Terpenes are a diverse group of organic compounds found in many plants. They occur abundantly in the cannabis plant, and they are responsible for the sweet herbaceous smell of cannabis.
Like CBD, terpenes do not make you high no matter the quantity consumed. Instead, they offer many benefits similar to CBD, often complementing it. They are also involved in the “entourage effect” produced by CBD. Terpene extraction is a rapidly expanding topic because of its importance in mental and physical health and recreation
Terpene Extraction
Terpene extraction does not come without its peculiar challenges. The compound is very delicate and volatile. Thus, it requires finesse in its isolation and extraction to avoid denaturing it. Methods of terpene extraction could be solventless and solvent-based extraction.
Traditional ways of solventless terpene extraction include steam distillation and hydrodistillation. For steam distillation, a container of the herb suspends over a vessel with boiling water. The steam then penetrates the cannabis plant through the perforated container. As soon as the terpene-laden steam passes out of the distiller’s top, a condenser immediately cools it, which also liquefies the oils and water. You can now easily collect the lighter oils that remain afloat on the water’s surface. This is one popular way of terpene extraction.
The second method of terpene extraction involves hydro distillation. This is comparable to steam distillation; the only difference being in the direct contact the cannabis herb is with the boiling water. A common demerit to both processes is the high heat involved. At a temperature of 100˚C, some compounds are destroyed, so the oil quality and smell may be slightly different from what you expect. However, a vacuum steam distiller dampens this effect, thanks to the optimized Pope Wiped-Film Molecular Stills. Solventless terpene extraction has the added advantage of not diluting the terpene extract with residual solvents.
Solvent-based methods of extraction include the use of butane hash oil. It produces a large number of terpenes rapidly. The process involves placing the cannabis plant inside a glass container. A butane solvent then runs over it, and the liquid product is winterized. As a non-polar solvent, butane hash oil effectively harnesses terpenes without impurities along the line.
Solvent-based terpene extraction can also be done with supercritical carbon dioxide. Here, the terpenes can even be fractionated and those of different molecular weights isolated. Gaseous carbon dioxide is heated and pressurized into a fluid and used as a substrate. Winterization follows this process to remove additional plant lipids and fats.
Final Thoughts
While there is no exactly a perfect method of terpene extraction, analyses of the benefits mentioned above and cost give you an idea on the best method for you. The thin film operated Pope Wiped-Film Molecular Stills distillation equipment makes a whole world of difference in cannabinoid and terpene purification, and the reason is not far-fetched. Better methods of terpene extraction result in a better quality of the product and richer experience. You will discover more about terpene extraction here.
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