What are the extraction methods for CBD oils?
Supercritical method, cold pressing, vegetable oil, solvent… So many terms that qualify the manufacture of CBD products. But what reality is hidden behind each of these practices? Is there a fundamental difference between CBD products extracted in this way or that way? What is the best mode of extraction? In this blog, you will explore the manufacture of CBD and its impact on the different CBD oils.
The origin of CBD
CBD (cannabidiol) is a molecule naturally present in hemp and known for its relaxing effects. A notable property of CBD is its lipophilic character. Chemically, CBD can only bind to fat or oil. Thus, it is not soluble in water. In order to transform CBD into oil, there are several Cannabis extraction methods, more or less natural, each with its own taste and specificities.
Extraction methods to create CBD oil
Let's review the four main methods of extracting CBD: supercritical extraction (1), cold pressing extraction (2), vegetable oil extraction (3), and extraction. by solvent (4).
1. Supercritical CO2 extraction
CO2 extraction aims to create phase changes (state of matter) in the CO2 and make it reach a so-called supercritical state. This process makes it possible to extract CBD while maintaining the number of terpenes in the plant material (CBN, CBG, etc.). Manufacturers favor this method for its efficiency and relative simplicity: no use of solvents or chemicals could alter the product's purity. However, CBD oil extracted with supercritical CO2 must be reprocessed to remove all traces of THC, which requires laboratory intervention.
CO2, a non-volatile element, is also already used in several industries wishing to control the concentration of a molecule, such as coffee and essential oils. At the end of the process, the CO2 is condensed and stored for reuse. Nothing is lost; everything is reused!
Thus, supercritical extraction is often used for the creation of rich and flavorful Full Spectrum CBD oils.
2. Cold Press Extraction
CBD extraction is often done cold for the same reason: to maintain a natural result while retaining the taste of the terpenes.
With the cold-press cannabis cbd oil extraction equipment, you can run the frozen hemp flowers through a press yourself and extract the CBD and terpenes as low-CBD hemp oil. It is a simple and ecological method to produce your own CBD. Disadvantage? It is not a very effective method when it comes to cannabidiol… Indeed, it takes a lot of hemp flowers to produce little CBD. This is why, apart from edible hemp oil, you will not find or find very few cold-pressed CBD oils on the market.
3. Vegetable oil extraction
Another DIY method, vegetable oil extraction, involves using hot oil to extract CBD from hemp. Instead, use olive, sesame, or coconut oil. This natural method makes it possible to produce tasty CBD oil. But the problems associated with artisanal extraction remain: you need a lot of hemp for little product; moreover, the hot oil may damage the molecules you are trying to extract.
4. Solvent extraction
The hemp is bathed in a solvent in order to extract the CBD. The solvent can be either ethanol, butane, or propane. By heating the liquid, the solvent evaporates, and only the CBD oil remains. The aforementioned solvents are flammable, even explosive; this process is reserved for knowledgeable chemists and CBD Growers.
What is the best CBD oil extraction method?
Supercritical extraction is the most effective way to produce natural, flavor-rich CBD oil. When cold, it keeps the CBD and terpenes pure, does not alter molecules, and uses no solvents, although a second treatment may be required to achieve less than 0.2% THC in the final bottle.
Very effective, it uses a minimum of hemp for a maximum of oil. Finally, ecologically, it reuses CO2 and requires very little energy for high yields. Artisanal extraction may have its charm, but supercritical extraction remains the most efficient and guarantees cost control for both the producer and the consumer.