Abstract: Methods for extracting and concentrating cannabinoids using ultrasound-enhanced solvent extraction. Freshly harvested cannabis plant materials, which may be selectively chosen plant parts or the entire plant itself, are shredded to a particular particle size. The plant material is then mixed with a solvent to form a slurry, and thereafter subjected to ultrasound to release intracellular contents into the solvent. Filtering steps are then applied to remove biomass, waxes and chlorophyll. Water removal and solvent recovery steps are further applied to ultimately derive an extract having high concentrations of target cannabinoids, and in particular cannabidiol (CBD). The methods may be deployed on-site in batch or continuous flow processes, and may further be utilized to derive other types of materials from plants, such as essential oils.
Abstract: Solvent-based methods for the extraction and concentration of cannabinoids and other target compounds from large-scale harvests of cannabis and hemp crops. Select portions of cannabis or hemp plants are harvested, ground to a desired particle size and ultimately powderized where the powder is mixed with a solvent, preferably ethanol or water, to form a slurry that is subjected to at least two, and preferably five or more separate inverting filter centrifugation steps until cannabinoid extraction is maximized. The filtrate from the first inverting centrifugation step is isolated and purified to derive an extract whereas the powderized filtride is subjected to further centrifugation steps. Fresh solvent is introduced at the last inverting centrifugation step and subsequently used upstream in sequentially-earlier centrifugation steps until ultimately utilized in a first inverting filter centrifugation step.
Abstract: Methods for extracting and concentrating cannabinoids using ultrasound-enhanced solvent extraction. Freshly harvested cannabis plant materials, which may be selectively chosen plant parts or the entire plant itself, are shredded to a particular particle size. The plant material is then mixed with a solvent to form a slurry, and thereafter subjected to ultrasound to release intracellular contents into the solvent. Filtering steps are then applied to remove biomass, waxes and chlorophyll. Water removal and solvent recovery steps are further applied to ultimately derive an extract having high concentrations of target cannabinoids, and in particular cannabidiol (CBD). The methods may be deployed on-site in batch or continuous flow processes, and may further be utilized to derive other types of materials from plants, such as essential oils.