Supercritical carbon dioxide hop extraction

The hop of Magnum cultivar was extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide (SFE-as extractant). Extraction was carried out in the two steps: the first one being carried out at 150 bar and 40°C for 2.5 h (Extract A), and the second was the extraction of the same hop sample at 300 bar and 40°C for 2.5 h (Extract B). Extraction kinetics of the system hop-SFE-CO2 was investigated. Two of four most common compounds of hop aroma (α-humulene and β-caryophyllene) were detected in Extract A. Isomerised α-acids and β-acids were detected too. a-Acid content in Extract B was high (that means it is a bitter variety of hop). Mathematical modeling using empirical model characteristic time model and simple single sphere model has been performed on Magnum cultivar extraction experimental results. Characteristic time model equations, best fitted experimental results. Empirical model equation, fitted results well, while simple single sphere model equation poorly approximated the results.