Compound extraction from plant based material utilizing terepene saturant

Abstract

A method for extracting compounds from plant material utilizing terpenes as a solvent is described. The invention includes the excitation of the plant material and terpene solvent with microwave, ultrasound, heat input, and physical agitation or combinations thereof. The invention particularly covers the process as it relates to the extraction of THC and CBD and their derivatives from cannabis and hemp for the use in products for medical and recreational use. The combinations of terpene saturant, plant material strain and process variables can be tuned in order to dial in the final resultant product for several variables including but not limited to terpene content, THC or CBD potency, ratios of THC or CBD and their derivatives, or flavor profile.

Claims

1. A process for removal of terpenes and cannabinoids from plant material comprising the steps of: combining a saturant and the plant material; and exciting the saturant and the plant material using 200-900 W/L of microwave energy.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the plant material is stored in a sub-zero freezer and soaked in the saturant for up to 12 hours prior to the exciting step.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the saturant and the plant material are combined in a ratio of 0.02-1.0 g/L.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein a temperature of <30° C. is maintained throughout the process.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the exciting step comprises using ultrasonic excitation along with the microwave energy simultaneously or sequentially.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein the process is conducted under vacuum.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the cannabinoids are isolated without being decarboxylated.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein the exciting step heats the saturant and the plant material to a temperature above 30° C. in order to decarboxylate the cannabinoids.

9. The process of claim 1 where the saturant comprises a terpene or a plurality of terpenes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a lab report from the extraction of CBD at ˜100% efficiency from a CBD rich strain. THC is below detectable limit.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a lab report from the extraction of THC-A at ˜100% efficiency from a THC rich strain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

(3) According to the first aspect of the invention removal of terpenes and cannabinoids from cannabis flower is conducted using 200-900 W/L of microwave energy utilizing a terpene or plurality of terpenes as the saturant.

(4) According to the second aspect of the invention the plant material is stored in a sub-zero freezer and soaked in the saturant for up to 12 hours prior to extraction.

(5) According to the third aspect of the invention the ratio of saturant to plant material is 0.02-1.0 g/L.

(6) According to the fourth aspect of the invention a temperature of <30° C. is maintained through the use of an external chiller.