Herbal Extract

The rising demand for industrial hemp and the proliferation on the market of CBD products have increased demand for supercritical and subcritical CO2 extraction methods. Both subcritical and supercritical carbon dioxide serve as a highly “tunable” solvent that can be manipulated to target specific components in the plant biomass without exposing delicate compounds to high temperatures. After extraction, the carbon dioxide evaporates, leaving a residue-free crude extract. While CO2 extraction is in extreme demand for CBD processing, it is also useful for other herbs. Other good herbal candidates for CO2 extraction include florals such as lavender and jasmine, as well as aromatics like sandalwood and patchouli.

This process is used to gently concentrate a targeted substance and separate unwanted constituents, typically under vacuum conditions. Like CO2 extraction, this distillation method is suitable for temperature-sensitive compounds. When CO2 is used with an additional solvent modifier such as GMP-compliant ethanol, a distillation process such as falling film distillation is needed to remove and reclaim the solvent. This produces a solvent-free botanical extract, and the ethanol can be reused.

Decarbing is an essential step in hemp and CBD processing, necessary for converting phytocannabinoids from the acidic forms in the raw plant to their bioactive forms that make them available to the human endocannabinoid system when consumed. Hemp’s valuable component, cannabidiol, exists as cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in its natural state. After extraction, and subsequent distillation if solvent modifiers are used, the crude is exposed to specific temperatures, for an optimal period of time, to break off the acid from the CBDA, leaving CBD.

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) are must-have quality control testing capabilities for herbal extraction processes. Botanical extracts are products of plant biomass, and potential contaminants can include pesticides and other chemicals, heavy metals, and residual solvents. The extraction process can create a risk of concentrating contaminants in the extract form-which flies in the face of the health-conscious ideal of consumers for these products. Consumers also want to know as much as possible about product potency. HPLC analysis can identify, isolate, and measure concentrations of the various constituents of an extract, and GC can detect undesirable residual solvents. Finally, because tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another compound found in some cannabis products, is illegal at the federal level, CBD and hemp products sold in most states must not include THC at a concentration above 0.3%. Both the raw biomass and the final product are tested to ensure regulatory compliance. HPLC testing can verify compliant and non-detectable THC concentrations.

Consumer demand is the driving force behind the growth in herbal and botanical extracts, so the quicker and more efficiently those extracts can be blended into formulations, bottled, and packaged, the sooner they can capture market share. Many toll processors can perform extraction techniques and return high-quality crude to the customer, often in bulk formats like pails or jugs. That leaves the customer with the tasks of formulating, blending, bottling, labeling, and packaging before final products are ready for consumer purchase, where they can command the greatest margin. A toll processor with all these capabilities, plus scientific expertise under one roof, can help producers get from biomass to bottled extract in less time, with greater efficiency and a smaller energy footprint, while achieving cost savings by eliminating extra logistical and shipping steps. But be sure to look for an FDA-registered facility that includes GMP-certified production lines, quality systems including FSSC 22000 and ISO 9001 certifications, and certified analytical testing (such as Emerald Test for CBD and hemp products).