Cyclodextrin Aqueous Cannabinoid Extraction for Acid Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cannabinoid extraction methods from Cannabis sativa L. face challenges such as instability of acid forms, poor solubility in water, and low bioavailability, leading to ineffective and unpleasant oral administration forms.

Innovation Solution

An extraction method using an aqueous solution with at least 40% water and cyclodextrins to form host-guest inclusion complexes with cannabinoids, enhancing solubility and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional extraction methods (oily or alcoholic) are used, then cannabinoids can be extracted from Cannabis sativa L., but the acid forms are unstable and require refrigeration, and oral administration is unpleasant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of acid formsVSAvoidoral administration acceptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Cyclodextrins are used as intermediary molecules that form inclusion complexes with cannabinoids. The cyclodextrin cavity encapsulates the hydrophobic cannabinoid molecules, creating a stable aqueous complex that prevents degradation of acid forms while enabling pleasant oral administration without oil or alcohol carriers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical environment from traditional oily or alcoholic solvents to an aqueous solution containing cyclodextrins. This parameter change in the extraction medium enables stable solubilization of cannabinoids through host-guest complexation, eliminating the need for refrigeration and improving oral acceptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If water is used as extraction solvent, then oral administration becomes pleasant, but cannabinoids have poor solubility in water

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoral administration acceptabilityVSAvoidsolubility of cannabinoids
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Cyclodextrins act as mediators between the hydrophobic cannabinoids and hydrophilic water. The cyclodextrin molecules have hydrophobic cavities that accommodate cannabinoid molecules while their exterior surfaces are hydrophilic, enabling the formation of stable aqueous solutions with enhanced cannabinoid solubility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite extraction system combining water with cyclodextrin molecules. This composite aqueous medium possesses both the hydrophilic properties of water for pleasant oral administration and the hydrophobic binding capacity of cyclodextrins for effective cannabinoid solubilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If extraction efficiency is improved, then more cannabinoids are obtained, but extraction time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidextraction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes extraction parameters by using cyclodextrin-concentration gradients and controlled temperature conditions. These parameter changes accelerate the host-guest complexation kinetics, enabling rapid extraction of cannabinoids with high efficiency within reduced timeframes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The extraction process employs periodic mixing or agitation cycles that enhance mass transfer between the plant matrix and aqueous cyclodextrin solution. This periodic action maintains concentration gradients that drive continuous cannabinoid extraction without requiring prolonged extraction times

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 achieves efficient and rapid extraction of cannabinoids, particularly acid forms, with improved stability and solubility, facilitating effective and pleasant administration.

Implementation Method 1

an extraction step, during which a plant substrate is caused to come into contact with an aqueous liquid... so that at least one cannabinoid is extracted from the plant substrate and carried to the aqueous liquid... The aqueous liquid comprises at least one complexing component, which comprises (in particular, is) at least one cyclodextrin (CD)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHost-guest inclusion complex formation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3894036B1Extraction method
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 NATURALIA INGREDIENTS

AI summary

Extraction method comprising an extraction step, during which a plant substrate is caused to come into contact with an aqueous liquid so that cannabinoids are extracted from the plant substrate and carried to the aqueous liquid; the aqueous liquid comprises at least 40% by weight, relative to the total weight of the aqueous liquid, of water and a complexing component; the complexing component is at least one cyclodextrin; the composition obtained is surprisingly stable and the cannabinoids extracted, in particular the acid cannabinoids, which are normally unstable, can be conserved for long periods of time.