The present invention provides a method of producing particles via a
supercritical fluid processing technique, an apparatus for carrying out
the method and the particles produced thereby. The method includes: (1)
providing: a supercritical fluid; a first solvent that is soluble in the
supercritical fluid; a second solvent that is substantially insoluble in
the supercritical fluid and is at least partially soluble in or miscible
with the first solvent; and a solute that is soluble in the first solvent
and is substantially insoluble in the second solvent and the
supercritical fluid; (2) contacting the first solvent, the second solvent
and the solute together to form a solution; and (3) contacting the
solution with the supercritical fluid to extract the first solvent from
the solution and precipitate the solute in the form of particles that are
suspended in the second solvent.