Fine-Tuning Extraction Parameters with Cannabinoid Potency Data
Cannabis extraction requires careful management of production inputs primarily temperature and pressure, but also knowledge of the potency of your starting material. These factors and more, play critical roles in cannabinoid recovery and product quality. Cannabinoid potency data and the capacity to calculate things like mass balance, provides a critical roadmap for optimizing these parameters, enabling extractors to refine their processes and improve outcomes. Without proper calibration, extractors risk inefficiencies, reduced yields, and inconsistent products.
Optimizing Extraction Parameters with Potency Data
Temperature Control: Cannabinoid potency testing at key points in the extraction process can highlight thermal degradation of compounds like THC or CBD that may otherwise go unnoticed. With access to real-time potency data, extractors can identify where in the process cannabinoids are being lost, and implement the appropriate temperature adjustments. Optimized heat settings can lead to more stable cannabinoid profiles and higher product quality, as well as improved yields and fewer unwanted by-products.
Pressure Adjustments: In supercritical CO₂ extraction, pressure directly affects solvent density and cannabinoid solubility. Testing potency throughout distillation informs extractors, highlighting problem areas. For example, a potency test that comes back with abnormally high levels of D10-THC and CBN could signal a poor vacuum. Potency data allows extractors to not only fine-tune pressure settings that maximize cannabinoid recovery, but also monitor vacuum loss in real-time to avoid compromising the quality of the final product.
Solvent Ratios and Flow Rates: In ethanol and hydrocarbon extraction processes, access to potency data can help operators determine the optimal solvent-to-biomass ratio and identify flow rates that require specific adjustments. Proper adjustments improve cannabinoid recovery and ensure efficient solvent usage, avoiding oversaturation or the extraction of unwanted compounds. Hydrocarbon extractors who process fresh frozen material may notice cannabinoid fluctuations and excess waxes in the final product. Potency testing in between stages can highlight when the solvent-to-biomass ratio is too high and oversaturating the material. Adjusting flow rates to a lower ratio prevents over-extraction.
Extraction Duration: Tracking potency over time helps establish the ideal extraction duration. By using potency data to inform the process, extractors can avoid under-extracting valuable cannabinoids or over-extracting undesirable compounds. By understanding the exact concentration of cannabinoids in the product, an extractor can influence the integrity and speed of the separation when performing winterization.
Material Input Consistency: Access to potency data can enhance the consistency of material inputs for cannabis extractors. Monitoring potency data helps in the early detection of any variations or deviations in material inputs. This proactive approach allows extractors to take corrective actions promptly, such as adjusting processes or sourcing materials, to maintain high product quality and consistency over time.
Real-World Example: Optimizing Pressure in CO₂ Extraction
An extractor notices, during a Supercritical CO2 extraction, unexpectedly low THC potency in their final product. By analyzing potency data at various pressure levels, they identify that the system pressure is too low, reducing its ability to extract THC effectively. By moderating pressure results they can achieve the higher cannabinoid content they are looking for. Implementing this adjustment not only improves product quality but also enhances the overall efficiency of their extraction process.
Transform Extraction Into a Data-Driven Operation
Incorporating cannabinoid potency data into the cannabis extraction process transforms it from a guessing game into a precise, data-driven operation. By leveraging this information, extractors can fine-tune equipment, maximize yields, and consistently produce high-quality cannabis products. This approach ensures efficiency, sustainability, and a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry.
Stay tuned for our final article in the series Optimize Cannabis Extraction with Cannabinoid Potency Data: Part 3 coming soon!
Learn More: Cannabis Testing Equipment to Optimize Cannabis Extraction
LightLab Cannabis Analyzer is an easy-to-use, in-house solution for cannabinoid potency testing that delivers accurate, real-time data you can use to guide operational decision-making.
Third-party testing can be a barrier to the efficient use of potency data in fine-tuning operational excellence due to high costs and long wait times. Learn more about how operators are using at-line testing with LightLab to produce high-quality, consistent cannabis concentrates.
For more information, download our Executive Extraction Note
