Botanical Applications

Explore the cutting-edge developments in the Natural Extracts sector! Medicinal plants and botanical resources have historically held significance for their health-enhancing properties, but now, industries are delving deeper into extracting specific phytochemicals for both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Engage with us as we delve into the realm of purification techniques, particularly chromatography, which is transforming extraction methodologies, yielding pure compounds of immense value. Gain insights into the merits of centrifugal partition chromatography, renowned for its precision in segregating target compounds, and offering versatility in solvent selection. Additionally, uncover its scalability for mass production requirements. Embrace this captivating journey into the future landscape of herbal medicine and natural products!

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THC removal from CBD distillate

Starting material: CBD distillate

Goal: THC removal

Device: rCPC

Runtime: 29 minutes

Injections per run: 98.5 g

This study conducted on the purification process, utilizing an rCPC device, yielded promising results, particularly in THC removal from the CBD fraction. Notably, the purified CBD fraction extracted from distillate that contained 73% CBD content and 9% THC content exhibited an impressive purity level of 97%, with THC content undetectable, ensuring adherence to stringent regulatory standards. This high-purity CBD, devoid of THC, holds immense potential for diverse industries such as natural extracts, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics, where purity is paramount.

Furthermore, the study demonstrated an efficient recovery rate, with approximately 95% of CBD successfully retrieved throughout the purification process. This indicates minimal loss of valuable compounds, optimizing resource utilization and cost-effectiveness for manufacturers operating in these industries.

Regarding scalability, the technique showcased significant potential, particularly in continuous batch mode operations. The rCPC device efficiently purified a substantial quantity of CBD distillate, totaling 1.858 kg, within an 8-hour shift. This efficiency underscores the feasibility of integrating the purification technique into large-scale production processes, ensuring consistent output and meeting market demands effectively.

Overall, this study positions the CPC purification technique as a promising solution for industrial CBD production and underscores its viability and efficacy in delivering high-purity CBD fractions, free from THC, with impressive recovery rates and scalability, and catering to the stringent requirements.

THC removal from CBD crude

Starting Material: CBD Crude Extract

Goal: THC Removal

Device: pCPC

Runtime: 31 minutes

Injections per run: 700g

This feasibility study, conducted utilizing an industrial-scale pCPC device, aimed to investigate THC removal from CBD extracts, with a focus on meeting the stringent requirements of industries such as natural extracts, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. The study yielded exceptionally promising results, with the CBD fraction purified from crude material exhibiting no detectable THC content, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enhancing its suitability for various applications within these industries.

The high purity of CBD, reaching 99%, underscores its potential as a premium ingredient in natural extracts, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics, where purity is of utmost importance. Moreover, despite the purification process, the total recovery of CBD remained at a commendable 88%, indicating minimal loss of valuable compounds during the THC removal process.

In terms of scalability, the study demonstrated the efficiency of the pCPC device in handling larger quantities, with the technique capable of purifying 8.2 kg of CBD crude extract within an 8-hour shift in continuous batch mode. This scalability ensures the feasibility of integrating the purification technique into industrial-scale production processes, meeting market demands effectively while maintaining the high purity of CBD without detectable THC content.

Overall, the feasibility study highlights the efficacy of the pCPC device in THC removal from CBD extracts, paving the way for the widespread usage of CBD without THC in industries such as natural extracts, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics, where purity and regulatory compliance are paramount concerns.

THC removal from CBD mother liquor

Starting material: CBD Mother Liquor after Crystallization

Goal: THC removal

Device: rCPC

Runtime: 35 minutes

Injections per run: 95 g

This study aimed at THC removal from CBD Mother Liquor post-crystallization, utilizing an rCPC device, yielded significant results. With a runtime of 35 minutes and 95 g injections per run, the study successfully achieved complete THC removal by the end of the experiment. This outcome underscores the effectiveness of the rCPC device in eliminating THC from the CBD Mother Liquor, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enhancing the suitability of the CBD extract for various industries.

Moreover, the study provided elution profiles of minor cannabinoids (CBG and CBN) enriched in the mother liquor, offering valuable insights into the composition of the remaining compounds. This information can be utilized for further research and development, potentially unlocking new applications and formulations in the natural extract, nutraceutical, and cosmetics industries.

While research on CBN and CBG is still in its early stages, their potential therapeutic properties make them intriguing compounds for various industries seeking to develop products aimed at promoting health, wellness, and skincare. Both CBN and CBG are being studied for their potential medicinal properties. CBN may have sedative effects and could be used in pharmaceuticals for sleep disorders or as a muscle relaxant. CBG is being researched for its potential anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and neuroprotective properties, which could have applications in treating conditions such as inflammation, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Furthermore, some skincare companies in the cosmetics industry are exploring the incorporation of cannabinoids like CBN and CBG into their products due to their potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-soothing properties. These cannabinoids may be included in topical creams, serums, or lotions designed to promote skin health and alleviate skin conditions such as acne, eczema, or psoriasis.

CBD isolation from a distillate

Starting Material: CBD Distillate

Goal: CBD Isolation

Device: rCPC

Runtime: 26 minutes

Injectons per run: 32 g (lower injection masses to reach the highest purity)

This study aimed to isolate CBD from CBD distillate using an rCPC device, with a focus on achieving clinical-grade purity and THC removal. The study yielded exceptionally promising results, with CBD being completely isolated from THC and other cannabinoids. The isolated CBD exhibited a purity exceeding 99.5%, indicating that the rCPC device can achieve clinical purity standards.

This highly pure CBD extract, free from detectable THC content, holds immense potential for clinical developments. Its purity and absence of psychoactive compounds make it ideal for various therapeutic applications, ranging from pain management to neurological disorders. The clinical-grade purity achieved through the rCPC device underscores its efficacy in producing pharmaceutical-quality CBD extracts.

Moreover, high purity CBD is widely utilized across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics, due to its potential therapeutic properties and minimal side effects. In pharmaceuticals, it’s used to develop medications for epilepsy, anxiety disorders, and pain management, among other conditions. In nutraceuticals and cosmetics, high purity CBD is incorporated into products targeting skin health, relaxation, and overall wellness, owing to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and calming effects.

THC isolation from a distillate

Starting Material: Distillate

Goal: THC Isolation

Device: rCPC

Runtime: 22 minutes

This study aimed to isolate THC from CBD distillate utilizing an rCPC device, with a focus on achieving high purity and THC recovery rates conducive to clinical-grade applications. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is clinically used primarily for its analgesic properties, particularly in managing chronic pain conditions such as neuropathic pain or cancer-related pain. Additionally, THC-based medications have been prescribed to alleviate symptoms associated with certain medical conditions like multiple sclerosis and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

The study yielded promising results, with THC successfully isolated from CBD and other cannabinoids, except for CBC, which overlapped with THC. The isolated THC exhibited a purity exceeding 99%, meeting the stringent purity requirements for clinical-grade applications. With a THC recovery rate of 85%, the study demonstrates the efficacy of the rCPC device in isolating THC while minimizing loss of valuable compounds. This high purity and efficient recovery rate make the isolated THC extract suitable for various clinical developments and pharmaceutical applications.

The availability of highly pure THC extract is crucial for advancing clinical research and therapeutic interventions. THC, known for its therapeutic properties, holds potential in treating a wide range of medical conditions, including pain management, nausea relief, and appetite stimulation. The clinical-grade purity achieved through the rCPC device ensures the safety and efficacy of the isolated THC extract for clinical use.

Overall, the feasibility study underscores the capability of the rCPC device in isolating highly pure THC from CBD distillate, highlighting the importance of purification techniques in producing pharmaceutical-quality THC extracts for clinical developments. The availability of highly pure THC extract opens up new possibilities for therapeutic interventions and underscores the potential of THC in addressing various medical conditions.

CBN isolation from a distillate

Starting Material: Distillate

Goal: CBN Isolation

Device: rCPC

Runtime: 34 minutes

The feasibility study aimed to isolate CBN from distillate utilizing an rCPC (centrifugal partition chromatography) device, with the objective of achieving high purity and yield suitable. Cannabinol (CBN) is a cannabinoid found in cannabis, though it’s typically found in higher concentrations in aged cannabis. It is used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals (it promotes sleep or alleviate insomnia), nutraceuticals (with its potential calming or sleep-inducing properties), cosmetics (its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties), and wellness.

The study yielded promising results, with the achieved purity exceeding 99.5%, while maintaining a yield of 95%. Despite slight overlap with CBD, the presence of CBN did not adversely affect the product as the CBD content was minimal. This high purity CBN extract, devoid of detectable THC content, holds significant potential for applications in natural extracts, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics industries. CBN, known for its therapeutic properties such as promoting relaxation and aiding sleep, can be incorporated into various products catering to consumer wellness needs.

The availability of highly pure CBN extract underscores the importance of purification techniques in producing pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids for industrial applications. The clinical-grade purity achieved through the rCPC device ensures the safety and efficacy of the isolated CBN extract for use in a wide range of products.

Overall, the feasibility study highlights the capability of the rCPC device in isolating highly pure CBN from distillate, emphasizing the potential of CBN without detectable THC content in various industries. The availability of highly pure CBN extract opens up new possibilities for product formulations and therapeutic interventions.

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Remediation from Red Clover 

Starting Material: Red Clover extract

Goal: Remediation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, preserving isoflavone concentration consistent

Device: rCPC

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is widely recognized in traditional medicine for treating osteoporosis, heart disease, arthritis, eczema, asthma, and more. However, pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in Red Clover pose significant health risks due to their hepatotoxic and carcinogenic properties. Efficient alkaloid remediation from Red Clover extracts is crucial to ensure safety and therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, Red Clover contains valuable isoflavones, known for their estrogenic and antioxidant properties.

How do you purify alkaloid extract? This feasibility study evaluated the effectiveness of centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) in continuous manufacturing mode for alkaloid remediation from Red Clover extracts while preserving isoflavones. Crude Red Clover extract was used as the starting material. The RotaChrom Continuous CPC system operates in multiple dual-mode (MDM), alternating between ascending and descending operations to enhance separation efficiency. Solvents were chosen to exploit polarity differences between isoflavones and alkaloids.

Results showed that alkaloid content was reduced to below 400 ppb. Isoflavone concentration remains consistent, preserving Red Clover’s therapeutic properties. Continuous mode injection resulted in more than a threefold increase in productivity of alkaloid remediation compared to batch processing, without significantly increasing solvent consumption, highlighting the efficiency of the Continuous CPC method. With a similar input material, RotaChrom’s largest instrument (pCPC) is able to purify 6.4 kg/day (8 hours) of PAs.

Comparison in the total solvent consumption and the productivity between batch and continuous chromatography modes during alkaloid purification

Purification of Capsaicin

Starting Material: Crude capsicum extract

Goal: Capsaicinoid isolation

Device: rCPC

Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, key bioactive components of capsicum natural extracts, are widely used as food additives and drugs. To comply with the United States Pharmacopoeia standards (>55% capsaicin, >75% combined capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, and >95% total capsaicinoids) with 80% recovery, efficient purification is essential. This feasibility study evaluated centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) for this purpose.

Starting with a crude capsicum extract (27% total capsaicinoids), the RotaChrom rCPC system was used in continuous mode with optimized, recyclable alkane/acetone/water solvent system to separate capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin from impurities.

Results showed the total capsaicinoid content exceeded 95%, meeting pharmacopoeia standards, with an 80% recovery rate and effective impurity elimination. CPC’s scalability, solvent efficiency, and high purity make it ideal for industrial-scale production and pharmaceutical applications, offering a robust solution for purifying bioactive compounds in compliance with regulatory standards.

Capsaicin isolation by centrifugal partition chromatography

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