Editor's Note
In this work, extracts containing up to 449 mg/g CBD were obtained from New Zealand industrial hemp varieties by extraction of flower buds with supercritical CO2. The apparent solubility of the extract in CO2 at different pressures was measured. Extractions using near-critical propane and dimethyl-ether were also performed. Total extraction yields reached 12.0 wt% with CO2 and 8.2 wt% with propane, whereas total cannabinoid yield ranged from 51 to 100% with CO2 and from 74 to 99 wt% with propane. Addition of 5% ethanol co-solvent enhances the extraction of cannabinoid acid forms, as does an increase in extraction pressure.
Summary

Hemp varieties of Cannabis Sativa L. contain low levels of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and can be used to produce therapeutic extracts rich in cannabidiol (CBD). In this work, extracts containing up to 449 mg/g CBD were obtained from New Zealand industrial hemp varieties by extraction of flower buds with supercritical CO2. The composition of the extracts and the influence of different processing parameters (extraction pressure up to 1300 bar, use of ethanol co-solvent, decarboxylation of feed) were determined. The apparent solubility of the extract in CO2 at different pressures was measured. Extractions using near-critical propane and dimethyl-ether were also performed. Total extraction yields reached 12.0 wt% with CO2 and 8.2 wt% with propane, whereas total cannabinoid yield ranged from 51 to 100 % with CO2 and from 74 to 99 wt% with propane. Addition of 5 % ethanol co-solvent enhances the extraction of cannabinoid acid forms, as does an increase in extraction pressure.
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