Safe and Effective CO2 Extraction Methods

Supercritical CO2 extraction is a method that uses high pressure and temperature to force carbon dioxide into a different phase. Changing the temperature and pressure of a reaction with CO2 makes it possible to get a large variety of different products. When plant matter undergoes a phase transition, the relative abundances of its constituent parts may become unstable.

CO2 is Quick, Safe, and Clean.

The removal of CO2 has a positive economic impact. It allows the production of oil that is free from contaminants, easy to refine, and beneficial to the environment. Due to the solvent being stuck in the oil, procedures that employ toxic solvents may take a long time to complete. In a wide variety of applications, CO2 has shown to be the most effective commercial process gas.

CO2 allows you to "tune" the extraction process, which is especially useful when used with a device that will separate components during the extraction. Different working modes allow you to zero in on certain compounds, such as terpenes (terpenoids) and THC/CBD (cannabinoids). CO2 has many uses beyond only cleaning and preserving food, and it can even generate food- and medical-grade oils in the correct system and climate. 

The CO2 extraction technique is clean, safe, and very flexible, making it a viable option for extracting a wide variety of plant materials, including hops, kava kava, essential oils, and more.

Assessing the Productivity of the Extracting Method

When comparing the efficiency of different extraction methods, the overall yield is not very relevant.

It is common practice to collect yield information for the purposes of building financial models, calculating return on investment, etc. However, the results of any extraction process are subject to the quality of the input. Each strain of cannabis has its own unique cannabinoid profile, on top of the distinctions between Indica and Sativa. Most plants are grown for the express purpose of producing either a high quantity of THC or a high quantity of CBD, however, hybrids do exist. The amount of THC recovered as a percentage of the amount of THC in the feedstock is the most reliable measure of extraction yield.

Is There Any Advantage to Using Supercritical CO2 for Removal?

The "gold standard" in cannabis extraction procedures is supercritical CO2 extraction as it is safer, more effective, and cleaner than other extraction methods. For instance, heavy metal residues may be left behind during butane extraction. An evaluation found that cannabinoids, waxes, and rosins extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide were the purest possible. Although carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, its removal from the natural environment, use in an extraction process, and subsequent return to the atmosphere do not lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Another advantage of supercritical CO2extraction is that it allows for the separation of individual compounds. The food processing industries of such nations often include large-scale commercial facilities using a supercritical CO2 extraction. Coffee is decaffeinated using supercritical CO2 extraction equipment, which is an interesting bit of trivia to learn.

Full Variety Extracts: What Are They?

Full spectrum extracts deliver a more full flavor and effect experience. These extracts, which demand significantly more complex technology and talent to generate, will continue to be highly valuable. To determine the effectiveness and chemical equilibrium of full-spectrum extracts, it is necessary to compare the THC, cannabinoid, and terpene profiles of the feedstock and the extract. You can also check out, Thar Process.

Cannabis plants are made up of a complicated blend of compounds, and it is these chemicals that decide the outcome, taste, and scent of the flowers. The whole spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other chemicals make up cannabis flowers. Many extractors don't have the organic chemistry training needed to fully understand the intricate processes involved in making a top-notch extract. This leads them to keep making mistakes while trying to improve and purify their extracts. A THC extract that is 95% pure suggests that almost all of the plant's therapeutic characteristics were lost in the extraction procedure. Some could compare breathing an extract with up to 95% pure THC to the difference between eating manufactured food and drinking freshly squeezed fruit juice.