Cannabinoid Stabilization via Endogenous Cannabinoic Acids
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Solution Overview
Problem
High purity active cannabinoids are prone to oxidation when exposed to air, leading to the formation of undesirable quinone-containing compounds and color changes, which are challenging to prevent without using non-cannabis derived antioxidants that may pose health risks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a small percentage of cannabinoic acids, such as THCA, into high purity active cannabinoid products to stabilize them, thereby reducing oxidation and color changes without the need for exogenous antioxidants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high purity active cannabinoids are isolated and stored, then product purity and potency are improved, but oxidation and color changes occur leading to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
Acidic cannabinoids serve as intermediary substances that mediate between the active cannabinoids and oxygen, preventing direct oxidation of the active cannabinoids while maintaining product purity and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses endogenous acidic cannabinoids naturally present in the cannabis extract to protect the active cannabinoids, eliminating the need for external antioxidants and achieving self-stabilization
2Reliability
If exogenous antioxidants are added to prevent oxidation, then product stability is improved, but health risks and product safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes endogenous acidic cannabinoids naturally present in the cannabis plant to provide antioxidant protection, eliminating the need for exogenous antioxidants and associated health risks
Solution Approach 2:
The naturally occurring acidic cannabinoids, which would otherwise be considered impurities limiting product potency, are converted into beneficial protective agents that prevent oxidation and enhance product stability
3Reliability
If acidic cannabinoids are incorporated into active cannabinoid media, then oxidation resistance is improved, but incorporation difficulty increases due to high lattice energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter to melt the acidic cannabinoids, transforming them from a solid crystalline state with high lattice energy to a liquid state that can be easily incorporated into the active cannabinoid media
Solution Approach 2:
The acidic cannabinoids undergo a phase transition from solid to liquid state through heating, enabling them to mix uniformly with the active cannabinoid media before cooling and crystallizing in the final product
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
The method effectively minimizes the formation of oxidized byproducts and maintains the visual quality and safety of cannabis products by using endogenous cannabinoic acids, ensuring stability even when exposed to air and high temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
high purity non-acidic or active cannabinoids are prone to oxidation in air, especially at temperatures necessary to formulate them into a final product
Implementation Method 2
heating the mixture to provide the cannabinoid composition
Data Source
AI summary
A method for making a stabilized cannabinoid composition includes combining an active cannabinoid, a cannabinoic acid and optionally a carrier to provide a product, wherein the acid is present in an amount effective to improve the stability of the composition.