What factors should be considered when selecting an extraction method for medicinal products and what are their main differences?
When choosing an extraction method for cannabis-based pharmaceutical products, it’s crucial to have a clear vision of your goals. Start by determining what you want to produce and the final form of the extracted material, whether it’s oil, concentrate, or isolate. Another key factor is the importance of maintaining the original terpene profile, as different methods affect this in various ways.
The most common extraction methods in cannabis are hydrocarbon, ethanol, CO2, and mechanical separation like solventless extraction, each with its advantages. CO2, hydrocarbon, and solventless methods are excellent for preserving the terpene profile, making them ideal when the plant’s scent and flavor are essential. While these characteristics may matter to producers and patients, prescribing specialists primarily focus on cannabinoid content. Therefore, flavor and aroma might not be the highest priority for medical cannabis extracts and are typically not considered by prescribers.
Hydrocarbon extraction is regarded as one of the most efficient methods, requiring minimal post-processing, meaning the extracted material is closer to its final purified form compared to CO2 and ethanol methods. However, hydrocarbon extraction has limitations in scalability and comes with stringent safety requirements due to the low boiling points of the solvents, which are highly combustible. This necessitates additional planning and safety measures, increasing setup costs.
Ethanol is often favored for bulk processing due to its straightforward and efficient process, making it ideal for operators handling large quantities with minimal complexity. Ethanol extraction efficiently removes compounds from the plant and, after further purification, creates a high-purity foundation that is nearly odorless and flavorless, making it perfect for the additional refinement needed for distillate or isolate-based products. However, because ethanol is flammable, it necessitates careful planning for proper storage and detection systems.
CO2 is a popular choice for cannabis extraction and is also widely used in essential oil extraction because it effectively removes oils without leaving residue. It is cleaner and more environmentally friendly than many other solvents, making it preferred for sustainable practices. While CO2 isn’t entirely risk-free, it presents significantly fewer safety concerns compared to ethanol or hydrocarbon methods.
Both CO2 and ethanol extractions require post-processing, adding days of refinement and additional equipment, which can increase the overall investment. Conversely, solventless methods mechanically separate cannabinoids and terpenes without chemicals. Popular in recreational markets, solventless extraction is favored for being a cleaner process since it avoids chemical dissolution of cannabis trichomes. Although solventless methods often require less upfront investment and lower operating costs than solvent-based techniques, they may face scalability limitations.
Selecting the right extraction method depends on several factors, including the products you plan to make and your market’s regulatory requirements. Additionally, consider the method’s scalability and footprint. Since extraction systems represent a significant investment, ROI should be evaluated by considering CapEx, OpEx, production capacity, efficiency, maintenance, scalability, and potential revenue streams. At Paralab Green, we provide tailored solutions to help you choose the best extraction method for your production needs.
How is the extraction yield determined and what factors can influence the overall efficiency of the process?
There are several factors that influence the efficiency of cannabis extraction, including the type of starting material, the extraction method used, and the steps taken afterward (downstream processes).
In the cannabis industry, producers typically calculate yield based on the amount of usable material extracted from the total volume of raw material processed. For pharmaceutical manufacturing, yield calculations ensure that the material produced meets both quality and quantity standards. When producing medicinal cannabis, it’s crucial to accurately calculate yield while also ensuring the process can be consistently repeated.
However, yield alone doesn’t tell the full story because it doesn’t reflect the amount of THC or other cannabinoids in the extract. That’s why extraction efficiency is equally important. Extraction efficiency measures how much THC is extracted compared to how much was available in the raw material (feedstock). This helps assess how well the process captures cannabinoids. The potency of the starting material also directly impacts the potency of the extracted material, which in turn affects profitability.
Along with the quality and consistency of the starting material, other important factors like pressure, temperature, input weight, and extraction time play a role in determining the efficiency of the extraction process.
At Paralab Green, we look at the entire extraction process, from preparation of the raw material to downstream processes. We know that preparation methods, such as drying, milling, and decarboxylation, can influence certain extraction methods. For instance, milling the material can improve the efficiency of extraction, but if milled too finely, it can also allow undesirable compounds like chlorophyll to slip into the extract. Adjustments in preparation need to be made based on both the quality of the starting material and the chosen extraction method.
When considering extraction equipment, it’s important to estimate your initial yield. You’ll then need to fine-tune those estimates when the system is up and running and use the actual yields to create standard operating procedures (SOPs). For example, if you extract 600 grams of material from 6,000 grams of feedstock, your yield would be 10%.
The formula is simple:
(Extract weight ÷ Input weight) × 100% = Yield
For example, 600 g extract ÷ 6,000 g biomass = 10% yield.
Losing yield or poor efficiency can have serious financial consequences, impacting profitability. That’s why it’s important to consider every aspect of the operation, from the cultivation of the plants to the selection of the right extraction equipment and the adoption of best practices for cleaning and maintenance.
What are ‘full-spectrum extracts’ and how do they differ from isolated or broad-spectrum extracts?
Spectrum refers to the range of compounds found in the trichome glands of cannabis plants. When you hear the term full spectrum, it means that efforts have been made to preserve the plant’s original profile, including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other active compounds. The goal of full-spectrum extracts is to capture all these compounds from the trichomes without altering them, while removing undesirable fats, waxes, and lipids.
Full spectrum products, such as Full Spectrum Cannabis Oil (FSCO) and Full Extract Cannabis Oil (FECO), are often marketed as highly therapeutic due to their wide range of compounds. With higher THC concentrations, these products are commonly used in medical cannabis in Europe or available in dispensaries in recreational markets. Despite their broader compound profile, terpenes and flavonoids are typically not considered in medical prescriptions, where cannabinoid content remains the primary focus.
On the opposite end, there are isolates, which are concentrated forms of just one compound, often a cannabinoid like CBD, THCA, CBG, CBC, or CBN. One key benefit of CBD isolate is that it’s completely free of THC, making it ideal for those who prefer to avoid THC due to sensitivity, personal preference, or concerns about drug testing. However, isolates require much more purification and lack the synergistic effects found in full-spectrum products.
In the middle is broad spectrum, which typically describes CBD products containing multiple cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant, but without THC. Some broad-spectrum products may contain trace amounts of THC (typically below 0.2% in Europe and 0.3% in the US).
Both CBD isolate and broad-spectrum products are generally available without a prescription since they contain little to no THC. However, regulations vary by country, so it’s important to research local laws before purchasing broad-spectrum products online.
In terms of post-extraction processing, full spectrum products undergo the least, while isolates require the most refinement. Ultimately, choosing between full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate depends on individual needs and healthcare guidance.
