What Does Ethanol (C2H5OH) Mean?
Ethanol is a simple alcohol that is commonly used during the cannabis extraction process as a solvent to create concentrated oil. The cannabis oil created by ethanol extraction is used in marijuana edibles, topicals, dabs, and other uses. Ethanol, which is drinking alcohol is naturally produced by the during the fermentation processes of sugars and yeasts.
Ethanol, with the formula C2H5OH is highly efficient, safe, and easy to use for extraction when handled by a knowledgeable extraction artist. It is also a far more favorable solvent for medical marijuana concentrates because unlike butane, ethanol is commonly used as a food additive and preservative as well.
Maximum Yield Explains Ethanol (C2H5OH)
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is frequently used by extraction artists to create high-quality cannabis extracts. It is as a safe as CO2 and as efficient as butane. (Butane and CO2 are the two most common solvents used in the extraction of cannabis oil.) In addition to being safe to use, extraction artists like to use ethanol because it can be reclaimed and reused.
Ethanol is not typically used by novice extraction practitioners because it is considered a polar solvent. A polar solvent mixes well with water and will dissolve water-soluble molecules. Unfortunately, the plant’s chlorophyll will co-exist with the ethanol and not be filtered out of the concentrate.
A cannabis concentrate that contains chlorophyll tastes like a freshly mowed lawn and has a deeply bitter flavor. It will also be dark in color instead of the typical amber shade of pure cannabis concentrates.
An extraction artist that has been extensively trained can optimize the ethanol extraction process to ensure that chlorophyll is filtered out of the oil. When properly used, ethanol creates a pure, high-grade concentrate that can easily be used for medicinal marijuana products.
