Mason Delacroix
Chlorophyll is a pigment found in nearly all photosynthetic organisms, including cyanobacteria, algae, and plants. While it is not harmful, its strong and earthy flavour can negatively impact the taste of the final product. In addition, the presence of chlorophyll can result in an undesirable dark colour in ethanol-based extracts. As such, removing chlorophyll from alcohol tinctures is an important step in creating a desirable product. There are several methods to achieve this, including the use of cold ethanol, activated charcoal, hexane, and centrifugal partition chromatography.
Characteristics and Values Table for Removing Chlorophyll from an Alcohol Tincture
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why Remove Chlorophyll | Chlorophyll creates a dark, undesirable colour and potentially affects the flavour and aroma of the end product |
| Common Methods | Activated charcoal, carbonX, hexane wash, fractional short path distillation, UV light, cold ethanol, Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) |
| Activated Charcoal Pros | Removes chlorophyll and other unwanted pigments without affecting the quality of the extract |
| Activated Charcoal Cons | Removes some active compounds, reduces yield, can contain contaminants such as ash and heavy metals |
| Hexane Wash | Dissolve ethanol extract in distilled water, add lab-grade hexane, collect the hexane layer containing chlorophyll, repeat until chlorophyll is removed |
| CarbonX | Engineered carbon deposited on a porous substrate, reliable performance, doesn't break apart, pre-washed to prevent contamination |
| Cold Ethanol | Reduces the solvent's hydrophilic characteristics, making it easier to avoid pulling chlorophyll |
| Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) | Selective and efficient 45-minute liquid-liquid/countercurrent chlorophyll clean-up method |
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What You'll Learn
Using cold ethanol
To perform a cold ethanol extraction, it is recommended to keep the entire process, including all equipment and ingredients, below freezing throughout the extraction period. The colder the temperature, the better the results. Optimal results are achieved around -50°F. At such low temperatures, the diffusion coefficients of the active compounds in the ethanol decrease, resulting in a lower overall yield of active compounds. Thus, when using cold ethanol, there is a trade-off between minimising chlorophyll extraction and maximising the extraction of desired active compounds.
One way to perform a cold ethanol extraction is through the Quick Wash Ethanol (QWE) method. This involves agitating the plant material in a sealed jar with ethanol (98% concentration is recommended) for a short time, typically between 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. This method minimises the extraction of undesired compounds like chlorophyll and plant waxes while efficiently extracting the desired cannabinoids and terpenes.
Another technique is to soak the plant material in chilled ethanol (around -40°C to -50°C) for a longer period, typically around three minutes. This method is suitable for frozen plant material and helps remove chlorophyll while extracting the desired compounds.
It is important to note that ethanol is highly flammable, so extra care must be taken when working with large amounts of ethanol. Additionally, the use of cold ethanol may not be suitable for all extraction processes, as it can reduce the yield of active compounds. Therefore, the decision to use cold ethanol depends on the desired end product and the specific requirements of the extraction process.
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Employing activated charcoal
However, using activated charcoal can be a double-edged sword. While it is quite effective at pigment removal, it is also very effective at removing active compounds. The large pore diameter distribution and particle friability of activated carbon also result in a much smaller yield. Another problem with activated carbon is its natural origin and the contamination it carries. Activated carbon is typically derived from coconut shells, bitumen, or wood. These products have significant ash content and heavy metals. When the carbon breaks up under use, these metals distribute throughout the oil as very small particles.
To use activated charcoal, pass the extract through it repeatedly, 2 or 3 times. You can also add it directly to the extract, then manually filter through a coarse filter. There are different methods available for activated carbon treatment, including the manual addition of carbon powder or granules and carbon-packed columns. While manual carbon addition is inexpensive and effective, it can be labour-intensive and messy. It also requires special attention to the operator's health and safety.
Activated charcoal is commonly used in the food and beverage industry for adsorption applications. For example, Pall's SUPRAdisc filter modules combine activated carbon into a matrix of cellulosic fibres, improving extract purity and protecting downstream processes.
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Hexane wash
Hexane is an effective substance for removing chlorophyll from an alcohol tincture. Chlorophyll is a critical compound for plants as it allows them to absorb natural light from the sun for energy through photosynthesis. However, chlorophyll is undesirable in certain extraction processes, such as creating tinctures from cannabis plants, as it can lead to an unappealing dark colour in the final product.
To perform a hexane wash, an ethanol extract is first dissolved in distilled water. Lab-grade hexane is then added to the water and the mixture is stirred. The mixture is then poured into a separation funnel, where it separates into two layers. The upper layer is hexane containing the chlorophyll, which will be dark green in colour, and the bottom layer is water. These two layers can be collected separately.
To ensure all traces of chlorophyll are removed, the wash can be repeated until the desired clarity is achieved. The hexane can then be evaporated using various purging techniques. Alternatively, the chlorophyll-containing hexane layer can be re-dissolved in heated hexane and then washed with saltwater. This saltwater wash is performed by mixing table salt with hot water until the salt dissolves, then pouring the saltwater and hexane mixture into a separatory funnel, shaking it, and allowing it to "burp" before separating the layers and removing the bottom layer.
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Centrifugal Partition Chromatography
In the context of chlorophyll removal, CPC can be used to separate chlorophyll from other desired compounds in the tincture. The process typically involves mixing the tincture with a solvent system, often a combination of hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water in specific volume ratios. For example, one procedure suggests using a solvent system of heptane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water in a ratio of 6:1:6:1 (v/v/v/v).
The mixture is then placed into a CPC instrument, which uses centrifugal force to separate the components based on their solubility in the two solvent phases. The CPC instrument can handle relatively large sample amounts and offers a fast flow rate, making it efficient for processing tinctures. The desired compounds can be isolated in the CPC column, while the chlorophyll is removed.
CPC is a versatile technique that can be applied to various plant materials and extracts. It is a selective and efficient method for chlorophyll removal, as demonstrated in a study where CPC was used to "degreen" botanical extracts from Epimedium sagittatum, Senna alexandrina, and Trifolium pratense. The procedure took only 45 minutes and resulted in clean extracts free from chlorophyll.
It is important to note that CPC is just one of several methods available for removing chlorophyll from alcohol tinctures. Other techniques include using activated charcoal, cold ethanol, or hexane washes. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of technique depends on factors such as desired yield, purity, and processing time.
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Avoiding chlorophyll extraction
Chlorophyll is an undesirable compound in ethanol-based extracts, as it contributes to a deep green colour and can negatively impact the flavour and aroma of the end product. One way to avoid chlorophyll extraction is to use alternative solvents such as light hydrocarbons (butane and propane) or supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2). These solvents can produce golden-coloured extracts without the risk of chlorophyll contamination.
Another approach to avoiding chlorophyll extraction is to control the temperature during the extraction process. Working with colder temperatures can reduce chlorophyll extraction, but it also decreases the amount of active compounds extracted. Therefore, it is essential to find a balance between minimizing chlorophyll extraction and maximizing the extraction of desired compounds.
Additionally, the size of the molecules being extracted can be considered to avoid chlorophyll extraction. Chlorophyll has a larger molecular size (C-30) compared to the targeted molecules (C-10 to C-22) in some cases. By focusing on extracting the smaller, targeted molecules, chlorophyll can be left behind.
Furthermore, the use of activated charcoal or carbon is a popular method for removing chlorophyll and other unwanted pigments. However, it can also remove some of the desired compounds and may introduce contaminants. An alternative product called carbonX is engineered by depositing carbon onto a porous substrate, ensuring reliable performance and reducing the risk of contamination.
Finally, some extraction methods aim to minimize the conversion of chlorophyll to chlorophyllide during the extraction process. This conversion can lead to misinterpretation of chlorophyll levels in samples. One method involves briefly boiling the leaves before extraction to suppress the activity of the chlorophyllase enzyme, which catalyzes the formation of chlorophyllide. However, boiling can also destroy some desired pigments, so a balance must be struck.
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Frequently asked questions
CarbonX is an effective solution for removing chlorophyll from extracts. It is engineered by depositing carbon onto a porous substrate, ensuring reliable performance.
The traditional method for removing chlorophyll is fractional short path distillation.
Ethanol is highly flammable and can be difficult to store and use in large amounts. It also has a high tendency to extract chlorophyll and waxes.
Some alternative methods to remove chlorophyll include using activated charcoal, centrifugal partition chromatography, and hexane wash.
