Cannabis Batch Extraction using Probe-Type Sonication
Extracting cannabinoids such as CBD, THC, CBN etc. from hemp and marijuana for production purposes involves a combination of chopping, grinding or crushing the cannabis plant, ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction, and subsequent isolation of the bioactive compounds. Here is a practical instruction of ultrasonic cannabis extraction in medium-scale batch production using larger barrels, e.g. 120L drums.
Materials and Equipment for Cannabis Extraction
- Cannabis leaves (hemp or marijuana)
- Aqueous ethanol (80% or higher)
- Blender or grinder
- Probe-type sonicator UIP2000hdT
- Mechanical stirrer
- Chiller or cooling system for the extraction vessel
- Food-grade container or batch (e.g. stainless steel, plastic)
- Mesh filter or a vacuum filtration setup
- Rotary evaporator
- Storage containers
Sonicator UIP2000hdT with agitator in a barrel for large-scale cannabis extraction
Sonication-Assisted Cannabis Extraction Protocol
Preparation:
Ensure that all equipment is clean and sterilized.
Measure and prepare the desired amount of cannabis plant material for extraction.
Mount the stirrer and sonicator over the extraction vessel.
Optional: Chill the aqueous ethanol as low as possible. (When you want to extract at cryogenic temperatures, chill to -150 degrees Celsius (-238 degrees Fahrenheit) Cryogenic extraction helps to reduce the release of chlorophyll).
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Grind or crush the dried cannabis leaves into a coarse particles of approx. 2 to 4 millimeters. For our example, we use 10kg of dried cannabis plant particles.
- Then add the cannabis particles to the extraction vessel.
- Next, add 100L of aqueous ethanol to the beaker containing the cannabis material to be extracted. We use here a 1:10 ratio of cannabis to solvent. The cannabis-to-solvent ratio may vary depending on the specific cannabis strain, your target compounds and particle size.
- Turn the stirrer on in order to mix the slurry. After 2-3 minutes, the slurry is pre-mixed.
- Keep the stirrer running. Switch the sonicator on and sonicate the cannabis slurry. Sonicate for approx. 5 to 10 minutes when using the UIP2000hdT. Please note that the temperature and extraction time can vary depending of the ultrasonic power used. If you process larger volumes, longer sonication times are required respectively.
- After the sonication process, filter the sonicated mixture through filter cloth or use vacuum filtration to separate the aqueous ethanol containing the extracted cannabinoids and other bioactive compounds from the solid cannabis residue.
- Optional: Winterization is a process that involves chilling the extract to precipitate waxes and lipids, which are then removed through filtration. After winterization, the extract is subjected to further evaporation or other purification steps to isolate cannabinoids.
- Then use distillation, evaporation or rotary-evaporation to isolate the cannabinoids and bioactive compounds from the solvent.
- After that, you can purify the extract further to obtain specific compounds or fill your extract into storage containers.
Cryogenic Ethanol Extraction
Cryogenic temperatures are used in ethanol extraction processes to enhance the extraction efficiency and to minimize the extraction of undesired compounds, such as chlorophyll and waxes. Lower temperatures can also help to preserve volatile compounds like terpenes.
The UP400St probe-type sonicator is a popular ultrasound extractor used for the isolation of CBD, THC, CBG, CBN, other canabinoids as well as terpenes from hemp and marijuana.
Scale-Up: From Ultrasonic Batch to Inline Extraction
If you plan to scale up your cannabis extraction method from batch processing to continuous inline extraction, we recommend installing an ultrasonic flow cell to your sonicator. You could keep the solid-to-liquid ratios and all other parameters constant. Extracting larger quantities of cannabinoids from hemp or marijuana using an ultrasonic flow-through system is a sophisticated method to produce large extraction volumes. Hielscher Ultrasonics offers flow cell reactors designed for botanical material extraction.
If you are interested in processing large cannabis streams, we encourage you to ask us directly for more information. Our technical team will be glad to assist in determining the most suitable setup for your specific needs. We offer various industrial extraction setups for food- and pharma-grade extraction of botanical compounds.
Contact Us! / Ask Us!
Probe-type ultrasonicator UIP1000hdT with stirrer for the production of botanical extracts such as cannabinoids (e.g., CBD, THC, CBG)
Literature / References
- Casiraghi A., Gentile A., Selmin F., Gennari C.G.M., Casagni E., Roda G., Pallotti G., Rovellini P., Minghetti P. (2022): Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Cannabinoids from Cannabis Sativa for Medicinal Purpose. Pharmaceutics. 14(12), 2022.
- Espinoza-Silva, Clara, Pascual, Erika, Delgadillo, Yacnehs, Flores, Omar R., Artica, Luis M., Marmolejo, Doris and Baños-Medina, Lilian (2023): Optimization of extraction using surface response methodology and quantification of cannabinoids in female inflorescences of marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.) at three altitudinal floors of Peru. Open Agriculture, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2023.
- Turrini, Federica; Donno, Dario; Beccaro, Gabriele; Zunin, Paola; Pittaluga, Anna; Boggia, Raffaella (2019): Pulsed Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction as an Alternative Method to Conventional Maceration for the Extraction of the Polyphenolic Fraction of Ribes nigrum Buds: A New Category of Food Supplements Proposed by The FINNOVER Project. Foods. 8. 466; 2019
- Dent M., Dragović-Uzelac V., Elez Garofulić I., Bosiljkov T., Ježek D., Brnčić M. (2015): Comparison of Conventional and Ultrasound Assisted Extraction Techniques on Mass Fraction of Phenolic Compounds from sage (Salvia officinalis L.). Chem. Biochem. Eng. Q. 29(3), 2015. 475–484.
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