Number
149-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Manufacture of food products
Function
Other
Process
Other
Product category
other
Application
Production of decaffeinated coffee
Abstract
Use of carbon dioxide as alternative for caffeine extraction is already a known alternative to the use of other hazardous substances like dichloromethane, trichloroethylene or ethyl acetate.
Substituted substances
Dichloromethane
CAS No. 75-09-2 EC No. 200-838-9 Index No. 602-004-00-3
Chemical group
Chlorinated Halocarbons
Classification: hazard statements
H351 Suspected of causing cancer
Other adverse effects
The substance is: 2B carcinogen (IARC) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Trichloroethylene
CAS No. 79-01-6 EC No. 201-167-4 Index No. 602-027-00-9
Chemical group
Organochloride compound, halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon
Classification: hazard statements
H350 May cause cancer
H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H315 Causes skin irritation
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Other adverse effects
The substance is: 2A carcinogen (IARC), neurotoxic cat. 4 (Vela et al.) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Ethyl acetate
CAS No. 141-78-6 EC No. 205-500-4 Index No. 607-022-00-5
Chemical group
Carboxylic acid esters
Classification: hazard statements
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Alternative Substances
Carbon dioxide
CAS No. 124-38-9 EC No. 204-696-9 Index No.
Chemical group
Carbonyl compounds
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
CMR
neurotoxicant
Hazard Assessment
Substance to be substituted: Trichloroethylene is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH authorisation list, according to Article 62 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006. (REACH Regulation). Dichloromethane is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH restriction list, according to Article 73 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006. (REACH Regulation). Alternative substance: Carbon dioxide is not toxic and has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation), but leakages in confined, unventilated spaces may be hazardous due to oxygen replacement. It is not listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and unless it is generated as by- product or recovered from a natural source, the technology may contribute to increasing the company's carbon footprint.
Description of Substitution
Decaffeinated coffee has the advantage of avoiding health problems and discomfort for people with high blood pressure or other conditions. Extracting caffeine is not new but the means of doing it have evaluated from highly toxic solvents (like dichloromethane, trichloroethylene, which are still in use in some countries) to healthier alternatives, like supercritical carbon dioxide. Supercritical carbon dioxide is forced through green coffee beans. Its gas-like behaviour lets it penetrate deep into the beans, dissolving 97-99% of the caffeine. The quality of treated coffee is superior to that obtained by organic solvent extraction.
Case/substitution evaluation
Extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide is effective and in total safer than organic solvent extraction of caffeine from coffee.
State of implementation
In use
Availability ofAlternative
Alternative available on the market.
Type of information supplier
Research
Contact
Frostburg State University Maryland USA, Dept. of Chemistry, https://www.frostburg.edu/
Other solutions
Genetic engineering: inactivating the gene that codes for caffeine synthase, is still under research and may generate an adverse raction of people contesting genetic modifiedorganisms.
Type of publication and availability
Internet presentation, freely available
Publication source: author, company, institute, year
The presentation is published by the Frostburg State University Maryland USA, Dept. of Chemistry.
Publication source
Type of publication and availability
http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/consumer/faq/decaffeinating-coffee.shtml
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021