| abstract |
This invention is directed to a process for the production of extracts from spices in two stages by extraction with a non-toxic gas as solvent, the improvement which comprises in a first stage extracting from the spices essential oils functioning as aroma components by contacting the spices with liquid solvent, at a pressure in the supercritical range and a temperature in the subcritical range, separating the solvent from the spice, evaporating the solvent and separating essential oils, and in a second stage extracting from the spices the portions acting as flavor carriers by contacting the spices from the first stage with gaseous solvent, at a pressure and a temperature both in the supercritical range, separating the gaseous solvent from the spice, reducing the pressure and temperature, and separating the flavor carriers from the gaseous solvent. |