In The LAB
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Supercritical fluid extraction, sometimes referred to more specifically as CO2 extraction, on the other hand provides this exact type of tunability [6]. This tunability, when harnessed correctly, ensures two things. First, that the compounds in the starting plant material are completely extracted. Second, that degradation is minimized resulting in an extract that contains the ratios of compounds identical that found in nature. These two principles are the core of any nature identical process.
Cannabis is a complex matrix full of hundreds if not thousands of beneficially bioactive molecules. To fully harness the entourage effect created by these compounds interacting synergistically in humans, a complex process must be developed. In doing so, an extract or product can be generated that carries through all the potential of the starting raw material into a wide range of products for various routes of administration. Current research suggests that products that take this approach can provide stronger, more targeted, reproducible, and predictable efficacies in humans than a single molecule approach.
References:
1. Russo, E. B. “Taming THC: Potential Cannabis Synergy and Phytocannabinoid-Terpenoid Entourage Effects.” British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 163, no. 7, 2011, pp. 1344–1364., doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x.
2. Sweeney, C. “Goal-Oriented Extraction Processes.” Cannabis Science and Technology, vol 1, 2018, pp 54-57.
3. Sweeney, C. “The Four Pillars of Quality Cannabis Processing.” Ganjapreneur, 1 June 2018, www.ganjapreneur.com/the-four-pillars-of-quality-cannabis-processing/.
4. Sweeney, C. “The Four Pillars of Cannabis Processing.” Cannabis Industry Journal, 11 June 2018, www.cannabisindustryjournal.com/feature_article/the-four-pillars-of-cannabis-processing/.
5. Andre, C. M., et al. “Cannabis Sativa: The Plant of the Thousand and One Molecules.” Frontiers in Plant Science, vol. 7, 4 Feb. 2016, doi:10.3389/fpls.2016.00019
6. M. Mukhopadhyay, Natural Extracts Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 2015).