Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular hemp-derived products

Extraction must take place at the correct temperature for optimal results, especially when using ethanol extraction. If the temperature is too high, undesired and, unwanted chemicals could be extracted, ruining the product batch. This is why cold extraction has become the preferred method amongst quality distillate manufacturers. In this article, we’ll break down the science behind this amazing process and show why cold extraction is the superior process. 

How does cold extraction work? 

The Cryo Ethanol Process can function as follows:

Ethanol is first cooled to –70 degrees. It is known as cryogenic ethanol or cryo ethanol when it is this cold. Next, raw materials are fed into the extractor. Cryo ethanol is added to the extractor to separate the desired molecules and repeatedly pumped through the raw material.

Centrifugation then distinguishes the ethanol from the solid biomass (which also contains the dissolved target molecules). Minute biomass will next be separated from the ethanol solution through filtration. Finally, distillation separates the desired compounds from the ethanol. The ethanol is evaporated by heating the filtered solution, which is then condensed. High purity cannabis oil, for example, will remain after ethanol has evaporated.

Why use cold ethanol? 

There are several reasons why ethanol is an excellent solvent for extracting botanical oils, and its qualities are significantly improved upon when cold. Cryogenic extraction typically results in a pure product, eliminating the need for winterization or filtration steps.

Due to its chemical makeup, it can extract or dissolve most polar and non-polar molecules. This makes full-spectrum products possible. It removes the molecules relatively rapidly and easily because, unlike other common solvents like CO2 and hydrocarbons, it is a non-viscous liquid at ambient temperatures and pressures. 

Cold ethanol extraction techniques also have considerably faster processing times when compared to CO2 and hydrocarbons.

The temperature of the solvent can affect its capacity to properly distill plant matter, and colder temperatures generally lead to better results. Lipids and chlorophyll are two undesirable substances that are part of biological materials that need to be filtered out when extracting your desired compound. They significantly reduce the overall quality of your distillate, so it’s critical that these byproducts are entirely removed during the extraction process, and cold ethanol is easily the best method for discarding unwanted materials. Why is that so?

The straightforward response is that when chlorophyll and lipids are extracted in colder climates, they remain stuck inside the plant as frozen particles, making them easier to remove. The capacity of ethanol to dissolve polar compounds is significantly reduced when it is cold, which causes it to extract non-polar molecules first. This reduces additional steps and almost entirely eliminates the need for further filtration. 

Overall, it’s fast, low-risk, and easily scalable, making cold extraction the ideal solution for distillation.

Cold extraction is one of the most effective and reliable methods of creating high-quality, full-spectrum distillates. At Abundant Labs, we use only the best equipment to ensure that our cryo ethanol extraction process is even smoother. 

Experience the difference between crudely-extracted distillate and high-quality cryo extraction solutions with any of our retail, bulk, and wholesale products. For more information on our equipment and distillation process, visit our website at https://abundantlabs.com.

Distillate is a cannabis/hemp extract in which all elements and components – save one specific cannabinoid – have been thoroughly extracted from the final product.

The fundamental ingredient in most edibles and vape cartridges is distillate, which has no flavor, taste, or scent. The term distillate refers to the process of extracting and separating cannabinoids like THC and CBD from cannabis/hemp to create unique products. It’s a potent cannabis/hemp oil that may be used on its own or infused into other cannabis/hemp products. THC oil and cannabidiol (CBD) oil are the two most popular distillate types on the market. The oil’s name indicates the most prominent cannabinoid. The cannabinoid CBD would be the most prevalent in CBD oil.

The differences between distillate, isolate, and oil

It’s challenging to keep track of all the different titles for cannabis/hemp oil. The phrase distillate refers to oils that have been extracted, winterized, and decarboxylated before going through a distillation process. The viscosity of cannabis/hemp distillate is always that of a viscous oil. Although distillates are a form of cannabis/hemp oil, they are not all cannabis/hemp oils. Live resin, butane hash oil (BHO), Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), and hemp-derived CBD oil are examples of cannabis/hemp oils that are similar but not identical.

Distillate and isolate are often confused since they both concentrate on a single cannabinoid. Because distillation processes are employed to improve the cannabis/hemp extract, isolate is technically a sort of distillate.

How is distillate made?

Starting with a hemp flower, cannabis/hemp distillate is created by a series of cultivation, extraction, and post-processing stages to separate the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the biomass (flowers, leaves, and stems).

The cannabis/hemp plant must then undergo several procedures before it can begin the distillation process, including being properly dried and cured after harvest. The biomass can be extracted using a variety of solvents, including carbon dioxide, butane, and ethanol, once it has been dried. Before ending up in the collecting tank, the biomass is packed in a material column, drenched in the solvent, and may be further purified using color remediation processes.

Some processors may winterize their extracts using ethanol and freezing temperatures to remove lipids and waxes. Furthermore, the extract could be decarboxylated to convert acidic cannabinoids like THCA and CBDA to their parent components, CBD and THC. This results in a crude oil.

The next step is distillation. A distillation system warms cannabis/hemp oil to a specific temperature in order to evaporate the necessary cannabinoid without deteriorating it, then condenses the cannabinoid vapor back into a liquid. The distillation process lowers the pressure inside the equipment, allowing the cannabis/hemp to be purified at its lowest boiling point.

Distillation equipment may remove the ethanol, carbon dioxide, butane solvent, and practically everything else outside the cannabis/hemp through repeated passes using steam distillation and fractionation processes.

The highly volatile cannabis/hemp chemicals are less likely to degrade due to the short exposure to heat during the procedure. Compounds with higher boiling points tend to sink, separating them from the other compounds. Furthermore, the best equipment coats the evaporative surface with a thin layer of oil for more consistent heating and evaporation.

Distillation is essential because it means that operators can buy a larger quantity of cannabis/hemp trim or low-quality biomass and distill their chosen chemicals into an ultra-potent liquid via distillation.

The cannabis/hemp derivatives market has become reliant on distillates. Their odorless and flavorless properties aid in the production of a consistent and repeatable marijuana product. They can be found in almost every product category.

Distillates are required to create the infused gummies and chocolates that we all know and love. Additionally, if desired, fragrant terpene components can be reintroduced back into the finished product.

At Abundant Labs, we only offer the highest quality hemp-derived products. For custom distillates or to purchase some of our bulk products, visit our website and learn more about why Abundant Labs is making a difference in the hemp industry.

Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular hemp-derived products.

You’re probably already familiar with the plant’s two most well-known components, THC and CBD, but the hemp plant also produces a slew of additional molecules that appear to play a supporting role in a strain’s overall effects called terpenes. The “entourage effect” is a theory that supposes that cannabis components like terpenes and cannabinoids work together to produce distinct effects and advantages. It is this unique combination of different phytochemicals that introduces therapeutic effects.

Unfortunately, there are few studies that look into these synergies in humans—it’s a theory backed up by a limited body of evidence. Dr. Ethan Russo—a neurologist and pharmacologist who has long studied cannabis compounds and how they affect the body, released a study titled “Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects,” Dr. Russo’s study discusses the benefits of common cannabis components that have been investigated, and highlights their possible synergistic effects based on their pharmacology. His study asks questions like: How might the cannabinoids CBD and CBG, for example, be even more effective when coupled with different terpenes?

Breaking Down Dr. Russo’s Study 

Terpenes and phytocannabinoids both share a chemical precursor: their parent compound is called Geranyl pyrophosphate, and it endures a lengthy metabolic process within the plant to produce terpenes and cannabinoids. This common ancestor is, chemically, one of the most convincing pieces of evidence detailed by Dr. Russo. He also cites animal studies conducted in 1993, fifteen years before Russo’s study was published, as substantial evidence. Even at extremely low serum concentrations, mice exposed to terpenoid odors inhaled from ambient air showed profound effects on brain activity levels, suggesting a direct pharmacological effect.

Dr. Russo’s study primarily deals with the cannabis terpenoids: limonene, myrcene, a-pinene, linalool, b-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, nerolidol, and phytol. In 2008, it was found that two citrus essential oils predominantly consisting of limonene inhibited Propionibacterium acnes, aka the major pathogen in acne.

Both essential oils imply an anti-inflammatory action. In another study, pinene was found to be the most effective component of tea-tree eucalyptus oil in suppressing acne agents. These terpenes are all found extensively in Cannabis Sativa.

CBD also has notable anti-inflammatory effects and has been proven to limit sebum production, so Dr. Russo proposed that terpenoids could complement CBD’s already-proven pharmacological benefits. Russo supposes that because of the entourage effect, cannabis can be an incredibly effective medicine. It can be used to treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA, and can even be an antidote to intoxication.

Dr. Russo suggests that selective breeding of cannabis chemotypes with high phytocannabinoid and terpenoid content could enforce complementary pharmacological activities that may help to strengthen and broaden clinical applications.

The entourage effect has compelling scientific and anecdotal evidence, but unfortunately, there is not a significant body of research in order to conclusively support this theory. Science is about questioning everything, and the scientific community is actively answering them. Research is being conducted at promising rates, and we look forward to more developments on the subject.

For now, though, the currently available literature is pretty convincing, and the anecdotal evidence should not be ignored. Hemp is a venerable plant that has numerous pharmacological effects, that’s why at Abundant Labs we offer a large variety of full-spectrum CBD products so our customers can experience the full benefits of hemp-derived products. Be sure to check out our website to learn more.

Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular hemp-derived products.

Cannabis/Hemp has in the past been viewed solely as a source of CBD or THC, two of the most well-known cannabinoids and mostly known for their addictive or psychedelic properties. But, as research and scientific advances have discovered more and more intricacies about the cannabis plant, they have discovered a sleuth of other compounds and properties that can be derived from the plant. This has meant a huge influx of cannabis-derived products entering the market. Let’s take a more in-depth look into what we now can separate as cannabinoids and flavonoids.

Cannabinoids – The Magic Compound 

Cannabinoids are compounds in the cannabis/hemp plant that mostly carry the health, psychedelic, or transmitting values it is known for. We have come to recognize a very popular few, but over a hundred have been identified, each with unique properties. Cannabinoids have different effects on the various systems of the body, but mainly come to play in the brain.

THC and CBD are two of the most popular cannabinoids, but rising in ranks and popularity are new compounds like CBN a cannabinoid popular for its range of health benefits like its role as an appetite suppressant, its antibacterial element, and its anti-inflammatory properties. CBN is produced when the plant ages.

Cannabinoids that are known to not be psychoactive are CBD, CBG, and CBC whilst cannabinoids like THC and CBN are known for their psychoactive qualities. Consumers can therefore choose different strains that contain cannabinoids that will suit their needs. The advances in science and identification of different strains have allowed cannabis/hemp products to be more zoned in on specific needs, whether it be health or recreational use. The more detailed the effects and benefits become, the more tailored use and dosage can also become.

The more knowledge is gained on the different cannabinoids, the better the understanding of how the different cannabinoids can be taken together. For example, taking the two cannabinoids CBN and THC together will cause the CBN to lessen the effects of the THC, turning it into a milder dose. The detailed research being done on cannabinoids also helps specify in which forms the cannabinoids can be taken to maximize the benefits. Lead researcher, Associate Professor Ryu Takechi from the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI) and the School of Population Health at Curtin University, has shared that his team has developed microcapsules containing cannabinoids and in this form, it is absorbed at a more rapid rate than cannabinoids in liquid form.

Flavonoids – The Color Compound 

With over 6000 varieties discovered, flavonoids are the compounds responsible for pigmentation in plants. They are made up of polyphenolic compounds that act as secondary metabolites to many plants and fungi. In other words, they are not unique solely to the cannabis/hemp plant. Flavonoids also play to an extent a role in protecting plants from the sun, pests, and diseases.

What do flavonoids mean to cannabis/hemp plants in particular? They affect the smell and taste. They give the different strains their unique character. They play a role in how each person experiences a certain strain due to its color, aroma, and taste. One specific cannabinoid found only in the cannabis/hemp plant is the cannflavin flavonoid.

Cannflavin has been shown to have anti-cancer properties as well as anti-inflammatory qualities. As research and scientific studies continue to unearth the characteristics of flavonoids, more benefits will come to light as they are drastically understudied elements. Legislation and laws often halt the studies of cannabis/hemp-related elements, and the adjustment of these laws will ensure more effort is put into realizing the full potential of flavonoids and what they can mean to the industry.

Cannabinoids and flavonoids have helped us to understand the benefits of the cannabis/hemp plant, but continued research will be even more beneficial to developing products that harness the best qualities of the different compounds and strains. At Abundant Labs, we bring insightful, factual, and up-to-date information to the ground level. Make sure to follow our social media pages to stay tuned to relevant news and updates in the industry.