What is the standard time for running a short path? Also what do you mean when you say losing CBD to isomers? We recently just ran the short path again so this crude has been ran twice. We are using hose clamps to get a better vacuum. Maybe we should take those off?
ahh when you did so it rang the websites alarm bells because the ip was the same.
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Your losing cbd to an isomerization reaction occurring during distillation.
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Can you explain what that means? I looked it up, but I’m having a hard time understanding
In the presence of heat and an acidic catalyst, cannabinoids are prone to undergo a chemical reaction called isomerization, wherein the product of that reaction is an isomer of the starting compound. An isomer is defined as two or more compounds with the same chemical formula but different molecular structures as well as different properties. Thc and cbd are isomers.
@Sean99
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Hey @ScoobyDoobie thank you for the quick and detailed response. I found other threads saying that you can convert CBD to delta 8’s and delta 9’s. I have not found a way to convert it back. Is this possible? Also does the PH level of the crude play a role in the problem with isomerization in our distillate? Should we decarb the crude in the beginning? Can we do this after we distilled already? Here is a link that I found helpful in explaining how to separate through liquid to liquid extraction, its a little bit over my head.
Ph of your distillate has everything to do with isomerization reactions occurring. You want your crude to be neutral PH before you put it into your boiling flask. Do you use any adsorbents in your crude production?
I dont personally know much about the THC to CBD reaction, I’ve just heard that it can be done. And that you would be a rich man if you’re able to figure it out.
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You will want to make sure your PH is neutral before you decarb because acid + heat = isomerization. Are you using a wiped film or an SPD? If your using an spd you will want to decarb before you distill. But if you already distilled once then that would have been enough heat to decarb your extract.
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How to we test our crude to have a neutral ph? Also we have already ran several batches of crude, with our SPD. It seems as though we have decarbed the crude on accident by running it in the short path without testing the PH level. We have ran the crude initially and then re-distilled that batch again, and the cbd content went down even further. Is there anyway to reverse what we have done?
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There are ways to remediate thc from a solution but I dont personally know how and dont know of anyone kind enough to share that information with me free of charge. To test your crude just use regular litmus paper.
I think for next time just try to mitigate isomerization by neutralizing any acid present in your crude. That’s what it sounds like is happening.
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Shoot okay, do you think I should try to run the distillate again? or is there a way to reduce the thc so I can actually use the distillate so I have under .3% thc in my end-use products? It’s really weird because I have really good color distillate, but it just wont crystallize because of the low cbd content.
You can pay someone for remediation, I think the average rate is a little north of 2000 per kilo distillate remediated. Distillation is not a viable route to remove thc from cbd because the boiling points are so similar. It does look very good tho.
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How would they remediate the product? and $2000 a kilo is ridiculous, I can’t pay that. I might call up the guy I bought the crude from and ask him if he could remediate or at least reimburse some of the crude. I paid for him to consult me through the process and he should have known to tell me to test the ph levels. Is isomerization common? Sorry for all of the questions trying to learn as much as possible.
it is common with all cannabinoids. Usually thc turns to d8 or d10, cbd can turn to thc. lots of chemistry happens in that boiling flask if the conditions are correct.
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Any person getting paid for consultation and not giving instructions and consequences of ph fluctuations in distillation sop s
Should be called out
It s a sign of improper behavior or lack of knowledge
Pffff this trade is not difficult but shame on those. Charging money and teaching it wrong
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With which method is your crude extracted ?
So which solvent is used
Since your sop is so basic (which is fine )
I suspect the culprit in the method of extraction either co2 or direct dry ice in ethanol
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I agree, the guy you hired should have already informed you of pretty much everything I’ve explained in this thread.
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It is extracted by ethanol. and what could the extraction facility done wrong? I talked with the owner of the ethanol extraction lab and he says that he only uses 200 proof ethanol to clean his equipment. What could cause a change in the ph?
I spoke with the consultant and he is trying to make it right. Can anyone recommend a better consultant to further help me figure out how to increase the cbd? I was thinking maybe adding some isolate in with the shortpath to increase the cbd levels? or should I not run the distillate again in the short path because it will further isomerize.
Also is there anyway I can reduce the THC in the distillate, to make end-use products compliant with staying under .3 % THC?