Supercritical CO₂ extraction: Methodological approaches and practical applications for vaporizing agro-industrial secondary products

Secondary products from the agro-industrial complex in the Republic of Moldova are potential resources for biorefineries, that is, which process secondary bioproducts into raw materials for the production of value-added products. Rich in multifunctional biologically active compounds—including fatty and essential oils, phenolic substances, dietary fibers and other metabolites with demonstrated health benefits—they offer significant potential for the development of value-added ingredients. Supercritical CO₂ extraction (SFE-CO₂) provides a sustainable, selective and solvent-free method for isolating such compounds, particularly from plant- and animal-derived residues. This research presents a methodological overview and practical case applications of SFE-CO₂ for the valorization of agro-industrial byproducts. Emphasis is placed on extraction principles, selective programming strategies and the technological advantages of supercritical processing. Examples from grape pomace, Ginkgo biloba leaves, insect biomass and other secondary materials illustrate the capacity of SFE-CO₂ to obtain high-quality extracts suitable for use in dietary supplements, food formulations, cosmetic products and pharmaceutical applications. The analysis demonstrates that SFE-CO₂ is a key technology for implementing innovative, waste-free biorefinery processes.