Abstract: In this process a percolation of supercritical gas through the starting material is conducted, the carbon dioxide loading with extractable compounds, then, when the percolation pressure reaches a predetermined value, the percolation medium is let down, feeding the latter into a separation zone in which the volatile compounds are trapped in the solid carbon dioxide formed, these compounds being recovered in aqueous solution after sublimation of CO.sub.2. According to the invention, the extraction is conducted, in the separation zone, in the presence of a trapping medium suitable for retaining the volatile compounds, advantageously a medium which has very low solubility in liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2 and is capable of dissolving the volatile compounds (glycerol or edible oil) or of complexing these (cyclodextrins). The starting material chosen has a lipid content which is not excessively high (especially fruits and derived products).