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PrimeEx Q-90 HP + Cosolvent Injection System (CIS), South Pacific

CO2 Extraction of Kava

Like many other botanicals, the root of the Piper methysticum plant (commonly known as kava) is a great fit for supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Kavalactones, the main bioactive compounds in kava root, are mostly non-polar, making them soluble in CO2.

For our customer in the South Pacific, CO2 was seen as the only extraction option that made sense. Whereas other commercial kava products are often extracted with acetone or other harsh solvents, our customer wanted to produce the cleanest, most potent extracts possible using safe, reliable, highly efficient equipment.

  • yellow substance, liquid-like, in a white container

    Unrefined kava extract from a CO2 extraction process

  • 3 employees setting up a Vitalis CO2 extraction system

Highlights

  • Pull higher concentrations of kavalactones compared to other extraction methods.

  • Gentle extraction using non-toxic CO2 for clean kava extracts preferred by product formulators.

  • Run supercritical or subcritical CO2, with or without cosolvent, for ultimate flexibility.