Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of concentrated extracts from fresh plants or parts thereof by extraction with carbon dioxide at supercritical pressure, wherein the extraction is carried out at 0.degree. to 40.degree. C. and the separation of the concentrated extract is carried out at a subcritical temperature and subcritical pressure.

Abstract: A method is described for drying extracts of natural substances obtained by high-pressure extraction with liquefied gases or gases in the supercritical state; it consists in treating the gas stream that is charged with the extract with a solid drying agent, preferably calcium sulfate, in powder or granular form.

Abstract: A process for recovering flavoring substances from the vanilla capsule with carbon dioxide under fluid conditions is described, which consists in performing the extraction at temperatures between 10.degree. and 30.degree. C. and pressures of 80 to 350 bar, and producing the separation of the extract at temperatures of 0.degree. to 30.degree. C. and pressures of 30 to 60 bar. In this manner it is possible by a one-step process to extract all of the flavoring substances of the vanilla capsule with the recovery of a highly concentrated vanilla flavoring, and to obtain a material which is considerably superior to the products obtained by conventional extraction with organic solvents.