Terpenes are volatile aromatic compounds which are ubiquitous in nature and prevalent in cannabis. All cannabis strains have a unique composition of terpenes with one to two major terpenes e.g. b-myrcene, and/or limonene being more abundant. Overall terpenes have a variety of medicinal benefits and are responsible for the stereotypical effects of the indica and sativa cannabis categorization.  Throughout the extraction and refinement of cannabis, the plant’s biomass is taken through several steps to separate out various plant materials in order to have an adequate molecular distillation of delta nine tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oil. The initial sample of the plant material will contain several phytochemicals including terpenes which can be extracted through various methods. Advantages of removing terpenes prior to distillation include decrease vapor pressures and competition for energy throughout the molecular distillation process; and they can be utilized for various research and development projects. Extraction methodologies such as steam distillation, CO2, or post extract rotary evaporation to remove terpenes are essential to prepare crude extracts for molecular refinement without any residual trace of terpenes which would result in an after taste with THC oil infused food. Therefore, assuring quality of the extraction and refinement processes will result in quality formulations of foods and cosmetic products made with THC oil.  Data collected via gas chromatography flame ionization detection (GC-FID) from byproducts of various extractions methods can determine the levels of terpenes in each and inform processes for a complete removal of terpenes.<br/>

Comparison of methods for complete removal of terpenes during extraction

2019 Fall National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.