Ethanol forms an integral part of the solvent extraction industry. It’s used in food and essential oil
extraction, but is ethanol extraction the ideal cannabis extraction process? Also known as ethyl
alcohol, ethanol is a volatile, flammable liquid produced by naturally fermenting sugars.
Food-grade ethanol is generally safer and easier, provided the process is properly handled and the
primary extract is subjected to distillation to remove solvent residues. However, ethanol is expensive in
its pure form.
Thus, some manufacturers turn to denatured ethanol as an alternative method of cannabis
extraction. This article details the ethanol extraction process and why it’s an ideal cannabis
extraction process.

How Does Ethanol Extraction Work?

Ethanol extraction involves mixing ethanol with plant material.

In the process, ethanol separates useful cannabis compounds such as cannabinoids and terpenes
from the plant, resulting in a concentrated mixture. In addition, the process is non-specific, meaning
that fats, chlorophyll, and waxes may be extracted.

The primary extract is then distilled to remove solvent residues and winterized to
remove unwanted fats and waxes. Like any other solvent extraction process, ethanol extraction has
its pros and cons;

Pros Of Ethanol Extraction

 It is highly efficient
 FDA regards ethanol extraction as generally safe
 It’s effective in full-spectrum cannabis extraction
 Ethanol is easy to use and store in large-scale cannabis extraction
 Ethanol extraction eliminates the need for winterization If properly done

Cons Of Ethanol Extraction

 Ethanol is a polar solvent. Thus, it may extract unwanted fats and oils in the process
 Solvent removal is expensive and tedious
 It does not create highly pure crystalline cannabis compounds (sauce)
 Ethanol is volatile and highly flammable

Considerations Of Ethanol Extraction

Before embarking on ethanol extraction, it is important to put the following factors into consideration;
Solvent Removal Requires Prolonged Heat Exposure
Removal of ethanol from the primary extract involves continuous exposure to heat, damaging natural
terpenes. As a result, it may affect the extract's color and natural aroma. However, you can
avoid this by capturing the natural terpenes during the carboxylation process before extraction.
Distillation Process May Remove Terpenes
In ethanol extraction, the distillation process may remove natural terpenes during solvent removal.
So, if you intend to use the extract for manufacturing tinctures, you may need to re-introduce the
natural terpenes you collected before extraction. Alternatively, you can introduce synthetically formed
terpenes to the extract for tincture manufacturing.

Distillation Process Should Be Properly Done
The purity of ethanol cannabis extracts depends on the quality of the distillation process. Thus, it’s
essential to distill the extract properly to remove solvent residues and other contaminants that may
affect the purity of the final product, especially when using denatured ethanol.

Use Organic Cannabis

It’s essential to use organic cannabis for ethanol extractions. The cannabis plant absorbs chemicals
and pesticides during growth, and some traces may be found in the mature plant. Thus, 
the hemp source should be determined before using it for extraction to achieve high purity levels.
Denatured Ethanol Extraction
Denatured ethanol is a mixture of pure ethanol and a denaturing solvent such as methanol, isopropyl
alcohol, acetone, or heptane. Manufacturers prefer denatured ethanol in cannabis extraction
because it’s cheaper than pure ethanol.
Heptane is the most commonly used denaturant because it’s easy to separate from ethanol due to
the difference in boiling point. It’s safe to use denatured ethanol in cannabis extraction, provided that
the pure ethanol and denaturant are food-grade and safe to use.
Denatured ethanol extraction may leave residue solvents and chemical contaminants in the final
extract. However, the residues may be considered trace substances if they do not surpass 5000 ppm
as the British Pharmacopeia and the FDA recommended.
Other Considerations In Ethanol Extraction
Ethanol is a category two flammable substance. Thus, ensure that your extraction laboratory adheres
to the National Fire Protection Association’s guidelines on its storage.
In addition, ethanol is a polar solvent with a high-throughput efficiency. However, it’s also selective,
It allows unwanted waxes, oils, and chlorophyll into the primary extract.
Thus, the primary extract needs additional distillation and refining to achieve a pure final extract. If
distillation is done correctly, it eliminates the need for dewaxing and winterizing.

Conclusion

Ethanol extraction is common among various industries, including cannabis extraction. It is generally
safe according to the FDA and efficient in full-spectrum cannabis extractions.
Additionally, it’s easy to store ethanol for large-scale extraction, eliminating winterization and
dewaxing if properly done. Thus, ethanol extraction is an ideal cannabis extraction process.