Pycnogenol Extraction from Pine Bark: Industrial Process Overview

Commercial Pycnogenol® (standardized French maritime pine bark extract) production:

1. Harvesting: Pinus pinaster bark from sustainably managed forests (Les Landes, France).
2. Drying: Controlled temperature (45–50°C) to preserve procyanidins.
3. Milling: Coarse powder increases surface area.
4. Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE): CO₂ at high pressure/temperature selectively extracts oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) without thermal degradation or solvent residue.
5. Purification: Filtration, chromatography, crystallization to isolate standardized fractions.
6. Standardization: 65–75% procyanidins (by HPLC), specific phenolic profile.
7. Quality Control: Identity, purity, potency, contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, microbes) per pharmacopeial standards.

SFE ensures consistent, solvent-free, high-potency extract. Final product used in supplements, cosmetics, functional foods with clinically studied dosing (50–300 mg/day).