Kava Fact of the Day Supercritical CO2 Extracts

[The Kap'n]

(Image courtesy of Gourmet Hawaiian Kava)​

Supercritical CO2 Extracts

In this study the safety of a CO2 extract was studied against aqueous extraction. CO2 extract was also tested on liver cells to test for cellular toxicity. It was found that CO2 extracts of kava display a similar kavalactone profile to the kava root from which it was extracted. Surprisingly this study found an increase in cell viability when tested against HepG2 liver cells. Application of standard root showed no significant change. The unexpected result of increased activity may suggest the possibility of a non-kavalactone component not found or minimized in the CO2 extract that has a negative impact on cell viability. Levels of cytotoxic chalcones (FKA, FKB, FKC) were reduced as a percentage of total kavalactone content in CO2 extracts adding to the likelihood that supercritical extracts may contain a degree of safety over other solvent extracts. This study suggests the safety profile of supercritical CO2 extracts of noble kava at least mirror that of traditionally prepared noble kava.





Petersen GE, Tang Y, Fields C. Chemical and in vitro toxicity analysis of a supercritical fluid extract of Kava kava (Piper methysticum). J Ethnopharmacol. 2019 May 10;235:301-308. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.01.032. Epub 2019 Jan 30. PMID: 30710733.

 

[fueledbykava]

Wow very interesting study! It's very promising to hear that extracts may be safe for consumption, after all.

 

[The Kap'n]

Wow very interesting study! It's very promising to hear that extracts may be safe for consumption, after all.

The kicker is, and seems like it always will be, starting material. If your kava is excellent going in, it will be excellent coming out. If it's crap going in, it'll be the same coming out.

 

[Alia]

Thanks to @Kapmcrunk for a great, easy to understand summary. Just wanted to point out that the paper does (in a roundabout way) explain that aqueous kava does not have any relation to the liver controversy-- at least that can be directly, scientifically correlated. The only problem I'd have with this paper is it seems the authors are employees of Applied Food Sciences which appears to be the manufacturer of the product. Also @fueledbykava -- I'd say this paper indicates that this specific extract is safe, but not necessarily all extracts.


"This study was funded and samples (KAVOA™ and kava root) were provided by Applied Food Sciences, Inc. (Austin, TX) G.E.P, Y.T., and C.F. are employees of Applied Food Sciences, Inc."

 

[fueledbykava]

Great responses, and yes there could be a conflict of interest issue with their funding in this case, which is unfortunate. I have a lot of issue with extracts of anything, (as we've seen in a few different cases already here in the US). Unless science can pretty definitively and repeatedly show what the maximum safe level of kavalactones are by the kavalactone, specifically, and what other constituents of the plant that these extracts may be magnifying the presence of and their respective safeties, I'll probably stick to traditional prep as it's always been done and pretty much known to be safe (assuming noble varieties).

 

[The Kap'n]

Unless science can pretty definitively and repeatedly show what the maximum safe level of kavalactones are by the kavalactone, specifically, and what other constituents of the plant that these extracts may be magnifying the presence of and their respective safeties, I'll probably stick to traditional prep as it's always been done and pretty much known to be safe (assuming noble varieties).

That's when it gets fun. Isolated kavalactones have even been shown to be toxic in vivo when not combined in a whole extract preparation. Together, no problems. Safe from now into infinity. Alone, and you could possibly start seeing issues. The dynamic action of this plant makes it such that when one door opens, it just leads to a room with countless more doors.

 

[fueledbykava]

That's when it gets fun. Isolated kavalactones have even been shown to be toxic in vivo when not combined in a whole extract preparation. Together, no problems. Safe from now into infinity. Alone, and you could possibly start seeing issues. The dynamic action of this plant makes it such that when one door opens, it just leads to a room with countless more doors.

Wow, the plot thickens!