CBD OIL AND THE CO2 EXTRACTION PROCESS

CBD OIL AND THE CO2 EXTRACTION PROCESS

Cannabidiol (CBD) products have gained popularity globally. With the increase in demand, different brands have developed a wide CBD product range to meet various consumers’ needs. However, the cannabidiol industry has no FDA regulation, especially the manufacturing and labeling standards. Therefore, consumers should determine where different companies source their hemp and the extraction process. This is because the extraction method determines the final product’s quality. Illegitimate companies continue to use chemicals like hexane and butane in making CBD products. Other chemical extraction processes might leave a harmful residue if insufficiently purged. According to experts, CO2 extraction is the best extraction method for high-quality and safe CBD products.

What is CBD carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction?

The carbon dioxide extraction method involves the application of pressurized CO2 to extract important compounds from cannabis sativa. This includes terpenes, cannabinoids, and the plant’s crucial waxes. The product achieved is a dense, gold, and healthy-looking extract that can be used with thinners or suspended in an MCT oil to convert it into an inhalable form. When kept under particular pressure and temperature range, CO2 functions as a solvent without risks linked with harmful solvents such as hexane or butane. Carbon dioxide produces high-quality products with high purity and stable potency levels. This process is not only used for cannabidiol oils solely. The CO2 extraction method is the standard method in the food and herbal industries. Decaf coffee depends on carbon dioxide extraction to eliminate caffeine content from coffee seeds. In addition, the most vital oil production depends on this expertise. Some advanced companies discovered that outdated extraction methods accompanied dangers like wastefulness, solvent toxicity, and flammability. Before supercritical carbon dioxide was initiated, trademarks depended on unsafe solvents like ethyl acetate, trichloroethane, or methyl chloride.

What Is Supercritical Carbon dioxide Extraction?

CBD oils are extracted through CO2 extraction methods, but the supercritical carbon dioxide technique is the golden standard. This technology depends on the supercritical fluid extraction process. It involves applying supercritical fluids to extract one constituent from another. Carbon dioxide is a largely utilized reactant, though certain manufacturers use alcohol (co-solvent substance).

Supercritical carbon dioxide exists in fluid form, which exclusively happens when manufacturers apply temperature and pressure beyond their critical points. The extractor uses carbon dioxide gas and passes it via a chamber where the temperature is maintained at -700 F while pressure is increased steadily. The gas converts into a fluid at this level. In this instance, carbon dioxide has liquid and gas properties. It occupies space similar to gases but maintains the liquid density. The supercritical carbon dioxide passes via a chamber filled with fresh cannabis material. Finally, the fluid runs via the plant substance, dissolving the trichome’s membranes. The carbon dioxide captures a notable active cannabis compounds’ amount.

Benefits of Carbon dioxide Extraction

Carbon dioxide-derived cannabis products have no extra solvents or excessive temperatures. Carbon dioxide is regarded as a green solvent. The application of CO2 generates healthier and cleaner products. Notably, supercritical carbon dioxide does not leave any harmful chemical substances. In addition, manufacturers can recycle it, making the process less costly. The benefits include:

It is Safe

Before carbon dioxide extraction became common, most companies used alternative extraction methods with hexane and butane. Certain brands still use these alternative extraction methods. When using these chemical solvents, toxic remains are left in the CBD products. In addition, the chemical solvent extraction process is more harmful than carbon dioxide extraction. Therefore, besides underlining safety complications, the purity and potency of a product are negatively altered.

It Attains a Supercritical state Faster

Forcing elements to attain a supercritical state is difficult. However, carbon dioxide is among compounds that achieve this state under high pressure at minimum temperatures of about 900 F. This implies that it is simpler to furnish an extraction laboratory with essential equipment and cheaper in long-term operation.

Widely Available

Carbon dioxide is among air composition compounds and can be easily obtained. Moreover, the solubility of carbon dioxide modifies with pressure, allowing manufacturers to separate different elements depending on their anticipated results. One major advantage of the carbon dioxide extraction method is the ability to derive many essential cannabinoids in safe and clean forms.

Should You Choose CO2 Extracts Solely?

Consumers are advised to prioritize products manufactured through the CO2 extraction method. However, CO2 products are costlier than other alternatives. Nevertheless, these alternatives are inferior and contain more impurities with harmful chemical remains. Therefore, CBD users should consider carbon dioxide extracted products to enjoy more benefits and avoid risks.

Conclusion

When purchasing full-spectrum cannabidiol oil, it is advisable to go for quality, safe, pure, and potent products. Many reputable producers apply supercritical carbon dioxide extraction to generate cannabidiol products. Compressed carbon dioxide produces healthy and clean products without harmful solvent deposits. Another main CO2 extraction benefit is the potential of carbon dioxide to extract the maximum intended compounds from the hemp plant. This makes carbon dioxide-derived cannabidiol oil more refined since it removes most from the original cannabis phytochemical content. Experts and researchers recommend these products and claim they offer more consistent and better results than CBD isolates.

Ieva Kubiliute

Ieva Kubiliute is a psychologist and a sex and relationships advisor and a freelance writer. She's also a consultant to several health and wellness brands. While Ieva specialises in covering wellness topics ranging from fitness and nutrition, to mental wellbeing, sex and relationships and health conditions, she has written across a diverse range of lifestyle topics, including beauty and travel. Career highlights so far include: luxury spa-hopping in Spain and joining an £18k-a-year London gym. Someone’s got to do it! When she’s not typing away at her desk—or interviewing experts and case studies, Ieva winds down with yoga, a good movie and great skincare (affordable of course, there’s little she doesn’t know about budget beauty). Things that bring her endless joy: digital detoxes, oat milk lattes and long country walks (and sometimes jogs).

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