Abstract: The present invention is a method of extracting the oxygen-containing flavor and fragrance compounds from oils obtained from natural products. Extraction is accomplished by the use of cold water typically below 100° C., but more typically below 50° C., to produce a weak aqueous solution. The oxygen-containing compounds are then concentrated by adsorption on to an appropriate solid material and then washed off by an organic solvent, such as ethanol. The resulting product is a solution in the organic solvent.

Abstract: A compressed gas, e.g. carbon dioxide, is injected under pressure into a press to increase the yield of oil from a natural material. The effect is brought about by the gas dissolving in the oil. The mass of gas required is typically less, often much less, than the mass of natural product.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is adapted to manipulate the chemical properties of water in order to improve the effectiveness of a desired process. The method involves heating the water in the vessel to subcritical temperatures between 100° to 374° C. while maintaining sufficient pressure to the water to maintain the water in the liquid state. Various physiochemical properties of the water can be manipulated including polarity, solute solubility, surface tension, viscosity, and the disassociation constant. The method of the present invention has various uses including extracting organics from solids and semisolids such as soil, selectively extracting desired organics from liquids, selectively separating organics using sorbent phases, enhancing reactions by controlling the disassociation constant of water, cleaning waste water, removing organics from water using activated carbon or other suitable sorbents, and degrading various compounds.