In recent years, industrial hemp uses have spanned across medicinal, food, and cosmetic industries. Cannabis plants have been scientifically proven to provide many medicinal and nutritional benefits:
- High source of fiber, fat, and protein
- May improve cardiovascular health
- May improve skin conditions, such as eczema
- Serves as a therapeutic agent for diseases affecting the central nervous system, like multiple sclerosis and epilepsy
- May aid cancer treatment
- Can provide pain relief for painful conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
- Aids those suffering from sleep disorders
How is hemp-extracted at the industrial level?
Most of the time, it is industrially extracted through the process of solvent extraction. Which involves the use of a solvent to chemically extract the oil from the plant substance. The plant substance, which could be nuts, seeds, or flowers, is soaked in a solvent solution, with the solvent later being extracted or evaporated to leave the desired oil behind. There are other options for the extraction of a plant oil, such as CO2 extraction. However, solvent extraction has remained the most popular method due to its effectiveness and low cost.
What solvents are used for hemp extraction?
The most common chemicals utilized in solvent extraction include:
- Butane
- Ethanol
- Propane
- Hexane
- Pentane
- Heptane
These solvents are used because of their slow evaporation rate, low boiling point, and simple evaporation, allowing for easy product recovery.
There are many more options when it comes to finding an effective solvent for hemp extraction, and there are even green solvents available that can just as effectively extract a desired hemp oil, such as dimethyl ether. Though organic and sometimes environmentally harmful solvents are utilized for these processes, green solvents are gaining popularity and may provide better yields than traditional organic solvents.
Interested in solvents for industrial hemp uses?
Extraction Grade Solvents provides a selection of high-quality industrial solvents for various business applications. If you are looking for a high-quality solvent for your industrial needs, check out our selection of products here. If you have any questions or need assistance finding the best product for your needs, reach out to the specialized staff here!