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Calendula

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COMERG • Calendula extraction

Calendula Marigold

Calendula officinalis L.

Turn calendula flowers into a soothing, skin-loving cosmetic extract with COMERG equipment. Our cold, room-temperature, low-pressure process captures the calming terpenoids and golden carotenoids of the pot marigold, the compounds skincare formulators reach for, with no heat to degrade them.

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Skin-soothing extract

The flower

The golden healer of the garden

Calendula, the pot marigold, has been a skin-soothing remedy in Europe since the twelfth century. Its bright orange petals are rich in calming terpenoids like bisabolol and the faradiol family, plus the carotenoids that give the flower, and the extract, their warm golden-orange colour.

We work with dried calendula flowers, milled and processed cold so those gentle, skin-friendly compounds survive. Nothing is added, and the soothing, antioxidant character of the bloom carries straight into the extract. This is true Calendula officinalis, the pot marigold, not the unrelated Tagetes.

Raw material

Botanical nameCalendula officinalis L.
FamilyAsteraceae
Plant partFlowers
ConditionDried, ground
OriginBulgaria
AvailabilityAll year

The extract

What the process delivers

Run on COMERG equipment, calendula flowers yield a rich, standardised cosmetic extract, batch after batch. Because the extraction is cold and solvent-light, with no high heat, the soothing terpenoids and the golden carotenoid colour carry straight through. The figures below are typical of a standardised BMar-15.1 grade.

≥15%Volatile oil v/w
8.3%a-Bisabolone oxide
10.32DPPH IC50 mg/ml
<25 °CExtraction temp
~120 kgFlowers per kg extract
<0.1 g/kgSolvent residue

The method

Cold extraction, in three steps

No heat, no leftover solvent. This is what happens inside a COMERG aerosol system, and why the extract keeps the soothing actives and the warm colour of the flower.

1

Pressurised R134a flooding

Non-toxic liquefied R134a gas is introduced to the milled calendula flowers at controlled, low pressure. There is no heat, the cycle begins and stays at room temperature.

2

Selective compound dissolution

The liquid gas gently dissolves the soothing terpenoids, the carotenoids and the lipophilic actives, while the delicate, skin-friendly molecules stay intact.

3

Recovery and pure extract

The R134a is fully recovered and recycled in a closed loop. What is left is a concentrated calendula extract, at least 15% volatile oil, with under 0.1 g/kg residue.

Composition profile

The compound fingerprint

Principal constituents identified by GC-MS, each above 1%. The soothing bisabolone oxides lead, alongside the green terpenes, while the heavier carotenoids and faradiol-type esters carry calendula's skincare value and its colour.

a-Bisabolone oxide
8.3%
beta-Farnesene
8.1%
beta-Pinene
7.9%
a-Bisabolone oxide A
7.3%
a-Pinene
6.8%
gamma-Cadinene
5.5%
p-Cymene
5.4%
gamma-Terpinene
5.1%
0%4%6%8%+

Faradiol-type esters and carotenoids carry calendula's soothing, antioxidant character and its warm colour. Other extractables present. Per-batch GC-MS report available on request.

Specification

BMar-15.1 at a glance

Identity & origin

Botanical nameCalendula officinalis L.
Plant partFlowers
OriginBulgaria
Product codeBMar-15.1
CAS No.84776-23-8
EINECS No.283-949-5

Production

MethodLiquefied-gas extraction
TemperatureBelow 25 °C
SolventFood-grade (Dir. 97/60/EC)
Solvent residue< 0.1 g/kg
StandardisationDeclared volatile oil
Concentration1 kg ≈ 100-140 kg flowers

Physical

AppearanceRed-orange viscous liquid
Volatile oil15-20% v/w (ASTA)
INCI nameCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Density995-1059 g/l
Refractive index1.49-1.53
Acid value19.8-43.1 mg KOH/g

Solubility & output

In oilsFully soluble
In 40% alcoholPartial
In waterInsoluble
Flash point> 100 °C
ContainerLined aluminium bottle
Shelf life2 years

Why calendula, why cold

A soothing flower, captured whole

A concentrated bloom

Calendula officinalis, Bulgaria

Plant partFlowers, milled
Flowers per kg extract~100-140 kg
Volatile oil≥ 15% v/w
AntioxidantDPPH IC50 10.32 mg/ml

Captured cold

Versus heat-based methods

Soothing terpenoidsPreserved
Carotenoid colourRetained
Process temperature< 25 °C
Skin-friendly activesIntact

Applications

What you can make

Soothing skincare Balms & creams Sensitive & after-sun Serums & facial oils Baby & barrier care Natural cosmetics

This calendula extract is for cosmetic use, not for food. It can be used concentrated or diluted in a carrier oil, with typical filling rates of 0.1 to 0.3% in the finished formula. Like all our extracts it is a raw material for formulation, not for direct or undiluted use.

Why the COMERG line

Built for delicate actives like calendula

Calendula's value is in soothing terpenoids and carotenoids that heat and oxygen can degrade. Our line is engineered around protecting exactly that kind of gentle, skin-friendly chemistry.

Room temperatureR134a aerosol extraction works cold and at low pressure, so the soothing actives and the carotenoid colour are never cooked off.
Protects the activesThe bisabolol-family terpenoids and faradiol esters behind calendula's calm come through intact, not heat-damaged.
Fully automatedClosed-loop systems run the cycle for you, so results stay consistent and one operator can handle the line.
Fast cycles, high yieldLow-pressure extraction is quick and recovers up to 97% of the flower's compounds, more than older high-pressure CO2 lines.
Scales with youFrom a 10 l pilot unit to 2000 l production, the same method grows from R&D batches to full output.
Clean and economicalIt uses around 85% less energy than solvent methods and needs no special hazardous-location facility.

Why it wins

Compared to the alternatives

Against steam distillation, solvent and CO2, cold R134a extraction keeps more of calendula's soothing actives and its golden colour.

FeatureCOMERG R134aSteam distillationSolventCO₂ supercritical
Process temperature< 25 °C (room temp)100-150 °C40-70 °C31-80 °C
Soothing activesPreservedPartly degradedMostly keptMostly kept
Carotenoid colourRetainedFaded by heatRetainedRetained
Compound recoveryup to 97%70-85%80-90%85-92%
Solvent residue< 0.1 g/kgNoneNeeds post-purgeNone
Energy use85% less vs solventHighMedium-highVery high
Special facilityNot requiredNot requiredRequiredHigh-pressure safety

From flower to extract

The machines for calendula

A complete COMERG line takes calendula from fresh flower to a finished extract. These are the core stages, each available as standalone equipment.

View all equipment
Product specificationFull composition, properties, packaging and handling for calendula extract BMar-15.1.
Download PDF

Questions

Calendula extraction, explained

A 100% natural calendula flower extract from Calendula officinalis, product code BMar-15.1. It reaches at least 15% volatile oil, rich in soothing terpenoids and carotenoids, with no additives.

Liquefied food-grade gas extraction at room temperature, below 25 °C, and low pressure. Because there is no high heat, the delicate skin-friendly compounds are preserved and solvent residue stays below 0.1 g/kg.

Calendula's soothing terpenoids and its carotenoid colour are sensitive to heat and oxidation. Cold R134a extraction concentrates them gently, so the extract keeps its skincare value and its warm golden tone.

Roughly 1 kg of extract represents around 100 to 140 kg of calendula flowers.

No. This calendula extract is for cosmetic use, not for food. Typical filling rates are 0.1 to 0.3% in the finished formula, and it is not intended for direct consumption or undiluted use.

Yes. The same cold process runs from a 10 l pilot unit to 2000 l production systems, so you can start small and grow without changing method.

Yes. A per-batch GC-MS analysis is available on request, and a Safety Data Sheet per 2006/1907/EC is supplied with the product.

Set up your calendula line

Tell us your throughput and target product. We will recommend the right system, share a yield estimate for your calendula flowers, and reply with pricing and lead time, usually within 48 hours.

COMERG extracts are raw materials for product formulation. They are not intended for direct consumption or for undiluted topical application in cosmetics, perfumery or aromatherapy. This information is provided to the best of our knowledge and is not a substitute for prior testing of suitability for the intended use. Keep away from children.

The calendula line

Equipment for processing calendula

The machines below make up the calendula line, the equipment that takes the flower through to a finished extract. Request a quote on any unit and we will reply with pricing and lead time.

  • 1000L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    1000L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    An industrial-scale aerosol extraction system for very high-volume, room-temperature, residue-free processing of any botanical.

  • 100L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    100L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    A commercial-scale low-pressure aerosol system that gently extracts essential oils and aromatics from any botanical at room temperature, with no residue.

  • 10L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    10L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    An entry-level, fully automated low-pressure aerosol system that gently extracts essential oils and aromatics from virtually any botanical at room temperature, with no residue.

  • 10T Conveyor Dryer System

    10T Conveyor Dryer System

    A continuous belt dryer that gently dries freshly harvested botanical biomass on a four-layer, 12 m mesh belt at an adjustable 0-90 °C, fed and discharged automatically.

  • 150L Fully Automated Compound Remediation System

    150L Fully Automated Compound Remediation System

    A production-scale system that refines large lots of botanical extract to a fixed specification at room temperature, with no thermal damage to the active profile.

  • 2000L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    2000L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    Our largest aerosol extraction platform, built for maximum-volume industrial production with the same gentle, residue-free low-pressure process.

  • 200L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    200L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    A high-capacity commercial low-pressure aerosol system for room-temperature, residue-free extraction of essential oils and aromatics from any botanical.

  • 20L Aerosol Extraction System

    20L Aerosol Extraction System

    A compact production-scale low-pressure aerosol system that gently extracts essential oils and aromatics from any botanical at room temperature, with no residue.

  • 20L MAX HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    20L MAX HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    A dual-vessel 20L MAX system that doubles throughput while keeping the same gentle, room-temperature, residue-free aerosol extraction for any botanical.

  • 25L Fully Automated Compound Remediation System

    25L Fully Automated Compound Remediation System

    A pilot-scale system that scales a validated remediation method to repeatable batches, stripping targeted impurities from extract while protecting the active profile.

  • 30L Ultrasonic Extraction System

    30L Ultrasonic Extraction System

    A 30L ultrasonic-assisted extraction system that uses 20 kHz cavitation to rupture plant cells and release oils into solvent quickly, at low temperature, with vacuum filtration.

  • 500L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    500L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    A large-scale industrial aerosol system delivering high-volume, room-temperature, residue-free botanical extraction at low pressure.

  • 500L Vacuum Drying Oven with Drawer

    500L Vacuum Drying Oven with Drawer

    A production-scale 18 cu ft vacuum oven with a pull-out drawer and integrated pump that purges and dries large batches of botanical extract at low temperature.

  • 50L Crystallization Reactor

    50L Crystallization Reactor

    A 50L jacketed reactor that crystallises high-purity botanical isolates from a distilled feed under precise temperature and agitation control, with repeated recrystallisation for maximum purity.

  • 50L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    50L HTE Fully Automated Aerosol Extraction System

    A floor-standing production-scale low-pressure aerosol system that gently extracts essential oils and aromatics from any botanical at room temperature, with no residue.

  • 50L Vacuum Drying Oven

    50L Vacuum Drying Oven

    A compact 2 cu ft vacuum oven that purges residual solvent and gently dries botanical extracts at low temperature under vacuum, protecting colour, aroma and actives.