What is CO2 Extraction

Supercritical CO2 Extraction Machine co2 extraction machine is a process that uses pressurized carbon dioxide to extract the desired phytochemicals from the plant. In the world of cannabis, this process extracts all of the essential cannabinoids, terpene oils and waxes from the plant material. The extraction process produces an amber colored oil (CO2 oil) that can be vaporized by the consumer in several different ways.
Carbon Dioxide Extraction
What is Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is considered a "tunable solvent" making it extremely versatile. By controlling temperature and pressure, CO2 can be used effectively to create a wide variety of end products.
Why use CO2

At certain temperatures and pressures, CO2 acts like a solvent. However, CO2 does not have the same dangers associated with solvents. In addition, many manufacturers are using CO2 as a way to create pure, clean, quality oils with little to no post-treatment. This is a significant difference between CO2 and many other toxic solvent products.
What is Supercritical CO2

Supercritical CO2 extraction is another term for CO2 extraction. While it is not the only form of extraction, when we talk about the most commonly used extraction, we are referring to supercritical CO2 extraction. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is usually presented as a gas at standard temperature and pressure (i.e., Earth). However, supercritical CO2 refers to the fluid state of CO2, which is performed above its critical temperature and pressure.

Carbon dioxide extraction is already a routine extraction method in the food and herbal supplement industries. Also, many people may not know that carbon dioxide extraction is used to remove caffeine from coffee beans so that manufacturers can produce decaffeinated coffee. In addition, carbon dioxide is used as an extraction solvent for the production of essential oils.

CO2 extraction is now also a very important part of the cannabis industry.

Here's how it works (in a nutshell) ......

The first step is when the extractor passes the gaseous carbon dioxide through a chamber where it will be subjected to an extremely low (-70°F) temperature and increased pressure. This will cause the gas to change into a liquid (hooray, science). In this state, carbon dioxide exhibits special properties so that when it is reheated and pressurized, it becomes supercritical.

Supercritical fluids have properties that are intermediate between those of gases and liquids. For example, a supercritical fluid can fill a space like a gas; however, still retain its liquid-like density.

Next, the supercritical fluid passes through a chamber containing raw cannabis. The supercritical fluid can pass through the raw cannabis while gently dissolving the membrane of the trichomes. This allows for the capture of many active compounds.
Carbon dioxide extraction
What is subcritical CO2

Subcritical (low temperature and low pressure) supercritical co2 extraction machine CO2 extractions are not as common as supercritical CO2 extractions, as they require more time and less product. Interestingly, subcritical CO2 extraction retains essential oils, terpenes and other sensitive chemicals within the plant. In contrast, supercritical is a high-pressure and high-temperature process.
Why is supercritical CO2 so powerful?

Whether you fully understand the process of CO2 extraction or not, (and we understand - it can be quite complicated for those of us who are not scientists) here is the important part you need to know!

Supercritical CO2 extraction allows extractors to isolate, capture, and scientifically study and understand cannabinoids. Research on known cannabinoids such as THC and CBD is becoming more and more specific. However, there are over a hundred other cannabinoids that are relatively unstudied, such as cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabicitran (CBT).
Questions to ponder

Consider this: not long ago, we were apparently unaware of the amazing health benefits of CBD. Now, new laws are being passed and old ones are being revisited to see how we can benefit from CBD in the medical field.

Imagine if CBD hadn't been studied. Now think of the other 100+ cannabinoids that exist. Carbon dioxide extraction is paramount to be able to understand the unknown medical benefits of other, less common cannabinoids. Additionally, once experts begin to understand how cannabinoids work individually, they can begin to study how they work together. A theory known as the "Entourage Effect" explains the benefits of the different cannabinoids when they are used together. However, we can only begin to understand this theory once we understand the cannabinoids individually. This is why CO2 extraction is so important.