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Cannabidiol is the full name behind the acronym CBD. This cannabinoid makes up almost half of a cannabis plant’s extract.
CBD has become a common ingredient in a range of food and beauty products — thanks in large part to the 2018 Farm Bill that finally differentiated hemp from other cannabis plants and allowed for the use of CBD extraction equipment. Before this bill, hemp was considered the same as a cannabis plant with a large percentage of the psychoactive THC compound.
Hemp, however, has such a low THC count that it’s unlikely to cause any psychoactive effects. To find out how CBD is extracted from these plants and made into so many different products, check out the information below.
Contents
1. Solvent Extraction
Solvent extraction is a DIY approach to extracting CBD. This method is best for individuals who need to extract it for personal use. The solvents typically used to extract CBD include:
- Butane
- Propane
- Isopropyl
- Alcohol
- Ethanol
Obviously, some of these solvents are flammable, thus making them somewhat dangerous to work with. Another downside is that the solvent pulls out some undesirable compounds, like bitter chlorophyll. However, it is a quick, easy, and cheap method.
To extract CBD with a solvent, place the plant material into a container and soak it with the solvent. Then, wait patiently as the solvent completely evaporates. If you collect the residue too early, it may still have traces of the solvent, which can be toxic.
2. Olive Oil Extraction
Olive oil extraction definitely sounds like another do-it-yourself method, and it is. This method is not practical for a high-volume, professional CBD extraction business.
Although this isn’t the most professional method, it is the safest. Like the solvent method, it is also cheap and easy. Simply heat the plant matter in olive oil to extract the CBD into the oil.
This method isn’t as concentrated as other methods, so higher doses may be necessary. Additionally, oil has an expiration date and needs to be stored properly.
3. Two Forms of Centrifugal Extraction
Centrifugal extraction is a complex, highly scientific way to extract CBD. This method is better for those high-volume CBD products, like the CBD edibles linked here.
This type of extraction is technically a solvent type, as it relies on ethanol to extract CBD. However, the introduction of the centrifuge makes it a bit different. Purchasing a centrifuge is the biggest expense for this method.
This method may be done at room temperature or at a low temperature.
4. Two Forms of CO2 Extraction
CO2 extraction is an alternative method to centrifugal extraction. As such a complex and scientific method, it does require a sizable investment to purchase the complicated equipment. With this method, CO2 is the solvent used to extract the desired chemical compounds.
The two methods for this type of extraction are supercritical and subcritical.
5. All-In-One System Options
All-in-one systems go beyond simple extraction — they also complete the winterization, filtration, and distillation processes. Obviously, these systems are the most expensive, but also the most professional.
Shopping for CBD Extraction Equipment
The total cost for CBD extraction equipment depends upon the scale of CBD you need to extract and the quality you want to achieve. For low-volume projects with a small budget and no quality concerns, stick with oil extraction.
For more informational articles about CBD, take a second to browse our page.
