleifera trees are typically grown in Asia, where they produce seeds that are used to extract tea seed oil. The seeds are harvested by hand or by machine and are then dried to reduce the moisture content.
- Extraction: CO2 extracted tea seed oil is produced by exposing the seeds to supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) under high pressure and low temperatures. The CO2 extracts the oil from the seeds, resulting in a pure and potent extract.
How to Use CO2 Extracted Tea Seed Oil
- Skincare: CO2 extracted tea seed oil can be used in skincare products such as lotions, creams, and serums. It is particularly beneficial for dry, mature, or sensitive skin types.
- Haircare: Tea seed oil can be used as a hair conditioning treatment by massaging it into the scalp and hair before shampooing.
- Culinary: CO2 extracted tea seed oil is ideal for use in cooking and baking due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor. This oil can be used for frying, sautéing, and baking, or as a salad dressing.
Tea seed oil co2 extraction process
- Pulverization degree: 40 mesh
- Extraction pressure: 350 bar
- Extraction temperature: 45°C
- Seperation pressure: 100 bar
- Separation temperature: 55°C
- Extraction time: 120 min
The CO2 extraction method of tea seed oil
Tea seeds contain many active substances, such as squalene, VE, phytosterols, etc., where the content of squalene in tea seed oil reaches 1% to 2%, but the angle of tea seed oil obtained by conventional refining methods The squalene content is only 30 ~ 40 mg/kg.
Wash the tea seeds to be extracted clean; dry the tea seeds to reduce the water content below 10%, then use a peeler to peel the shells to remove the tea seed shells;
Crush the hulled tea seeds and sieve through a 40-60 mesh sieve;
CO2 supercritical extraction, fluid extraction pressure is 35 M P a, extraction temperature is 40 ° C, CO 2 fluid flow is 700 ~ 800 L / h, extraction time is 3h, the tea seed oil is obtained;
Extraction pressure is the main factor affecting the extraction efficiency of fats and oils. The solubility of fats and oils in CO2 increases with increasing pressure, but the increase in pressure will lead to a substantial increase in equipment investment. In addition, when the operating pressure is high, the color of the extracted fat becomes deeper, which has a certain effect on the quality of the oil.
Optimization of 3 Important Parameters for CO2 Extraction of Tea Seed Oil
- Pressure: When the pressure is 35 MPa, the extraction rate of the tea seed oil is close to 90%, and the color of the fat is yellow, which meets the standards of edible oil.
- Temperature: The extraction temperature affects the solubility of fats in CO2. At low pressure, an increase in temperature will greatly reduce the density of the fluid, thereby reducing the solubility of the solute. Under high pressure, the change in fluid density caused by temperature increase is small. At this time, the influence of the saturated vapor pressure of the solute with the increase of temperature plays a leading role, and the solubility of the solute increases. However, the high temperature hinders the diffusion process, squalene is easily decomposed or converted into other substances, and the energy consumption is increased.
- Extraction time: Extraction time is a parameter that has a lot to do with cost. Under certain conditions, as the extraction time increases, the oil content of the extract gradually decreases. When it is lower than a certain value, extending the extraction time will only increase the cost. It is necessary to choose a suitable extraction time.
The 3 Diffs Between CO2 Extracted Tea Seed Oil and Traditional Extraction Methods
Efficiency
CO2 extraction method for tea seed oil offers higher efficiency compared to traditional extraction methods such as expeller pressing or solvent extraction. It yields a higher percentage of oil from the tea seeds and the process takes less time.
Composition
Tea seed oil extracted through CO2 extraction method contains a higher concentration of beneficial compounds such as polyphenols, catechins, and tocopherols compared to traditional methods that may degrade some of these compounds during the extraction process.
Function
CO2 extracted tea seed oil has a range of beneficial properties, such as being rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. It is commonly used in cooking, skincare, and haircare products due to its nourishing and moisturizing properties.
A comparison of CO2 Extraction and Traditional Extraction for extracting Tea Seed Oil
| Criteria | CO2 Extraction | Traditional Extraction |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Higher efficiency | Lower efficiency |
| Composition | Higher concentration of beneficial compounds | Lower concentration of beneficial compounds |
| Functionality | Rich in antioxidants and beneficial compounds, used in cooking, skincare, and haircare | Limited functions |
Final Words
CO2 extracted tea seed oil is a highly valuable and versatile ingredient with numerous benefits for both skincare and culinary uses. This oil is rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and polyphenols, providing a potent natural option for improving overall health and wellness. With proper use and storage, CO2 extracted tea seed oil can provide numerous benefits for years to come.