CO2 vs. Alcohol - extraction
The different CBD extraction methods
We as a manufacturer of genuine, high quality Cannabis CBD extract have consciously decided to use alcohol as a solvent. Our flowers are carefully processed by hand in regional production facilities by cannabis specialists. This is a rarity, as the majority of the available CBD extracts are produced in large factories using carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Basically CBD is soluble in alcohol as well as in CO₂. Therefore both substances are generally suitable for dissolving the contained cannabidiol from the plant material. But what is the difference?
The extraction with CO₂ is an extremely complex process in which a large amount of valuable ingredients gets wasted.
The CO₂ extraction is an exceptionally elaborate process in which the flowers and the solvent must be exposed to the necessary pressure and the right temperature in special facilities.
While carbon dioxide does dissolve the CBD from the hemp, it also releases a lot of undesirable substances such as waxes and chlorophyll. Therefore CO₂ extracts have to be cleaned in many time-consuming steps before they can be used.
On the other hand, valuable amino acids, other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids are not or only partially soluble in CO₂. So a lot of awesome ingredients are lost during the CO₂ extraction.
Alcohol is the only suitable solvent for producing real full spectrum extract, as it dissolves the entire spectrum of cannabinoids, valuable terpenes, amino acids and other beneficial substances from the plants.
The situation is quite different when it comes to alcohol extraction. Instead of dissolving unwanted waste products such as wax, the alcohol is able to release other cannabinoids, terpenes, amino acids and other beneficial substances from the plants.
The resulting extract is much purer, clearer in colour and better in taste. It contains the full spectrum of cannabinoids and can be utilized much better by the human body (i.e. it is more bioavailable).
So when it comes to producing a particularly clean extract that exploits the full potential of the hemp plant and carries it into the concentrated power of cannabis, alcohol is the only suitable solvent.
Industrial factories for CO₂ extraction are available on a large scale. Therefore most manufacturers use this extraction method despite the poorer quality of the end product.
The reason why most producers of cannabis extracts choose the CO₂ method is as simple as it is a pity. Especially in Europe, the extraction sites for alcohol extracts are only available in a small scale. Although alcohol extraction is basically the cheaper option, many producers use the already existing infrastructure for the CO₂ extraction. They process their plant material in large, industrial complexes, which are also used for the commercial processing of herbs and spices.
For our customers, we as a manufacturer want to offer only top-quality products. Therefore, as always, we go our own way. Contrary to the general public, we at Bushplanet produce on a regional level and use the better method of extraction with alcohol.