Cannabidiol is an organic compound found in hemp plants, where manufacturers can find it abundant in the flowers. You can read more about this compound when you click here. For CBD to be added to various products like creams, oil, and vape juice, the first step for many companies is to ensure high-quality extracts from the plants.
There are various ways on how manufacturers usually do this. Essentially, they obtain locally-sourced strains to get full-spectrum cannabidiol extracts. Some of the methods used in the industry have existed for decades, and others require newer technologies for a more efficient and safer oil.
Before the popularity of CBD oil, there were other products where the extraction of cannabidiol is a must. The methods are used in many industries like the decaffeination of tea and coffees. The extraction of coffee beans and production in beer have the same concept of getting the most nutrients in plants. If you’re interested in the extraction methods, here is some info that you may find invaluable.
The Supercritical CO2 Extraction Method
Terms like “supercritical” may sound fancy to many consumers. However, this is an actual term used in chemistry and laboratories. This means that the substance is a state in which its characteristics become both liquid and gas.
When the CO2 method is used in the extraction, the gas properties allow the plant matter to combine and effuse with carbon dioxide. This allows the compounds to leave the plants. This is where the CO2 extracted oils can become high-quality and more effective. The overall process may vary, but some laboratories allow the extraction in both liquid and gas forms.
Companies may decide to add chambers where the plant materials will undergo a specific rise in temperature and pressure with CO2 to reach the supercritical state in many situations. With additional heat, the gas will add solvents that will cause the compounds to separate. The resulting oil will carry with it the essential compounds of the plants.
A qualified employee often oversees the entire operation, and there’s usually a higher cost associated with the CO2 supercritical extraction. However, this is one of the most efficient and safest methods in the market today, and with the rise of automated machines, the overall procedure becomes quicker. Because of the limited amounts of emission since carbon dioxide is recycled, the extractions are considered environment-friendly. The FDA even regarded the CO2 method as safe and quick.
Distillation through Steam
The process of steam distillation has been used for many centuries now. This is used in alcohol and other industries where there’s a need to extract the essential oils. The process is cheaper and less complicated than the CO2 extraction as well.
Manufacturers first place the hemp plants into a distillation tank. With the help of a little heat and water, the steam produced will carry the oil to the top of the tanks. It will then be passed into condensers, and it will result in an oil and water mixture. There are further distillations involved in the separation of oil and water, but the result is a full-spectrum cannabidiol extract.
While this process is easier at first glance and it does not require heavy machinery, it has its cons that consumers need to consider. For one, the process has a higher chance of getting errors, and it’s almost considered a less efficient way of extraction.
The steam can potentially damage the plant and the essential nutrients that it offers, and because of this, companies rarely use the method for extraction. However, many laboratories may still consider distillation when getting isolates. You can learn more about this process in this link: https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-steam-distillation-605690.
Adding Solvents
The method of adding solvents was also used by many people who lived centuries ago. This is somewhat an option if you can’t get the machines required for CO2 or don’t prefer the distillation method. Overall, adding solvents is similar to CO2 but without the technology that makes the gases go at a supercritical level.
Manufacturers mix the materials or hemp plants with the solvents that will carry the essential extracts if given enough time and exposed to the right conditions. Many are using natural solvents like olive oil or ethanol because they are safer and more organic.
However, there’s often a high cost that’s associated with ethanol. This is why some may choose hexane or butane to act as synthetic cannabidiol oil. These are usually the cheaper varieties found in the market, and they are generally not good for the health. If butane were not removed completely, it would affect the quality of the products as well.
Solvent extraction has its advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the method used, it can affect the overall consistency of the cannabidiol oil, and the quality will vary significantly on the solvent used in the process. They are more efficient than steam when the right people performed them, but they carry a degree of risk as well. This is why many laboratories prefer to get CO2 extraction whenever they can to ensure consumer health and safety.
A Final Word
With so many products out there, it’s always a good idea to research further and know about the extraction methods that they have undergone. This will tell you if they are high-quality, safe, and well worth the price. If possible, ask for laboratory certificates that proves that they have undertook CO2 extraction just to be on the safe side. You can get more information about their manufacturers on the website or join a CBD community forum on the internet.
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