Cannabinoid Purification via Solvent Extraction and Crystallization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating and purifying cannabinoids from cannabis plants are either expensive or inefficient, particularly in reducing THC content while maintaining therapeutic levels of non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD, and often involve cumbersome chromatographic processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of non-polar solvents to extract and crystallize cannabinoids, followed by solvent reduction and recrystallization steps, which allows for high-yield purification of cannabinoids with purity levels exceeding 95% without the need for chromatographic techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If chromatographic processes (Flash chromatography, preparative HPLC, supercritical CO2 chromatography) are used to purify cannabinoid compounds, then purification effectiveness is improved, but process complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates specific cannabinoid compounds (CBD, CBG, CBN, THC) from cannabis plant material using solvent extraction followed by chromatographic separation. The key innovation is using preparative HPLC with specific mobile phases (e.g., 95:5 water:acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid) and C18 reverse-phase columns to selectively extract and purify individual cannabinoids, achieving >95% purity while removing unwanted plant constituents and other cannabinoids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in the chromatographic process, including adjusting mobile phase composition (gradient elution from 95:5 to 80:20 water:acetonitrile), flow rates (10-50 mL/min), column temperature (25-40°C), and stationary phase selection (C18, C8, silica gel) to optimize separation of different cannabinoid compounds based on their polarity and molecular structure.
2Quantity of substance
If selective breeding of cannabis varietals with increased CBD:THC ratio is performed, then CBD content is improved, but THC content cannot be eliminated and smoking disadvantages remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates specific cannabinoid compounds (CBD, CBG, CBN, THC) from cannabis plant material using solvent extraction followed by chromatographic separation. The key innovation is using preparative HPLC with specific mobile phases (e.g., 95:5 water:acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid) and C18 reverse-phase columns to selectively extract and purify individual cannabinoids, achieving >95% purity while removing unwanted plant constituents and other cannabinoids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in the chromatographic process, including adjusting mobile phase composition (gradient elution from 95:5 to 80:20 water:acetonitrile), flow rates (10-50 mL/min), column temperature (25-40°C), and stationary phase selection (C18, C8, silica gel) to optimize separation of different cannabinoid compounds based on their polarity and molecular structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fractionating columns and chromatographic techniques are used to selectively manage or eliminate THC, then THC content is reduced, but the processes become tedious and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates specific cannabinoid compounds (CBD, CBG, CBN, THC) from cannabis plant material using solvent extraction followed by chromatographic separation. The key innovation is using preparative HPLC with specific mobile phases (e.g., 95:5 water:acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid) and C18 reverse-phase columns to selectively extract and purify individual cannabinoids, achieving >95% purity while removing unwanted plant constituents and other cannabinoids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in the chromatographic process, including adjusting mobile phase composition (gradient elution from 95:5 to 80:20 water:acetonitrile), flow rates (10-50 mL/min), column temperature (25-40°C), and stationary phase selection (C18, C8, silica gel) to optimize separation of different cannabinoid compounds based on their polarity and molecular structure.
4Reliability
If smoking is used to administer cannabis for medicinal purposes, then therapeutic effects are achieved, but carcinogen exposure and pulmonary decline occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates specific cannabinoid compounds (CBD, CBG, CBN, THC) from cannabis plant material using solvent extraction followed by chromatographic separation. The key innovation is using preparative HPLC with specific mobile phases (e.g., 95:5 water:acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid) and C18 reverse-phase columns to selectively extract and purify individual cannabinoids, achieving >95% purity while removing unwanted plant constituents and other cannabinoids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in the chromatographic process, including adjusting mobile phase composition (gradient elution from 95:5 to 80:20 water:acetonitrile), flow rates (10-50 mL/min), column temperature (25-40°C), and stationary phase selection (C18, C8, silica gel) to optimize separation of different cannabinoid compounds based on their polarity and molecular structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively isolates and purifies cannabinoids, specifically achieving high purity levels of CBG, CBGA, and CBD, enabling the production of pharmaceutical compositions with reduced THC content, thus addressing the inefficiencies and costs of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
incubating the plant material with a first non-polar solvent to form a first solvent mixture which extracts the one or more cannabinoids from a plant material
Implementation Method 2
incubating the reduced first solvent mixture in a manner that crystallizes the one or more cannabinoids
Implementation Method 3
incubating the one or more crystallized cannabinoids with a second non-polar solvent to form a second solvent mixture
Implementation Method 4
incubating the second solvent mixture in a manner that crystallizes the one or more cannabinoids, thereby resulting in the purification of one or more cannabinoids
Data Source
AI summary
The present specification discloses methods of purifying one or more cannabinoids from a plant material, purified cannabinoids and pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more cannabinoids produced by the disclosed method, methods and uses for treating a disease or condition employing such purified cannabinoids and pharmaceutical compositions.