- Cannabis
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by Chris Black
Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of the many cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plant. CBG has been gaining quite a bit of attention lately due to its potential therapeutic benefits. CBG isolate is a highly purified form of CBG that can be used in various medical and recreational applications.
What is Cannabigerol (CBG)?
Before learning about the extraction process, it’s important to have a basic understanding of CBG and its significance. CBG is often referred to as the “mother cannabinoid” because it is the precursor to other cannabinoids like CBD and THC. It is non-psychoactive and offers potential therapeutic properties. Some of these therapeutic effects include anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, and anti-cancer. To really harness these benefits, CBG must be isolated and then purified from the cannabis plant.
The Extraction and Production Process of CBG Isolate
To isolate the CBG, you have to select the correct cannabis strain that is very rich in CBG, although it is usually present in much lower quantities than other cannabinoids, such as THC or CBD. This makes the strain selection very important to have a successful extraction.
Next, you have to harvest the plants during the right stage of their growth. This is because the CBG content is highest during the early flowering stage which is why the timing is so important.
You must then dry and cure the plants to remove any excess moisture. Proper drying and curing help preserve the cannabinoid profile and prevent mold and mildew growth.
Now you can finally complete the initial extraction of cannabinoids from the plants. This can be done using a variety of solvents, such as ethanol, butane, or even CO2. These solvents will dissolve the cannabinoids and separate them from the plant.
Winterization
The next part of the process is called winterization. This is when the crude extract is mixed with ethanol and then frozen, hence the name winterization. This step is needed to remove impurities, such as waxes and lipids, so you are left with a purer type of cannabinoid extract.
The cannabinoid extract that you end up with from winterization is often in its acidic form, such as CBGA. To convert it into CBG, the extract is put through decarboxylation, which involves heating it to remove the carboxyl group and activating the CBG.
Chromatography
The decarboxylated extract is then subjected to chromatography, which is a process that separates different cannabinoids based on their different chemical properties. This step is imperative to isolate the CBG from other cannabinoids and impurities.
The purified CBG extract is then dissolved in a solvent and allowed to crystallize. This process, referred to as crystallization, produces the CBG isolate in its purest form, with very few impurities. The final CBG crystals that you are left with at this point are then dried to remove any remaining solvent and moisture. Now, the CBG isolate is ready for packaging and distribution.
And there you have it, the entire extraction process of CBG isolate. The extraction and production of CBG isolate is a very complex and meticulous process that requires expert skills and precision. From selecting the right cannabis strain to the final crystallization step, each stage plays a very important role in obtaining a highly pure and potent CBG isolate.
Get Your Pure CBG Isolate Today
The research into the potential benefits of CBG continues so the demand for high-quality CBG isolate is likely to continue to increase. At our CBG shop, we offer 99.4% pure CBG isolate! Get yours today!