Microwave Extraction vs. Other Techniques for Industrial Scale Cannabis Extraction

Cannabis is a flowering plant that has long been used for medicinal, therapeutic, and recreational purposes. Cannabis contains more than 500 different compounds, including a unique class of terpeno-phenolic compounds known as cannabinoids; Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most prevalent cannabinoids and have been associated with the therapeutic and medicinal properties of the cannabis plant. In this paper, continuous flow microwave assisted extraction (MAE) is presented and compared with other methods for commercial cannabis extraction. The practical issues of each extraction method are discussed. The main advantages of MAE are: continuous-flow method which allows for higher volumes of biomass to be processed in less time than existing extraction methods, improved extraction efficiency leading to increased final product yields, improved extract consistency and quality because the process does not require stopping and restarting material flows, and ease of scale-up to industrial scale without the use of pressurised batch vessels. Moreover, due to the flexibility of changing the operation conditions, MAE eliminates additional steps required in most extraction methods, such as biomass decarboxylation, winterisation, which typically adds at least a half day to the extraction process. Another factor that sets MAE apart is the ability to achieve high extraction efficiency even at the industrial scale. Whereas the typical recovery of active compounds using supercritical CO¬2 remains around 70-80%, via MAE up to 95% of the active compounds from cannabis biomass can be recovered at the industrial scale.

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Microwave-Assisted Industrial Scale Cannabis Extraction

Technologies ◽

10.3390/technologies8030045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 45

Author(s):

Marilena Radoiu ◽

Harmandeep Kaur ◽

Anna Bakowska-Barczak ◽

Steven Splinter

Keyword(s):

Continuous Flow ◽

Extraction Efficiency ◽

Scale Up ◽

Extraction Process ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Flowering Plant ◽

Industrial Scale ◽

Microwave Assisted ◽

Operation Conditions ◽

Assisted Extraction

Cannabis is a flowering plant that has long been used for medicinal, therapeutic, and recreational purposes. Cannabis contains more than 500 different compounds, including a unique class of terpeno-phenolic compounds known as cannabinoids. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most extensively studied cannabinoids. They have been associated with the therapeutic and medicinal properties of the cannabis plant and also with its popularity as a recreational drug. In this paper, an industrial method for cannabis extraction using 915 MHz microwaves coupled with continuous flow operation is presented. The main advantages of the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) are associated to the continuous-flow operation at atmospheric pressure which allows for higher volumes of biomass to be processed in less time than existing extraction methods, with improved extraction efficiency leading to increased final product yields, improved extract consistency and quality because the process does not require stopping and restarting material flows, and ease of scale-up to industrial scale without the use of pressurised batch vessels. Moreover, due to the flexibility of changing the operation conditions, MAE eliminates additional steps required in most extraction methods, such as biomass decarboxylation or winterisation, which typically adds at least a half day to the extraction process. Another factor that sets MAE apart is the ability to achieve high extraction efficiency, i.e., up to 95% of the active compounds from cannabis biomass can be recovered at industrial scale.

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Optimasi Ekstraksi Berbantu Gelombang Ultrasonik pada Biji Melinjo Kerikil (Gnetum gnemon L., ‘Kerikil’) Menggunakan Response Surface Methodology

Jurnal Aplikasi Teknologi Pangan ◽

10.17728/jatp.5122 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 104

Author(s):

Bambang Kunarto ◽

Sutardi Sutardi ◽

Supriyanto Supriyanto ◽

Chairil Anwar

Keyword(s):

Response Surface Methodology ◽

Response Surface ◽

Reducing Power ◽

Extraction Process ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Ultrasonic Bath ◽

Assisted Extraction ◽

Ultrasonic Assisted ◽

Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction

Biji melinjo kerikil mengandung senyawa fenolik dan resveratrol sehingga berpotensi sebagai antioksidan, oleh karena itu perlu dilakukan ekstraksi. Metoda ekstraksi konvensional (maserasi, perebusan, refluxing) mempunyai kelemahan yaitu terjadinya kerusakan senyawa fenolik akibat reaksi oksidasi, hidrolisis dan ionisasi selama proses ekstraksi. Oleh karena itu, pada penelitian ini ekstraksi biji melinjo kerikil dilakukan menggunakan metode ekstraksi berbantu gelombang ultrasonik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk optimasi ekstraksi biji melinjo kerikil berbantu gelombang ultrasonik yang dilakukan pada berbagai waktu ekstraksi, suhu ekstraksi dan konsentrasi pelarut etanol. Surface response methodology digunakan untuk optimasi kondisi ekstraksi. Biji melinjo kerikil diekstrak menggunakan ultrasonic bath pada frekuensi 40 kHz dengan berbagai suhu (25, 30, 35, 40, 45oC), waktu ekstraksi (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 menit) dan konsentrasi pelarut etanol (40, 50, 60, 70 80%). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kondisi optimum ekstraksi biji melinjo kerikil berbantu gelombang ultrasonik adalah pada suhu 30,18oC, waktu 33,01 menit dan konsentrasi pelarut etanol 71,04%. Pada kondisi ini, diperoleh yield ekstrak 18,41 ± 0,01%, total fenolik 11,26 ± 0,06 mg GAE/g, total flavonoid 533,70 ± 0,18 mg CE/100g, resveratrol 7,64 ± 0, 03%, IC50 sebesar 59,52 ± 0,04 ppm dan reducing power 76,31 ± 0,08%. Sebagai kesimpulan, optimasi ekstraksi biji melinjo kerikil berbantu gelombang ultrasonik menggunakan response surface methodology ini cukup baik karena nilai respon yang sebenarnya sesuai dengan nilai respon yang diprediksi.Melinjo kerikil seeds contain phenolic and resveratrol compounds so that it has the potential as an antioxidant, therefore extraction needs to be done. Conventional extraction methods (maceration, boiling, refluxing) have the disadvantage of devasting phenolic compounds due to oxidation, hydrolysis and ionization reactions during the extraction process. Therefore, in this study the extraction of melinjo kerikil seeds done by using the ultrasonic-assisted extraction method. The study aims to optimize ultrasonic-assisted extraction of melinjo kerikil seeds that be done at various extraction times, extraction temperatures and ethanol solvents concentrations. Response surface methodology was used to optimize experimental condition for extraction. Melinjo kerikil seeds were extracted by using ultrasonic bath at a frequency of 40 kHz with various temperatures (25, 30, 35, 40, 45oC), extraction time (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 minutes) and ethanol solvents concentrations (40, 50, 60, 70 80 %). The results showed that the optimum conditions for ultrasonic-assisted extraction of melinjo kerikil seeds were at a temperature of 30.18oC, a time of 33.01 minutes and an ethanol solvent concentration of 71.04%. In this condition, obtained the extract yield 18.41 ± 0.01%, total phenolic 11.26 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g, total flavonoids 533.70 ± 0.18 mg CE/100g, resveratrol 7.64 ± 0,03%, IC50 in the amount of 59.52 ± 0.04 ppm and reducing power 76.31 ± 0.08%. As a conclusion, the optimization ultrasonic-assisted extraction of melinjo kerikil seeds by using response surface methodology is quite good because the actual response value is in accordance with the predicted response value.

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Comparison of Different Extraction Methods for the Recovery of Olive Leaves Polyphenols

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr8091008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 1008 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ana Dobrinčić ◽

Maja Repajić ◽

Ivona Elez Garofulić ◽

Lucija Tuđen ◽

Verica Dragović-Uzelac ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Pressure ◽

Cell Wall ◽

Chlorogenic Acid ◽

Extraction Efficiency ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Extraction Techniques ◽

Olive Leaves ◽

Total Polyphenols ◽

Assisted Extraction ◽

Cell Wall Disruption

In the present study, advanced extraction techniques, microwave (MAE), ultrasound (UAE), and high pressure (HPAE)-assisted extraction, were applied to improve extraction efficiency of olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves polyphenols. The effect of sample mass (1.5 and 3 g), MAE—time (2, 8.5, and 15 min) and temperature (45 and 80 °C), UAE—time (7, 14, and 21 min) and amplitude (50 and 100%) and HPAE—time (1, 5.5, and 10 min) and pressure (300 and 500 MPa) on the concentration of each analyzed polyphenol compound was examined. Identified polyphenols were oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, verbascoside, and rutin. All three advanced extraction techniques yielded higher content of total polyphenols when compared to the conventional heat-reflux extraction (CE) along with a significant reduction of extraction time from 60 (CE) to 2, 21, and 5.5 min in MAE, UAE, and HPAE, respectively. The most intensive values of tested parameters in each technique were the ones that promoted cell wall disruption, e.g., temperature of 80 °C in MAE, 100% amplitude in UAE and 500 MPa in HPAE. MAE and UAE were more efficient in total polyphenols’ recovery than HPAE.

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Advantageous Preparation of Digested Proteic Extracts from Spirulina platensis Biomass

Catalysts ◽

10.3390/catal9020145 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 145 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Carlos Verdasco-Martín ◽

Lea Echevarrieta ◽

Cristina Otero

Keyword(s):

Extraction Methods ◽

Extraction Yield ◽

Efficient Production ◽

Cell Integrity ◽

Food Ingredients ◽

Operation Conditions ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Assisted Extraction ◽

Pharmaceutical Industries ◽

Pre Treatment

Spirulina biomass has great nutritional value, but its proteins are not as well adsorbed as animal ones are. New functional food ingredients and metabolites can be obtained from spirulina, using different selective biodegradations of its biomass. Four enzyme-assisted extraction methods were independently studied, and their best operation conditions were determined. Enzymes were employed to increase the yield of easily adsorbed proteic extracts. A biomass pre-treatment using Alcalase® (pH 6.5, 1% v/w, and 30 °C) is described, which increased the extraction yield of hydrophilic biocomponents by 90% w/w compared to the simple solvent extraction. Alcalase® gives rise to 2.5–6.1 times more amino acids than the others and eight differential short peptides (438–1493 Da). These processes were scaled up and the extracts were analyzed. Higher destruction of cell integrity in the case of Alcalase® was also visualized by transmission electron microscopy. The described extractive technology uses cheap, commercial, food grade enzymes and hexane, accepted for food and drug safety. It is a promising process for a competitive biofactory, thanks to an efficient production of extracts with high applied potential in the nutrition, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.

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A Review of the Different Methods Applied in Ginsenoside Extraction From Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius Roots

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x19868393 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 1934578X1986839

Author(s):

Jonghwan Jegal ◽

Eun Ju Jeong ◽

Min Hye Yang

Keyword(s):

High Pressure ◽

Panax Ginseng ◽

Extraction Efficiency ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Panax Quinquefolius ◽

Ultrahigh Pressure ◽

Efficient Technology ◽

Ginseng Saponin ◽

Assisted Extraction ◽

Pressure Extraction

Ginseng saponins, also called ginsenosides, are the main active ingredients of Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius and are often used as qualitative and quantitative markers in the regulation of ginseng products. Various methods have been used to extract the major ginsenosides, such as ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, and Rf from P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius. The objective of this paper is to review the studies regarding the influence of different extraction systems on ginsenoside amount and pattern in P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius roots. Although traditional extraction methods, Soxhlet and heat reflux extractions, have many disadvantages, including long extraction times and low extraction efficiency, they are the most widely used methods for ginseng saponin extraction. The amount and pattern of ginsenosides found in P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius roots differ depending on the method of extraction. In particular, the total ginsenoside amount and extraction efficiency can be significantly increased with the use of advanced extraction techniques that apply the conditions of high temperature and/or high pressure, such as pressurized liquid extraction, high-pressure microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and pulsed electric field extraction. Among several advanced extraction procedures, ultrahigh-pressure extraction is thought to offer the most advanced and efficient technology in that it requires only a few minutes for ginseng saponin extraction.

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A Dynamic Model for Ultrasonic – assisted Extraction of Bio-active Compounds from Natural Products

ASEAN Journal of Chemical Engineering ◽

10.22146/ajche.49741 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 35 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Trung Kien Tran ◽

Lan Huong Phung ◽

Hoai Nga Le ◽

Thi Thu Huyen Nguyen ◽

Xuan Son Nghiem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Products ◽

Dynamic Model ◽

Curcuma Longa ◽

Scale Up ◽

Extraction Process ◽

Sophora Japonica ◽

Assisted Extraction ◽

Ultrasonic Assisted ◽

Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction ◽

Active Substances

Ultrasonic technique has been applied for extraction processes, especially for separation of bio-active substances from natural organic products because of the short time requirement, energy saving and easy operating. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UE) therefore becomes a promising option. However, a major available obstacle was the lack of appropriate models for designing technological process. This paper presents a dynamic model for the UE process, application of separation of bio-active substances from natural products such as Curcumin from rhizome of Curcuma Longa L., Epigallocatechin from green tea leaf of Camellia Sinensis and Rutin from bud of Sophora Japonica. The agreement between data from experiment and calculated ones with the model indicates that, this dynamic model is suitable for prediction of the UE process and for serving as the base for further investigation into scale-up the extraction process.

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Citrus Bioactive Limonoid Extraction using Environment-friendly Hydrotropy

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.41.4.1008c ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 1008C-1008

Author(s):

Deepak Dandekar ◽

G. K. Jayaprakasha ◽

Bhimanagouda Patil

Keyword(s):

Extraction Efficiency ◽

Design Method ◽

Maximum Yield ◽

Extraction Process ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Raw Material ◽

Extraction Temperature ◽

Optimum Conditions ◽

Environment Friendly ◽

Health Promoting

Citrus consumption has been shown to promote human health due to presence of several bioactive compounds. In the process of understanding the health benefits of citrus, we need to isolate and characterize these compounds. Limonoids are one of such prominent, but lesser-known phytonutrients that have been shown to prevent cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, and colon. With the growing interest in the health-promoting properties of citrus limonoids, the demand for these bioactives has significantly increased. It has been critical to explore environment-friendly extraction methods rather than using hazardous organic solvents. A water-based hydrotropic extraction of limonoid aglycones from sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) seeds was developed. Two hydrotropes, sodium salicylate (Na-Sal) and sodium cumene sulfonate (Na-CuS), were studied for extraction efficiency using the Box Behnken experiment design method. The extraction efficiency of prominent aglycone limonin was observed depending on hydrotrope concentration, extraction temperature, and percentage of raw material loading. Response Surface Analysis (RSA) of data predicted the optimum conditions for maximum yield. Recovery of aglycones from filtered extract is also easily achieved by mere dilution using water at pH 3 or 7 or by partitioning the extract with dichloromethane. At optimum conditions, limonin yield of 0.46 mg/g seeds in the case of Na-Sal extraction and 0.65 mg/g seeds in the case of Na-CuS extraction was achieved. The results demonstrated that the hydrotropic extraction process of limonoid aglycones has practical commercial importance. This project is based upon work supported by the USDA–CSREES IFAFS #2001 52102 02294 and USDA–CSREES #2005-34402-14401 “Designing Foods for Health” through the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center.

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Development and optimization of technology for the extraction and conversion of micro algal lipids to biodiesel

10.51415/10321/1282 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Krishan Ramluckan

Keyword(s):

Extraction Efficiency ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Base Catalysis ◽

Biodiesel Production ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Microwave Assisted ◽

In Situ Method ◽

Assisted Extraction ◽

Soxhlet Method

Fossil fuel reserves have been diminishing worldwide thus making them very scarce in the long term. These fuel sources and their by-products which are used commercially tend to produce large quantities of emissions. Some of them are believed to be toxic to flora and fauna. It is primarily for this reason that researchers worldwide have begun to seek out alternative sources of environmentally safe fuel. Biodiesel from algae is one of these sources that have been examined over the last few decades. Biodiesel has been produced from other plant-based material and waste oils in countries like America and Japan. However, the use of food based crops for biodiesel production has been challenged as it has an impact on food production on an international scale. Algae have only recently been investigated for their feasibility for biodiesel production on a large scale. The aim of this study was to investigate and develop technologies for biodiesel production from algae. The species of algae chosen were chlorella sp and scenedesmus sp., since they are indigeneous to Kwazulu Natal in South Africa. Samples were obtained from a local raceway pond and prepared for analysis. Drying protocols used freeze, oven and sun drying for initial preparation of the samples for analysis. Sun drying was the least energy intensive but most time consuming. At laboratory scale, oven drying was chosen as the best alternative. Lipid extraction methods investigated were the separating funnel method, the soxhlet method, microwave assisted extraction (MAE) and the expeller press. Thirteen solvents covering a range of polarities were used with the extraction methods to determine the efficiency of the solvent with these methods. Optimization of the MAE method was conducted using both the one factor at a time (OFAT) method and a design of experiment (DOE) statistical method. The shelf life of algal biomass was determined by ageing the samples for approximately three months. Direct and in-situ transesterification of lipid extracts to produce biodiesel was investigated using both acid and base catalysis. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and gas chromatography (GC). Chemical and physical characterization of the biodiesel produced from the algal lipid extracts were compared to both local and international standard specifications for biodiesel. In terms of extraction efficiency, it was found that soxhlet and microwave assisted extraction methods were almost equally good. This was proved by the MAE method yielding an average of 10.0% lipids for chloroform, ethanol and hexane after 30 mL of solvent was used in an extraction time of 10 minutes, while the soxhlet method yielded 10.36% lipids using an extraction volume of 100 mL of solvent with an extraction time of 3 hours. Chloroform, ethanol and hexane were more efficient than the other ten solvents used. This was shown by these three solvents producing lipid quantities between 10% to 11% while all the other solvents produced lipid quantities between 2 and 10 %. The best extraction efficiency was achieved by the binary solvent mixture made up of chloroform and ethanol in a 1:1 ratio. Under the conditions optimized, this solvent ratio yielded a lipid content of 11.76%. The methods chosen and optimized for extraction are very efficient, but the actual cost of production of biodiesel need to be determined. Physical methods like the expeller press are not feasible for extraction of the type of biomass produced unless algae are pelletized to improve extraction. This will impact on the cost of producing biodiesel. The transesterification protocols investigated show that the base catalysis produced biodiesel with a ratio of saturates to unsaturates conducive to a good fuel product. The direct esterification method in this study proved to be better than the in-situ method for biodiesel production. The in-situ method was also more labour intensive. Chromatography was found to be a fast and efficient method for qualitative and quantitative determination of biodiesel. Characterization tests showed that the quality of biodiesel produced was satisfactory. It also showed that the methods used in this study were feasible for the satisfactory production of biodiesel which meets local and international specifications.

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Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Procyanidins Using Ionic Liquid Solution fromLarix gmeliniiBark

Journal of Chemistry ◽

10.1155/2013/541037 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Xiaowei Sun ◽

Zhimin Jin ◽

Lei Yang ◽

Jingwei Hao ◽

Yuangang Zu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ionic Liquid ◽

Ionic Liquids ◽

Extraction Efficiency ◽

Liquid Solution ◽

Extraction Process ◽

Ultrasonic Power ◽

Assisted Extraction ◽

Ultrasonic Time ◽

Ultrasonic Assisted ◽

Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction

An ionic liquid-based ultrasonic-assisted extraction method has been developed for the effective extraction of procyanidins fromLarix gmeliniibark. So as to evaluate the performance of ionic liquids in ultrasonic-assisted extraction process, the effects caused by changes in the anion and the alkyl chain length of the cation on the extraction efficiency were investigated in this paper. The results indicated that the characteristics of anions had remarkable effects on the extraction efficiency of procyanidins, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Bmim]Br) aqueous solution was the best among the investigated ionic liquids. The optimum conditions for the extraction were as follows: [Bmim]Br concentration 1.25 M, soak time 3 h, solid-liquid ratio 1 : 10, ultrasonic power 150 W, and ultrasonic time 30 min. This work not only introduces a simple, green, and highly efficient sample preparation method for extraction of procyanidins fromL. gmeliniibark, but also reveals the tremendous application potential of ionic liquids.

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Potential Risk of Higenamine Misuse in Sports: Evaluation of Lotus Plumule Extract Products and a Human Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12020285 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 285 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ching-Chi Yen ◽

Chun-Wei Tung ◽

Chih-Wei Chang ◽

Chin-Chuan Tsai ◽

Mei-Chich Hsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extraction Efficiency ◽

Human Study ◽

Chinese Herb ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Microwave Assisted ◽

Assisted Extraction ◽

World Anti Doping Agency ◽

Study Participants ◽

Phytochemical Components ◽

Β2 Agonist

Since 2017, higenamine has been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list as a β2-agonist prohibited at all times for sportspersons. According to WADA’s report, positive cases of higenamine misuse have been increasing yearly. However, higenamine occurs naturally in the Chinese herb lotus plumule—the green embryo of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) seeds—commercially available as concentrated powder on the Asian market. This study evaluated the major phytochemical components of lotus plumule products using an appropriate extraction method, followed by a human study in which the products were orally administered in multiple doses to investigate the risk of doping violations. Comparing various extraction methods revealed that optimized microwave-assisted extraction exhibited the highest extraction efficiency (extraction time, 26 min; power, 1046 W; and temperature, 120 °C). Subsequently, the alkaloids in lotus plumule products were quantitatively confirmed and compared. Human study participants (n = 6) consumed 0.8 g of lotus plumule (equivalent to 679.6 μg of higenamine) three times daily for three consecutive days. All participants’ urinary higenamine concentrations exceeded the WADA reporting cut-off of 10.0 ng/mL. Accordingly, lotus plumule consumption may engender adverse analytical findings regarding higenamine. Athletes should avoid consuming lotus plumule-containing products during in- and out-of-competition periods.

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