Have you ever wondered how CBD is extracted from the stalks of hemp? Yes, we all enjoy the CBD crumbles in smoothies and other CBD infused products, but we hardly know anything about its production processes.
The objective of CBD extraction process is to collect as highly concentrated cannabinoids as possible along with other cannabis compounds. The extraction must eliminate impurities in any form, especially the metallic collections which could pose a great danger if not thorough.
CBD manufacturers choose their extraction processes differently and their selling price depends hugely on these processes. This is exactly why some CBD oils are more expensive than the others.
There are three most common methods of CBD extraction:
1. The CO2 CBD Extraction Process
➔ Mechanism
There are three kinds of CO2 extraction- supercritical, mid-critical, and subcritical. The supercritical CO2 extraction process is by far the most popular of the three as it ensures the best results in eliminating pollutants and THC from the CBD extracts.
The working of this extraction process involves pressurized CO2 as the solvent. Using a high amount of pressure and temperature, CBD and other components of hemp are isolated from the pollutants and unwanted cannabinoids such as THC effectively.
While this method is considered to be the best when it comes to CBD extraction, the equipment used for this process is extremely expensive. CO2 is frozen and compressed into the supercritical liquid state. The method is called supercritical because CO2 is frozen to cold ice and then turned to cold liquid state back and forth. The temperatures are fluctuated using freezer and heater making the entire equipment and process critical.
➔ Pros
● CO2 is a dependable extraction solvent as it is being used by various industries since many years.
● Exceedingly efficient in removing pollutants giving CBD extracts free of chlorophyll, metallic impurities, THC, etc.
➔ Cons
● The equipment is flauntingly expensive making it a desirable but not achievable method. The entire set-up costs about $40,000.
● Because the process is supercritical and involves complex concepts, no amateur can have a hand at it. A professional chemist is what you might need to run it smoothly.
2. The Solvent CBD Extraction Process
➔ Mechanism
Comparatively simpler, solvent CBD extraction process uses ethanol (a low-grade alcohol) or butane as solvents to extract CBD and other hemp compounds. When ethanol is used as a solvent, it agreeably extracts all the components including CBD and terpenes but it is not able to strip away the chlorophyll in the plant. This makes the extracted material a bit unpleasant.
Using Butane as a solvent solves this issue and is able to side-by chlorophyll. However, being a stronger solvent than ethanol, it gives a burning sensation in the lungs when consumed.
The process of extraction is quite simple. All you have to do is to add the solvent which is in a liquid state in the extracted material. This addition will separate the cannabinoids and terpenes from the pollutants. Heating the mixture will lead to evaporation of the unwanted material giving us only the concentrated form of full-spectrum CBD oil.
➔ Pros
● Although cheaper, this process can give you a commendable quality of CBD oil if high-grade alcohol is used as a solvent.
● No bulky investments and the simplicity of the process allows even the primary operators work efficiently with the equipment.
➔ Cons
● Now, who needs a reminder that alcohol and butane are inflammable? The risk involved in the process is dangerously high as fire and alcohol will be in the same room.
● Because the solvent used can’t be termed standard and is not, chlorophyll and inability to filter other contaminants can affect the quality of the oil.
3. The Dry Ice CBD Extraction Process
➔ Mechanism
Even simpler than solvent-based extraction, the dry ice CBD extraction process can also be performed at home. However, it can get a bit messy and lengthy if executed at home using the domestic appliances.
You are required to chop off the hemp stalks in small pieces and put them in a bucket. Cover the plant cuttings with dry ice and leave it for 3 minutes. Cover the bucket with 73- micron bag and shake the mixture for around 4 minutes. This removes the frozen trichomes.
The bucket is then to be inverted on a Plexiglas to shake off the resin as much as possible. The process is to be repeated with 160 and 220- micron bags to get three different trains of the extract.
➔ Pros
● Doesn’t require high-end apparatus or solvents
● Compared to other methods, it yields more oil
➔ Cons
● The quality of the extract is low and you might need to follow the process strictly for a usable product
● Availing dry ice is difficult especially in the quantity required for the process
Conclusion
These three techniques of CBD extraction is responsible for the quality and the price of the product. Thus, if you buy CBD oils online, check out the brand for its extraction process before deciding to pay the asked price. According to me, you should always choose a brand which uses CO2 extraction process for your money’s worth.
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