Before hemp products that contain delta-9 THC can be manufactured, first delta-9 must be extracted from the hemp plant. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.
In this piece, we’ll go over the different extraction methods for delta-9 THC, what their advantages and drawbacks are, and help you choose which one is best suited for your needs.
What Is Delta-9-THC?
Delta-9 is one of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) compounds found in products prepared from the cannabis plant. The substance has potent psychoactive properties.
How Is Delta-9 THC Obtained from Cannabis Plants?
There are several ways to extract THC from a hemp plant. This list shows the three most common ways to extract delta-9 THC:
- Extraction with the use of solvents
- Supercritical CO2 extraction
- Distillation with steam
Solvent-Based Extraction
Solvent-based extraction employs various liquids capable of dissolving such substances to bring out the desirable components of the cannabis plant.
Therefore, in this part, we will look at 3 of the widely used onsite extraction methods: ethanol, butane, and propane extraction.
Ethanol Extraction
Ethanol extraction involves submerging cannabis plant biomass in ethanol whereby cannabinoids, terpenes, and other useful compounds are extracted. After, the ethanol is drained to retrieve the extract which contains concentrated active substances.
High-quality extracts are produced when ethanol is used in extraction. It is also considered relatively safe and is widely used in the food and drug industries.
However, there exist some limitations of this method. In some cases, ethanol is ‘too effective.’ This means that it may also extract unwanted substances like chlorophyll that may alter the physical appearance and properties of the final product.
Butane Extraction
This is a method for extracting THC and other chemical compounds from the cannabis plant by using Butane.
Butane is passed through a chamber containing hemp plants to extract the necessary elements. The solvent butane is then eliminated by evaporation leaving a potent concentrate.
Butane extraction creates very potent extracts usually in the form of wax, shatter, or budder.
The paramount issue with butane extraction is safety. Butane is very explosive. Also, any butane that is still in the finished product is potentially injurious to health as well.
Propane Extraction
In this case, propane is used as a solvent to extract the cannabinoids from the plant. Propane extraction is performed at lower temperatures than butane extraction to hold more volatile components such as terpenes. The procedure is comparable to butane extraction and yields an extract in greater concentration.
Nevertheless, exactly like butane, a propane is highly explosive.
What Is Supercritical CO2 Extraction?
In this method of extracting the delta-9 THC supercritical carbon dioxide is employed to dissolve the compound. Supercritical CO2 is a unique state which has liquid and gas characteristics. The process usually works at temperatures between 31°C and 65°C and pressures between 70 and 680 bar.
The process is eco-friendly and the solvents are non-toxic and recyclable. It extracts high-purity concentrates.
However, the process is rather complex and the equipment needed is costly. Due to the very high pressures involved, precautions should be taken.
What Is Steam Distillation?
Here steam is passed through cannabis allowing the oils to vaporize. Those vapors are then cooled down forming the liquid that serves to separate the chemical compounds.
Steam distillation is as old as history, and is primarily used to obtain essential oils from plants.
However, although steam distillation is relatively cheap and easy to perform, it may not capture all the available cannabinoids present in the plant material.
Future Trends in THC Extraction
Innovative Techniques
More efficient processes for extracting delta-9 THC continue to be developed, and the quality of the end products is steadily improving.
An interesting example of innovation in the extraction process is the use of high-performance liquid chromatography for measuring the concentration of delta 9-THC in cannabis concentrates. They would allow for more effective separation of THCs from undesirable constituents.
Drive Towards Sustainability
Various companies are putting efforts to cut their ecological footprint as sustainability becomes more important to consumers. For instance, considering alternative environmental-friendly solvents, and thinking of ways to recycle the used materials during extraction.
Rising Market Demand
The demand for hemp-derived delta-9 products is shooting through the roof. All this interest is one of the key drivers behind the rapidly diversifying innovative landscape of extraction technologies for cannabis. Companies are now investing more than ever and falling over each other in order with the newest equipment and techniques to keep up with consumer demand. As more people become interested in THC products, the market will continue to grow, leading to even more advancements in extraction methods.
Bottom Line
Different methods for extracting delta-9 THC each offer unique pros and cons. It's important to pick the right method based on what you need the delta-9 THC for.
Whether for medicinal or recreational use, understanding these methods helps ensure you get a safe and effective product.
At Happy Fruit, our wide range of THC edibles are made only from the purest cannabinoids using the most potent strains. Log into the store to try out our exciting range of THC gummies like Moon Berry and Raspberry Remedy.