I got a company I could order it from, as usually that’s the issue with controlled substances. I have bought container loads of sodium cyanide before so I know how to source. Give me a lead and I would send you and others samples to test.
I’ve sent out enzymes for testing this method but have not had any feedback yet.
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DM me and I can get you some PL enzyme to run a method test.
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DMed you. We would be interested in trying this out and providing some data. We have an in-house HPLC to work with. Always looking for process improvements…
Did aything come of this?
I gave out samples but no one ever hit me back with data…
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I wish I had access to testing, I’ve got material to use for a test but not any money to have any sample tested.
Interesting extraction method. If possible, what would this extract be called?
I heard of a few big boys recently switching to EAE.
I can see a strong future for this method, as it’s much safer and cheaper than traditional solvent extraction. Moreover, for large scale, you don’t need to keep a swimming pool filled with solvent.This brings delight to every fire-marshall and insurance adjuster.
I played with the carbon chemistry degumming enzymes back in 2018, but had very mixed results. It’s probably operator error(my own fault), but I did not see any meaningful gains or quality improvement. It was easier to just go through magic dirt.
Recently, I was interested in revisiting the whole enzymatic digestion concept. Enzymes can be used as scalpels or hammers. The degumming enzymes I tried seem to focus on phospholipid groups. Carbon Chemistry said it works on most lipids, but I didn’t see much effect on the triglycerides. Also- perhaps it was my SOP, but filtering was a total nightmare. I am interested in experimenting using staged enzymatic digestion of targeted compounds and groups.
Has anyone kept up with enzymatic extraction? Any particular enzymes or product recommendations?
I’m interested in free exchange of information, however am more than happy to pay for the 
if someone already did the work. Also interested in collaborative R&D for serious researchers.
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My recollection there is a specific patent on the process.
I was sort of left with the idea, that if you don’t know how to water process to begin with the enzyme prestep is not going to help that much.
Do some studies with fresh bud. Dump them in pH 12 NaOH and stir…do a time course. You may be surprised at the rate of extraction of cannabinoic acids. People who have been in the water game for a number of years…know very will that you can end up with a very nice solution of cannabinoates in water. What do you do with 1000 gallons of cannabinoate in lye. when you solve that problem…go back and think…can I beat the NaOH time course by using enzymatic processing? ??? ??
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I’m sure there are dozens of patents that may arise, but I have no issue licensing a patent or working around if the holder is difficult. Alkaline extractions are well known. I know of some producers who make good product irrespective of input material. Needless to say, it goes the route for distillation. Do you know of specific enzymes that can break down triglycerides?
Your point about cost and effectiveness is more than valid. The math doesn’t favor EAE for crude oil production. What about post? Targeting specific groups in rosin?
I don’t really see the use either when it comes to extraction. Now enzymes designed for foolproof conversion, and adapted as reusable catalysts, that would something very worthwhile!
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Agreed.
We are after essentially extra-cellular compounds. Anything that will help you open a trichome is gonna open all sorts of other doors you’d be better off leaving closed (one of the issues with lye-ing to your weed as well).
Taking out your major contaminant enzymatically isn’t a horrible idea, but if you can solve it non-enzymatically you’re probably in better shape.
Turning CBG into “whatever” is definitely more of a “we need an enzyme for that to be effective” kind of trick.
@Lincoln20XX lignase!
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Every single solvent I’ve ever put time into has picked up the cannabinoids with very little convincing. Usually about as fast as you can get the solvent on and off, if you’re doing it at least half not-wrong.
So the enzyme for extraction thing sure seems like a cool party trick, but I doubt it could ever be as fast and operationally efficient as “rip it out then filter filter filter filter.”
Either figure out how to get only the very specific thing you actually want, or pick up an acceptable and easily mitigatable quantity of other shite and clean it up downstream.
Or extract in a screw press and hate your life. Whatever floats your boat I guess.
Whenever I get my hands on a Raman I might need to track down some of that lignase stuff - mushrooms to the rescue yet again!
Based on what we’ve seen in our trials, I wouldn’t be in the slightest bit surprised if it also managed to do a number on the cannabinoids.
I’m 100% in for that foolproof enzyme catalyst tho. Not that it’s ever likely to filter down to the likes of me if it’s ever invented.
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I completely agree with your insight. Solvent extraction is superior to novelty extraction methods when talking upstream. My starting point is relatively high-quality product, and I would like to use enzymes to target long-chain fatty acids. I know all about winterization, membranes, etc. They are all very valid methods… however if you take some winterized oil and throw it in some ACN, you’ll quickly realize 50% of the fats are still in solution. Even multiple winterizations won’t remove everything.
@Lincoln20XX I used a screw press about 8 years ago… learned that lesson the hard way. Enzymes filtration makes me hate my life as well. It seems like you have a bit of experience with enzymes. I have access to raman(along with a lot more) and would be happy collaborate.
I know that at least one outfit is used enzymes to convert CBG-A to CBC-A, with good efficiency, but bad profitability. They have a patented process and I can put you in touch if interested.
To be clear, I’ve got functionally zero experience with enzymes in any useful context related to what we’re discussing. Just enough knowledge to be dangerous to myself and others.
Let’s chat - if you shoot me your email in DM I’ll kick you a message. We are rather busy and tend to keep what we’re doing very close to our chest these days, but I am always happy to have scientific/technical discussions that may lead to some kind of collaboration, shared insight, etc.
Good efficiency but bad profitability sounds like an engineering problem to me.
Though the chemists in the room can probably comment more accurately on the subject than I.
I prefer to not learn about patented processes whenever possible - I’ve been advised that “we independently developed this so therefore it’s obvious to one skilled in the art” can be a pretty good defense if you ever need it.
Not that I have any immediate or planned goals wrt enzymes, and I’m very confident we’re well outside of the existing patent space with what we’re doing, but one never knows where the next fun discovery lies.
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Sounds legit. Finding stuff that’s “non-obvious” to one skilled in the art requires more than one imho.
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We run EAE on botanicals for terpenes, cannabinoids, etc. The process is incredibly efficient, highly scalable, and applicable to many different industries. The final product is top tier across the board. If anyone’s interested we are based in SoCal. DM me.
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How do you get cannabinoids from “botanicals”?
Which enzymes are you using?
Remember those fraudulent people who were claiming “CBD from lichen and citrus” only for it to turn out to be just Olivetol synthesis? I remember dissolving the white powder in ethanol and it turning pitch black from whatever leftover catalyst there was or something. Showed it to a fairly notable edible maker and their own employees were refusing to use their products within the week.
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