| Abstract | With a conventional liquid solvent and a given system, temperature is the only variable which can be manipulated to influence solvency. However, if the solvent is a fluid near its critical temperature, changes in pressure significantly affect the fluid density, hence solvency for a given solute. Supercritical fluid processing which based on this principle allows many difficult-to-prepare samples, such as highly viscous, poorly soluble materials, insoluble powders etc, to be prepared for use rapidly, efficiently, safely and inexpensively with minimum use of organic solvents. Explorations for industrial use of supercritical fluids are rapidly expanding, especially in the areas of natural products, biochemicals, specialty chemicals, food and pharmaceuticals. The article reviews the underlining principle of this technology and its advantages over other methods. |
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