Differences

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--- algae:food:extraction_solvents [2026-06-23 10:20] – [Permitted solvents commonly used for algal extracts] robert
+++ algae:food:extraction_solvents [2026-06-23 10:38] (current) – [Solvents not on the permitted list] robert
@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
   * __Hexane__ — permitted for use in the production of certain fats and oils, including extraction of vegetable oils and the refining of olive oil. Algal oil producers (particularly those working with cold-press residues or dried biomass) may use hexane; maximum residue in the final product is 1 mg/kg. This is one of the more tightly controlled permitted solvents given hexane's known toxicity.
   * __Acetone__ — permitted for specific applications including carotenoid production; maximum residues apply.
-  * __Carbon dioxide (supercritical CO₂)__ — listed as a permitted extraction solvent. Supercritical CO₂ extraction is increasingly used for high-value algal pigment and oil extraction given the absence of solvent residue concerns; it may not technically leave "residues" in the meaningful sense, but its use must nonetheless comply with the Directive's framework.
+  * __Carbon dioxide (supercritical CO₂)__ — listed as a permitted extraction solvent. Supercritical CO₂ extraction is increasingly used for high-value algal pigments (astaxanthin, fucoxanthin) and oil extraction given the absence of solvent residue concerns; it may not technically leave "residues" in the meaningful sense, but its use must nonetheless comply with the Directive's framework. It seems reasonable to use food-grade CO₂. Combinations like water, methanol or ethanol co-solvents are used - they are not mentioned in the directive as a combination.
   * __Ethyl acetate__ — permitted for specific applications; used in some carotenoid extraction processes.
 === Solvents not on the permitted list ===
-Several solvents sometimes used in laboratory-scale algae research or in food ingredient production outside the EU — including certain chlorinated solvents, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), methanol, and others — are __not on the EU permitted list__ and may not legally be used in the production of food ingredients for the EU market. Industrial producers should verify the status of any solvent used in their extraction process before assuming it is compliant.
+Several solvents sometimes used in laboratory-scale algae research or in food ingredient production outside the EU — including certain chlorinated solvents, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and others (methanol has been added to the list in 2010) — are __not on the EU permitted list__ and may not legally be used in the production of food ingredients for the EU market. Industrial producers should verify the status of any solvent used in their extraction process before assuming it is compliant. Some combinations of solvents (mainly with hexane) are explicitly forbidden.
+At the time of writing, no switchable solvents, deep eutectic solvents, or ionic solvents (green or not) are on the list.
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