Phytocannabinoid Enrichment Through Solvent Extraction and Chromatography
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no large-scale, commercially feasible method for the preparation of enriched fractions of Δ9-THC and CBD from common cannabis plants to support botanical and phytopharmaceutical drug development.
Innovation Solution
A process involving repetitive extraction with polar solvents, adsorption with silica, and column chromatography using varying mesh sizes and solvent mixtures to enrich Δ9-THC and CBD, followed by combi-flash chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC to achieve high purity fractions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If repetitive extraction with ethanol followed by partition with hexane:water system and molecular distillation or chromatography is used, then pure cannabinoids are obtained, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses selective extraction with hexane to isolate cannabinoids from the aqueous phase, separating the desired compounds from complex plant matrices and other constituents. This targeted extraction simplifies the overall process by removing unnecessary components early in the workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs molecular distillation to separate cannabinoids based on differences in vapor pressure and boiling points. By controlling temperature and pressure parameters, the process achieves high purity separation without requiring complex chromatographic systems, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If genetically stable cannabis lines are used to produce particular phytocannabinoids, then enriched fractions are obtained, but the process requires controlled environment and soil parameters making it cumbersome and costlier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hexane as an intermediary solvent to extract cannabinoids from common cannabis plants. This chemical mediator allows selective isolation of phytocannabinoids without requiring genetically modified plants or controlled environment agriculture, thereby simplifying the cultivation process while maintaining enrichment quality.
Solution Approach 2:
By extracting cannabinoids directly from common cannabis plants using hexane partitioning, the patent bypasses the need for genetically stable lines and controlled cultivation conditions. This extraction approach obtains enriched fractions from ordinary plant material, significantly improving ease of manufacture.
3Manufacturing precision
If column chromatography is used to separate cannabinoids, then pure fractions are obtained, but the process requires specialized apparatus and expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex chromatographic mechanical systems with a simpler liquid-liquid partitioning system using hexane and water. This substitution achieves comparable separation and purification of cannabinoids without requiring specialized chromatography apparatus or expert operation, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase separation between hexane (organic phase) and water (aqueous phase) to isolate cannabinoids. By exploiting the immiscibility of these solvents and the preferential solubility of cannabinoids in hexane, the process achieves pure fraction separation through simple decantation or filtration, eliminating the need for complex chromatographic apparatus.
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 process achieves purity levels of 99.0% for CBD and 98.2% for Δ9-THC, enabling the formulation of a blend with 5% to 49.5% CBD and THC for effective pain management.
Implementation Method 1
repetitive extraction of dried aerial parts of Cannabis sativa by using polar solvent
Implementation Method 2
treating or adsorbing the obtained extract from step-a with solid support (silica)
Implementation Method 3
column chromatography using solid support (silica having different mesh sizes) and eluting the system comprising of mixture of polar & and non-polar solvents
Implementation Method 4
extracting the compound(s) adsorbed on silica in step-b with a mixture of polar or/and non-polar solvents
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the process of enrichment of Phytocannabinoids namely CBD and Δ9-THC from the dried aerial part (leaves and inflorescence) of Cannabis sativa. The present invention also relates to the preparation of formulation having enriched CBD and THC by combining with appropriate acceptable excipients such as nutriose, dextrin and maltodextrin. The present invention also discloses the use of the phytocannabanoids enriched blend for the management of pain including cancer pain & general pain.