Study of the Kinetics of Extraction Process for The Production of Hemp Inflorescences Extracts by Means of Conventional Maceration (CM) and Rapid Solid-Liquid Dynamic Extraction (RSLDE)

Daniele Naviglio,Martina Ciaravolo,Gaetano Formato,Monica Gallo,Andrea Formato

doi:10.3390/separations7020020

Daniele Naviglio, Martina Ciaravolo + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/separations7020020

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Journal: Separations	Publication Date: Mar 30, 2020
Citations: 9	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Naples Federico II, Eni (Italy)

Abstract

In the present work, the kinetics of the extraction process from female inflorescences of Canapa sativa subsp. sativa var. sativa were studied, on the basis of determination of the content of cannabinoids: cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), before and after decarboxylation in the oven, in order to evaluate the possible use of the hemp extract obtained in the food sector. Therefore, both conventional maceration (CM) and rapid solid-liquid dynamic extraction (RSLDE), also known as cyclically pressurized extraction (CPE), were carried out, using parts of the plant approximately of the same size. The alcoholic extracts thus obtained were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in order to calculate the percentages of cannabinoids present in the inflorescences and thus be able to evaluate the degree of decarboxylation. Furthermore, the extracts were dried to calculate the percentage of solid material present in it, that was made mainly by cannabinoids. The amount of substance extracted from the inflorescences was about 10% (w/w), for both cases considered. Therefore, the extraction yield was the same in the two cases examined and the final qualities were almost identical. However, the extraction times were significantly different. In fact, the maceration of hemp inflorescences in ethyl alcohol was completed in no less than 24 h, while with the RSLDE the extraction was completed in only 4 h. Finally, for a better understanding of the extraction process with cyclically pressurized extraction, a numerical simulation was carried out which allowed to better evaluate the influence of extractive parameters.

Highlights

Cannabis (Linneus, 1753) or hemp is a genus of angiosperm plants of the Cannabaceae family [1,2].There are different varieties of hemp, in turn divided into subspecies; the three best known and used species are: sativa, indica and ruderalis
Experimental tests have shown that hemp lost 11%–12% in weight after drying; as already described above, acid cannabinoids (CBDA and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)) undergo heat through non
The whole production process of the hemp extracts described in this work can be defined as ecological

Summary

Introduction

Cannabis (Linneus, 1753) or hemp is a genus of angiosperm plants of the Cannabaceae family [1,2].There are different varieties of hemp, in turn divided into subspecies; the three best known and used species are: sativa, indica and ruderalis. Hemp has always been used in various sectors, such as textiles, nanomaterials, food and so on, as it is easy to grow, is resistant and needs little attention. Separations 2020, 7, 20 sector, for example, hemp flour can be produced for both sweet and savory baked goods. A product of hemp is the oil obtained by squeezing the seeds. This oil, rich in omega-3 and omega-6, lowers cholesterol levels in the blood and, taken constantly, helps strengthen the immune system. It can be used in the cosmetic sector and even as a fuel [3]. Starting in the 1930s, strict legislation limited the use of hemp due to a psychotropic molecule present inside it, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

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