Quick and Easy Extracts
Extraction of plant extracts is both a science and an art that makes it possible to obtain the best from plants — from valuable terpenes to active compounds — while removing unwanted components such as waxes, fats and plant material. Whether you choose solvent-based methods or a safer solventless route, the key is selecting the right procedure. Dive with us into the fascinating world of extractions, where traditional approaches meet cutting-edge technologies, and discover how each can affect the final product.
The goal of extraction is to separate active components (terpenes, active compounds) from unwanted ones such as fats, waxes or plant material. Various techniques to achieve this are divided into two basic categories depending on whether solvents are required for the extraction.
Solvent-based extraction: These extraction methods use organic solvents (butane, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, dimethyl ether, CO₂) that separate trichomes (resin) from the organic material. This is followed by a separation process in which the resulting extract is heated, stirred or otherwise processed to produce a concentrated product.
Solventless extraction: Solventless extraction methods include a range of techniques from traditional sieving to modern water separation and pressing. In these techniques, trichomes are separated from the plant material mechanically, using agitation, pressure, heat or cold.
Each of the extraction methods mentioned above has its advantages and disadvantages. The main differences between techniques are yield and quality of the final product. The types of extracts obtained differ in appearance, structure, consistency, active compound content and purity, depending on the quality of the starting material and the extraction processes used.
Solventless extraction methods
