Recent medical research shows that Cannabinoid (CBD) has the potential to ease symptoms of various ailments such as cancer, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis and more. CBD, which is one of the 85 different compounds that naturally occur in a cannabis plant, is growing in popularity for its medical applications.
CBD products act as:
- Antioxidants
- Antipsychotics
- Anticonvulsants
- Anti-inflammatories
The users cannot gain these benefits from just buying a hemp plant from a supplier. The compound that offers these excellent benefits must be extracted and transformed into a consumable product by a professional.
Ethanol extraction is one of the best methods to extract CBD oils.
How Ethanol Extraction Process Works
The ethanol extraction method involves introducing a solvent (ethanol) to the hemp plant to extract the cannabinoid. Ethanol then helps dissolves the natural chlorophyll of the hemp plant along with essential oils and cannabinoids. This results in a green-colored CBD oil. A simple filtering process helps remove the green discoloration.
Additional steps after extraction
The CBD extract must pass through a few other processes before it is ready for pet and human consumption.
- Decarboxylation
This is the process that helps activate CBD oil. Before this process is done, the extract is still in an inactive form, and the CBD and THC present in the plant haven’t reached their full potential.
These phytocannabinoids are in an acidic state, which is better known as cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). The elements must pass through the decarboxylation process to make the inactive components active and get a high-quality end-product.
- Winterization
Winterization is the process used to remove unwanted fatty acids, chlorophyll, plant materials, terpenes, and cannabinoids found in the CBD extract. This act helps dissolve non-polar substances (such as hash oil) into a polar substance (in most cases, ethanol) at sub-zero temperatures.
The process forces lipids (fatty acids) and waxes from the crude extract to the uppermost part of the mixture. Then, they are removed through a simple filtration process.
Downsides of Ethanol Extraction
Ethanol readily mixes with water which breaks down water-soluble molecules such as chlorophyll. Unfortunately, chlorophyll is one major “undesirable” ingredient. The ethanol extraction method can produce a green, grassy product which is also undesirable.
Some industry leaders like Capna Sytems have invented ways to reduce the need for additional processes during the ethanol extraction method. For example, by using multiple ethanol extractions, they mitigate the presence of chlorophyll among other undesirables.
Why Ethanol Extraction is the Safest Method
According to the FDA, ethanol is the safest method of extraction and is already being used in the extraction of many other conventional medicines and foods.
The main aim of extraction is to produce cannabinoids that are not just pure but also highly concentrated for pet and human consumption. Unlike other methods of extraction, ethanol extraction provides a high-quality end product with up to 99% purity. Also, it is one of the cheapest and most efficient methods available.
