In the botanical industry, there are many options
available for extracting soluble components of plants. However solvent
extraction is the easiest, most inexpensive and fastest method. Solvent
Extraction as the name says is extraction of essential oils from plants by
using a solvent. Solvent extraction is also considered to be the safest forms
of extraction process and provide quite similar results compared to other
options available. This process is used on plants that cannot resist heat and
thereby making it easy to capture their fragrances.
Steps to
follow for a safe, easy and fastest extraction process:
Ethanol is a one of the widely used and most popular high-proof
alcohol used for solvent extraction.
It is safe to use it for infused edibles and at the
same time can be used with any type of container. Ethanol is well-known to provide uniform results and
is easily recoverable from the substance.
Step 1: Soak
Soak the plant material completely in the ethanol and
leave this mixture for 24 hours in an ultralow temperature freezer. Observe what happens. The soluble
components will separate effortlessly from the ethanol.
Step 2: Filter
With a Buchner funnel and a vacuum flask remove all
the solid materials. This will leave behind a solution of ethanol and extract
remains.
Step 3: Set
Apart
Using a rotary evaporator, the extract needs to be
separated from the ethanol. For quicker evaporation connect the rotary
evaporator with the vacuum pump. The resulting extract will be completely free
of ethanol. A variety of rotary evaporators are available ranging from
laboratory research use to large scale production plants. A Heating bath could
be purchased separately to accelerate solvent recovery.
After going through all the above steps of
extraction, the extract is now ready for the next phase of the process.
Process for a
purer extract
A process of winterization is recommended for a purer
extract of essential oils from the plant. In this process, the fats, plant lipids
or any kind of waxes are removed from the extract remains. At this stage,
ethanol can be added to the extract, repeat the filter step followed by the
rotary evaporator to boil off the ethanol. This is the purest version of the
extract that can be further dried in a laboratory oven or readily infused.
Note: A distillation apparatus will require
recirculating chiller to keep the ethanol at the appropriate temperature.
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