At their basic level, solvents are chemical compounds commonly found in their liquid form, excel at dissolving other substances, and are used for a variety of chemical and industrial processes across industries. While some solvents are better suited for certain jobs than others, there is one that has an array of uses and benefits: Hexane.
In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the desirable properties of this compound, examine if there are any medical uses for hexane, and help you find the best place to buy industrial-grade solvents.
What is Hexane?
Hexane is a widely utilized organic solvent that is relied on by many industries and is present in almost every laboratory around the world. Other than being relatively inexpensive and easily accessible, the non-polar solvent is also popular because of its versatility and specific desirable chemical properties, such as:
- Mostly unreactive and stable
- Low solubility
- Low surface tension
- Low boiling point
- Easily evaporates
- Low odor
- Allows for easy oil recovery in oil extraction processes
Though hexane itself is not specifically utilized in medicine or in pharmaceutical products, it is extremely important in the oil extraction industry, specifically for edible oil production. It is primarily used in the extraction of soybean oil, but has also been used to extract oil from:
- Canola
- Peanuts
- Corn
- Rapeseed
- Sunflower
- Olives
What is Edible Oil Extraction?
The process of oil extraction with a solvent generally involves soaking the seeds or crop with the solvent, enabling the separation of the oil from the plant material. After the oil has separated, the solution is heated so that the solvent evaporates, leaving behind the desired edible oil product.
This extraction method is considered a more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient method compared to traditional methods like pressing.
But oil extraction with the use of a solvent doesn’t just pertain to vegetables and nuts, as hexane can also be used for THC extraction. THC extraction is used to obtain THC from the cannabis plant, which has long been used for both medicinal and recreational purposes.
THC solvent extraction has been proven to provide significantly higher yields than solventless methods. Hexane has been a preferred solvent for THC extraction because of its lower toxicity levels.
As for medical uses of hexane, there aren’t many. The main use of hexane for medicinal purposes is in the extraction process of certain oils that may later be used in the formulation and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.
Looking to Extract?
If you are interested in high-quality industrial solvents, you are in the perfect place! At Extraction Grade Solvents, we provide a selection of various solvents for specific commercial extraction needs. You can browse our selections here, or reach out to staff regarding any questions about products here.