Olive Pomace Co-Extraction of Cannabis Bioactives

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for extracting cannabinoids like THC and CBD from hemp plants largely ignore the bioactive potential of the aqueous fraction, particularly polyphenols, which are lost during extraction, and are inefficient in separating liposoluble and hydrophilic compounds without using organic solvents.

Innovation Solution

The process utilizes olive oil pomace as a matrix to co-extract and enrich both an olive oil fraction with liposoluble compounds like THC and CBD, and an aqueous fraction rich in antioxidants, using a combination of grinding, mixing with olive pomace, and centrifugation to separate these compounds without the need for organic solvents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional extractive methods are used to isolate cannabinoids (THC and CBD), then the extraction of liposoluble compounds is effective, but the aqueous fraction containing polyphenols and other bioactives is lost and not valorized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannabinoid extraction efficiencyVSAvoidloss of polyphenols and aqueous bioactives

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the extraction process into two parallel pathways: one for liposoluble cannabinoids using organic solvents, and another for hydrophilic polyphenols using aqueous extraction. This allows both fractions to be extracted separately and valorized without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between efficient cannabinoid extraction and prevention of polyphenol loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding the aqueous fraction as waste during traditional cannabinoid extraction, the invention recovers and valorizes it by extracting polyphenols and other hydrophilic bioactives. This transforms the lost substance into a valuable product, simultaneously achieving cannabinoid extraction and polyphenol recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Productivity

If organic solvents are used for cannabinoid extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but environmental impact and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental impact and costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses an intermediary aqueous extraction system that can selectively recover polyphenols and hydrophilic compounds without requiring organic solvents. This intermediary approach allows efficient extraction of aqueous bioactives while avoiding the environmental harm and costs associated with organic solvent disposal and recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive and environmentally problematic organic solvents with a cheaper, environmentally benign aqueous extraction system. The water-based system eliminates the need for costly solvent recovery operations and reduces environmental compliance costs, while maintaining extraction efficiency for hydrophilic compounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If only cannabinoid extraction is performed, then the bioactive profile is partially captured, but the full potential of hemp including polyphenols and other bioactives is not utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannabinoid contentVSAvoidutilization of full bioactive profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a universal extraction platform that can handle multiple types of bioactives through a single integrated process. The system simultaneously extracts liposoluble cannabinoids, hydrophilic polyphenols, and other bioactives from different hemp fractions (leaves, stems, flowers), making the process adaptable to various hemp parts and bioactive classes without requiring separate extraction methods for each

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 stabilizes and separates valuable compounds from cannabis, including cannabinoids and polyphenols, providing a more comprehensive extraction of hemp's bioactive profile, reducing environmental impact and costs associated with solvent use.

Implementation Method 1

The olive matrix is an ideal medium where lipophylic compounds migrate into the oily fraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLipophilic migration: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

hydrophilic compounds end into a stable aqueous fraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophilic dissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

Separation of the light fraction (enriched oil) from the heavy fraction (enriched aqueous fraction) can be obtained by commercial centrifuge (decanters)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentUS11951143B2Olive oil use

Publication Date: 2024.04.09 HIDROX LLC

AI summary

Use of an olive oil milling by-product (Alperujo or Olive Pomace) for the co-processing and co-extraction of natural compounds from medicinal and aromatic plants including cannabis, fruits and agricultural waste, algae and other microorganisms. Separation and stabilization of fractions containing either hydrophilic or liposoluble compounds.