Table 1.

Overview of advantages and limitations of the SC-CO2-based techniques.

SCF Technique	Advantages	Limitations
RESS, RESOLV	Single-step particle production. No/low amount of organic solvent required. Final product properties can be controlled by controlling the process parameters. The final product is free of residual solvent.	Solute should be solid or amorphous. The solubility of solute is selective for low molecular weight polymer and small molecules.
SAS, GAS, SEDS	Milder process parameters (temperature and pressure required) compared to RESS. Overcomes the limitation of solute solubility in SC-CO2. Encapsulation of labile active substances is possible.	Use of organic solvent. Some biopolymers tend to plasticize in presence of SC-CO2.
PGSS	Organic solvent free process. Homogeneous product obtained. Encapsulation of labile active substances is possible.	Particle aggregation can occur during the product formation. Nozzle blockage can occur.
SFEE	Wider range of biopolymers can be processed including PCL and PMMA. Encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs, proteins and essential oils is possible. Monodisperse particle production.	Multiple steps required. Organic solvent is used.