The cannabis plant undergoes a unique life cycle that culminates with a bountiful harvest of trichome-soaked buds.
When trichomes and terpenes are dried and cured, they can lose their properties. Because of their relatively lower boiling points, terpenes dry up faster than cannabinoids like CBD and THC. For this reason, taking care during the harvesting of terpenes is a more delicate process.
By using high pressure and heat during the extraction process, most terpenes are likely to be lost. As a result, professional pot extractors and consumers are left with a diluted product compared to its original terpene profile.
If your primary concern is yield and terpene preservation, then some extraction methods will stand out over others. Read on to better understand these methods.
Ethanol Extraction
In addition to its safety, reliability, and efficiency, ethanol extraction is also considered cost-effective. In order to yield a modest amount of terpenes, the plant is washed with ethanol at a low temperature and low pressure.
A major drawback of ethanol solvent is that it binds to water-soluble molecules, specifically chlorophyll and some waxes.
Purification post-extraction can remove the flavour, but it also reduces the cannabinoid and terpene content.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Extraction
CO₂ is applied at high pressure and at low temperatures, which turns the gas into a liquid for extraction.
The big advantage of the CO₂ method is the ability to extract terpenes only by tuning the solvent’s solubility. However, a concern with CO₂ is a lower cannabinoid yield.
Hydrocarbon Extraction
The most common hydrocarbon extractor solutions are butane and propane. Its low-temperature, low-pressure approach yields high cannabinoid levels and full-spectrum terpenes without the bitter taste of chlorophyll.
Another trusted extractor in the food industry, hydrocarbon, has become a favourite in the cannabis industry because of its quick extraction process and consistent, high-terpene preservation and yield.
Best High-Terpene Extraction Method: Hydrocarbon Extraction
Ideally, every extraction process begins with the highest-quality plants you can find. Hydrocarbon extraction, however, is recognized as the most effective way to honour the original components of the plant.
Science Explains What Happens
Cannabis plants contain terpenes in their trichomes, which look like shiny, sticky mushrooms. Their funny appearance, though, should not take away from their inherent value.
Trichomes are vital sources of therapeutic, medicinal, and recreational compounds, which are now only being discovered. Given its delicate consistency, the production of trichomes has to be done with care or else the terpenes can be lost forever.
If the efficacy of the plant is significantly diminished with harvesting and subsequent storage, then so do the dollar values to the seller.
As well as prolonging shelf-life, our bags preserve the cannabinoid profile of the flower and ensure nothing interferes with your yield. During the curing process, we only use food-grade polyethylene resins to preserve terpenes and quality.
Below is a list of three factors, which, if avoided, will ensure that the trichomes are not damaged and, consequently, the terpenes are not lost:
- Evaporation: Terpenes disappear from the plant through evaporation.
- Oxidation: Trichomes contain THC and CBD, and then transform into CBN (cannabinol) with oxidation.
- Breakage: When the flower is too dry, trichomes become brittle and then break off.
All three of these pot problems can be minimized or prevented with the proper humidity control.
Once sealed, gas flush bags will preserve the freshness and valuable cannabinoid profile of properly dried and cured cannabis and provide increased shelf-life for further processing.
The Importance of Terpene Retention
Clinical research has primarily focused on cannabinoids (THC/CBD) until recently. In spite of this, scientists are beginning to recognize the importance of terpenes and are investigating their potential as complementary therapeutic agents.
For medicinal users of marijuana, the full spectrum of cannabinoid extracts containing terpenes, flavonoids, and other essential oils produces a better therapeutic response.
Although terpenes may only play a small part in the internal chemical connection between cannabis compounds and our endocannabinoid system, they are no doubt an important component of the plant.
They can provide a sharper and more effective experience over the relative effects of THC or CBD alone.
Preliminary studies have proven that terpenes have the following health benefits:
- Anti-anxiety
- Antidepressant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain relief
- Anticancer
- Antifungal
- Neuroprotective
- Virus fighter
Terpenes in Cannabis Extracts
The increased demand for cannabis extracts in products such as edibles, vapes, and oils has fostered further development and study of terpenes.
Shelf-ready products like drinkables or edibles appeal to consumers who do not want to smoke the plant.
Producers of such products have gotten creative by infusing multiple sources of terpenes to recreate signature smells, tastes, and euphoric effects.
As we know, terpenes can be lost during extraction, so pot producers are scrambling to create the perfect recipe and production processes to meet the demands of discerning customers.
You Can’t Have Cannabinoids Without Terpenes
As the saying goes, “You can’t have one without the other.” This holds true for natural cannabinoids and terpenes. In essence, terpenes play a major supporting role for THC and CBD.
They also create an opportunity for producers to provide exciting and interesting pot products. The complexity of terpenes in cannabis enables producers to create more authentic smells and flavours.
In addition, they produce a subtle boost in buzz.
Each cannabinoid has a specific function in activating certain cells, and terpenes help to solidify this effect. For example, THC is known to affect the nervous system, while some terpenes can increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier.
Terpenes are also believed to increase, accelerate, or lengthen the health benefits of cannabinoids. Essentially, the “entourage effect” explains how one chemical compound works with the other to make it more effective.
With more research comes a better understanding of the intermingled role that cannabinoids and terpenes play. As the industry continues to grow and the demand for cannabinoid extracts like edibles or vapes increases, producers are responding with a variety of interesting pot-potent products.
Terpenes are no longer an afterthought, and today’s savvy cannabis consumer has developed a nose for them.
At Polysprout, our terpene bags keep your cannabis fresh, ensuring the terpenes are protected.
We offer an entire range of products designed to maximize yields and protect your product from curing to delivery. We offer superior terpene protection and preservation for your cannabis flower to ensure your end-user receives the freshest product for added enjoyment.
Speak to our team today to learn more about the products available in order to protect your high-value cannabis harvest.