Methods for isolation and purification of cannabidiol (CBD) and terpenes from hemp
AssigneeRj Lee Group, Inc.
InventorsAlan M. Levine, Steven J. Monaco, Richard J. Lee, Duane M. Erickson
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Abstract
The invention provides a plurality of methods which may be employed as a single method or a plurality of sequential method steps in the isolation and purification of Cannabidiol from Hemp plants. It also provides methods for having a terpene-rich fraction as a byproduct of the method. Depending upon the ultimate objective, the individual method components may be used separately or combined with one or more method steps to accomplish the objectives.
Claims21
A method of processing hemp and increasing the yield of CBD, the method comprising the steps of:
- heating the hemp to a temperature from about 90° C. to about 160° C. until it is dried to decarboxylate acid species comprising CBD-A and/or THC-A within the hemp to increase the yield of CBD,
- drying and fragmenting said hemp;
- subjecting said dried and fragmented hemp to water washing to remove materials that interfere with distillation and purification;
- and
- extracting CBD by placing said hemp in contact with DMSO;
- wherein the method is performed without ignition of the hemp.
A method for processing hemp to improve extraction efficiency, the method comprising the steps, performed in the following sequence, of:
- (a) rinsing the hemp with water;
- (b) rinsing the rinsed hemp with alkali, wherein the alkali is an aqueous base chosen from LiOH, NaOH, and KOH;
- (c) optionally, repeating the sequence of steps (a) and (b) one or more times;
- (d) optionally, rinsing the hemp with water;
- and
- (e) optionally, drying the hemp at elevated temperature.
A method for extracting a cannabinoid-containing material from hemp for improved yield and purity, the method comprising the steps, performed in the following sequence, of:
- (a) rinsing the hemp with a solvent composition comprising a first solvent chosen from DMF, DMA, sulfolane, nitromethane, acetonitrile, and DMSO, and, optionally, a first hydrocarbon;
- (b) separating the resulting solvent composition rinse from the hemp;
- (c) optionally, repeating the sequence of steps (a) and (b) one or more times;
- (d) combining the solvent composition rinses;
- (e) diluting the combined solvent composition rinses with water;
- (f) extracting the combined solvent composition rinses with a second hydrocarbon;
- (g) optionally, repeating step (e) one or more times;
- and
- (h) concentrating the combined second hydrocarbon extracts via evaporation, thereby obtaining the cannabinoid-containing material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.