Baobab oil extracted using a clean, solvent-free CO2 method produced a lower yield (9.3%) than traditional pressing (37%), but the oil that was extracted had a superior fatty acid profile with high levels of oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids—the same beneficial fats found in warm-pressed versions. The process resulted in pure oil with no chemical residue, making it viable for clean beauty products.

Researchers optimized a supercritical CO2 extraction process (no added solvents) using response surface methodology to find the best temperature and pressure conditions for pulling oil from baobab seeds.

Funding not disclosed in abstract