CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present patent application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application number 62/749,555 filed October 23, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to extraction of one or more active compounds from a cannabis biomass. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to methods and systems for controlling the temperature at which one or more active compounds are extracted from a cannabis biomass.

2. Description of Related Art

[0003] Cannabis is a genus belonging to the family of cannabaceae. There are three common spedes of cannabis including Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. The genus cannabaceae is indigenous to Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent and has a long history of being used for medicinal, therapeutic, and recreational purposes. For example, cannabis is known to be capable of relieving nausea (such as that accompanying chemotherapy), pain, vomiting, spasticity in multiple sclerosis, and increase hunger in anorexia. The importance of cannabis in therapeutics is emphasized by the ever-increasing number of research publications related to the new indications for cannabis. The term cannabis as used herein can refer to a "cannabis biomass" which can encompass the cannabis sativa plant and variants thereof, including subspecies sativa, indica, and ruderalis, cannabis cultivars, and cannabis chemovars (varieties characterized by chemical composition). The term "cannabis biomass" is to be interpreted accordingly as encompassing plant material derived from one or more cannabis plants. Such cannabis biomasses can naturally contain different amounts of the individual cannabinoids.

[0004] Each cannabis biomass contains a unique class of terpeno-phenolic compounds known as cannabinoids, or phytocannabinoids. The principle cannabinoids present in a cannabis biomass can include Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). THCA does not include psychoactive properties on if s own, but when decarboxylated THCA becomes Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a potent psychoactive cannabinoid. CBDA can be decarboxylated into cannabidiol (CBD), which is a major

cannabinoid substituent in hemp cannabis. CBD was formerly regarded as an inactive constituent, however, there are emerging evidences that CBD has pharmacological activity, which is different from that of Delta-9-THC in several respects. For example, CBD is a non psychoactive cannabinoid and is widely known to have therapeutic potential for a variety of medical conditions including, but not limited to, those described above.

[0005] Decarboxylation can be hastened by heating the cannabis material, such as when the cannabis is smoked or vaporized. However, smoking can result in adverse effects on a user's respiratory system due to the production of potentially toxic substances. Moreover, smoking is an inefficient mechanism which delivers a variable mixture of both active and inactive substances, many of which may be undesirable. Common alternative delivery methods, including but not limited to, ingestion, typically require an extraction process to be performed on the cannabis biomass to remove and concentrate the desired components. These extract products are often referred to as cannabis concentrates, cannabis extracts, or cannabis oils.

SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for extracting one or more active compounds from a cannabis biomass. Specifically, the processes described herein provide for the extraction of such active compounds without decarboxylation of the one or more active compounds.

[0007] Exemplary methods for extracting active compounds from a raw cannabis biomass may therefore include preparing a raw cannabis biomass, adding a solvent to form a slurry, extracting and separating out a quantity of active compounds, wherein the extraction is performed at a temperature less than the temperature at which the active compounds decarboxylate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for extracting active compounds from a cannabis biomass.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for extracting active compounds from a cannabis biomass.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for extraction of a compound using a heating control unit.

[0011] FIG.4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for decarboxylation of a compound.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Decarboxylation of acidic cannabinoids present in a cannabis biomass can provide the neutral cannabinoid compounds including, but not limited to, THC, CBD, CBG, CBN which are commonly used for medicinal, therapeutic, and recreational purposes. However, the acidic cannabinoids themselves are also capable of providing medicinal and therapeutic benefits including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and anti-emetic properties. In some cases, therefore, it may be preferable to prepare a cannabis product (such as an extract or concentrate) in which the cannabinoids have not been decarboxylated. In other cases, it may be beneficial to provide a medication having both acid and neutral forms of cannabinoids therein. As such, there remains a need for a method capable of decarboxylating some addic cannabinoids while preventing the decarboxylation of other acidic cannabinoids.

[0013] Additionally, there is a need for an efficient process for controlling parameters of a cannabinoid extraction and decarboxylation process. The process should be simple, efficient, economical, and allow for the production of cannabinoids having a substantially high purity. Moreover, the process should have mild operating conditions in order to minimize the decarboxylation of certain desired acidic cannabinoids. The process can be operable to limit the prolonged exposure to excessive heat, which can lead to degradation of the cannabinoids. For example, prolonged exposure to heat may cause THCA to polymerize or oxidize, and prolonged exposure to heat may cause THC to degrade to CBN and CBNA. The process should use environment friendly solvents.

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.

[0015] An exemplary method 200 for extracting active compounds from a cannabis biomass will now be explained with reference to various units illustrated in system 100 of FIG. 1 and the flow chart illustrated in FIG. 2. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 for extracting active compounds from a cannabis biomass, and FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method 200 for extracting active compounds using said system 100. One skilled in the art will appreciate that, for this and other processes and methods disclosed herein, the functions performed in the processes and methods may be implemented in differing order. Furthermore, the outlined steps and operations are only provided as examples, and some of the steps and operations may be optional, combined into fewer steps and operations, or expanded into additional steps and operations without detracting from the essence of the disclosed

embodiments.

[0016] The method 200 can begin at block 202 wherein a raw biomass is obtained. As described above, a raw cannabis biomass can include as plant material derived from one or more cannabis plants. The raw biomass can be any part of the cannabis plant which may contain cannabinoids including, but not limited to, leaves, stems, roots, and the like. The raw biomass may contain target compounds to be extraction. The raw biomass may be present in the form of dried, ground, and non-decarboxylated flowers (buds). The raw biomass may be stored in a raw biomass unit 102 of system 100.

[0017] At block 204, the raw biomass may be sampled and analyzed using a sampling unit 104 of the system 100. The raw biomass can be sampled and analyzed using one or more various sampling and analytical techniques. In at least one example, the raw biomass can be sampled to and analyzed to determine the cannabinoid content of the biomass and to provide a cannabinoid profile. Such analysis may be performed, for example, using an Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) detection technique.

Furthermore, the sampling and analysis unit may provide a terpene profile of the raw biomass using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The sampling and analysis techniques used in sampling unit 104 can assist in the determination of the cannabinoid content and the cannabinoid profile for the raw biomass, which can be used to determine the various parameters of the extraction.

[0018] At block 206, the raw biomass can be processed to obtain a prepared biomass. The raw biomass may be transferred to a biomass preparation unit 106 to be processed. The biomass preparation unit 106 can process the raw biomass using one or more techniques including, but not limited to, drying, grinding, milling, and combinations thereof. In at least one example, the prepared biomass can then be transferred to and stored in a biomass storage unit 108.

[0019] At block 208, a slurry may be formed. The slurry can be formed in a slurry formation unit 110, wherein the slurry is be formed by adding a solvent from a solvent storage unit 112 to the prepared biomass. The solvent added to the prepared biomass can be selected based on different dielectric and solvent parameter properties. In at least one example, the solvent may be selected from an alcohol group (such as, ethanol, isopropanol), alkane group (such as, pentane), and ketone group (such as, acetone, butanone).

[0020] At block 210, the slurry can be transferred to an extractor 114. In at least one example, the extractor 114 can be a continuous flow extractor. The slurry can be transported from the slurry formation unit 110 to the extractor 114 using a set of mechanical conveyors including, but not limited to, worm gears or slurry pumps. Once in the extractor 114, the slurry can be subjected to a thermal process. In at least one example, the thermal process can include heating the slurry using a heating unit 116. In at least one embodiment the heating unit 116 can include a microwave unit, a radiofrequency unit, or a steam heating apparatus. Furthermore, the heating unit 116 of the system 100 can be controlled via a heating control unit 118 operable to adjust or maintain certain temperatures throughout the extraction process. For example, a safe temperature range can be determined using a decarboxylation algorithm executed by a decarboxylation module 120 stored on the heating control unit 118. The decarboxylation algorithm can determine the optimal temperature for heating the slurry using the heating unit 116 to extract the desired compounds. In at least one example, the sampling unit 104 can be communicably coupled with the heating control unit 118 such that the cannabinoid content and the cannabinoid profile can be factored into the decarboxylation algorithm in order to obtain the best extraction efficiency.

[0021] The operations performed by the heating control unit 118 to determine the optimum temperatures at which to operate the heating unit 116 is explained with reference to FIG. 3. Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method 300 for controlling an extraction such that the extraction process does not result in or limits decarboxylation of certain active compounds. In at least one example, the heating control unit 118 can include a decarboxylation module 120 operable to execute a decarboxylation algorithm. The decarboxylation algorithm can be used to determine a safe temperature range at which the extraction can be carried out to minimize the decarboxylation of the desired active compounds. In at least one example, the active compounds can include, but are not limited to, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic add (THCA) and

cannabidiolic add (CBDA). Furthermore, the heating control emit 118 can indude a heating database 122 operable to store historical data relating to previous extractions. For example, the heating database can include information such as safe temperature ranges for specific cannabinoid content or cannabinoid profiles, as determined by the sampling unit 104. In an additional example, the heating database can include safe temperature ranges for specific cannabinoid content or cannabinoid profiles entered by a user. The heating control unit 118 can be operable to predsely control the heating unit 116 in order to minimize unwanted

decarboxylation of specific active compounds.

[0022] Specifically, method 300 can begin at block 302 where the heating control unit 118 receives heating instructions from the decarboxylation module 120. The heating instructions can include, for example, a temperature at which certain cannabinoids begin to decarboxylate and the time required to achieve a given percentage of decarboxylation at that temperature. In at least one example, the heating instructions can indude instructions for a heating sequence including preheating parameters, extraction parameters, and cool down parameters. In at least one example, the heating sequence can be designed to decarboxylate a predetermined amount of the cannabinoids present in the raw biomass. In an alternative example, the heating sequence can be designed to avoid decarboxylation of some, or all, of the cannabinoids present in the raw biomass. The heating control unit 118 may initiate a heating sequence for the extractor 114 at block 304 by sending the preheating parameters to the heating unit 116. Once the preheating parameters are received, the heating control unit 118 can activate a preheat instruction. At block 306, the heating control unit 118 can determine whether the preheating operation is complete. If the preheating parameters are met, the method 300 can proceed to block 308, extraction heat parameters are determined and sent to the heating unit 116. In the alternative, if the heating control unit 118 determines that the preheating parameters have not been met, the method 300 the heating control unit 118 can revert to block 304 and resend the preheat parameters to the heating unit 116. The heating control unit 118 can continue to resend the preheating parameters to the heating unit 116 until the heating control unit 118 determines that the preheating parameters have been met.

[0023] Once the preheating parameters have been met, the heating control unit 118 can determine a set of extraction parameters, as described above. The extraction parameters can include a temperature range which the slurry will be exposed to in the extractor. As described above, the temperature range can be calculated based on information received from the sampling unit 104 regarding the cannabinoid content or cannabinoid profile of the raw biomass. At block 308, the heating control unit 118 can send the extraction heat parameters to the heating unit 116.

[0024] At block 310, the heating control unit 118 can determine whether the extraction operation is complete. In at least one example, completion of the extraction operation can mark beginning of the extraction phase of a heating sequence. If the heating control unit 118 determines that the extraction operation is not complete, the heating control unit 118 can resend the extraction heat parameters to the heating unit 116. This process can repeat until the heating control unit 118 determines that the extraction operation is complete. Once the heating control unit 118 determines that the extraction operation has been completed, the heating control unit 118 can determine a set of cool down instructions. At block 312, the heating control unit 118 can send the cool down instructions to the heating unit 116. In at least one example, the heating sequence can include preheating, extraction, and cool down. As such, the heating sequence may not be completed until after the cool down instructions have been sent.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method 400 for determining the heating sequence described with respect to the FIG. 3 using the decarboxylation algorithm. Specifically, the method 400 can begin at block 402, where the decarboxylation algorithm retrieves historical data from the heating database 122 and receives a temperature at which active compounds of the raw biomass will begin to be decarboxylated. The decarboxylation temperature of the cannabinoids can vary based on the amount, including ratio, of different cannabinoids. In at least one example, the time to achieve a given percentage of decarboxylation can be received. In at least one example, the temperature at which the active compounds can be decarboxylated is determined at least partially based on the cannabinoid content or cannabinoid profile received from the sampling unit 104. Furthermore, the additives can also adjust the temperature at which certain biomasses will decarboxylate. The decarboxylation algorithm can be operable to account for the cannabinoid content, cannabinoid profile, terpene profile, solvents, and the like in the calculations described with respect to FIG. 4. Table 1, below, illustrates an exemplary data entry stored in the heating database 122 for retrieval.

Table 1

[0026] As shown in Table 1, the heating database 122 may store data including, for example, temperature and duration parameters related to various extractions previously performed. Such data may be received from multiple sources including, but not limited to, sensors placed at one or more locations throughout the extraction system 100 (such as extractor sensor 124). The sensors located throughout the system 100 can include, for example, a thermal sensor. In at least one example, the sampling unit 104 can sample the raw biomass and extract, at one or more locations throughout the system 100, data including initial cannabinoid content from the biomass as described above. In the alternative, data such as cannabinoid potency (concentration) or cannabinoid profiles relating to the raw biomass can be obtained from the biomass producer and/or 3 ^rd party lab tests. The data may be used by a decarboxylation algorithm to determine the optimal extraction parameters, as described in detail below, based on the amount of decarboxylation that is desired. In at least one example, no decarboxylation may be desired. In an alternative example, partial decarboxylation may be desired.

[0027] Referring back to FIG. 4, at block 404 the method 400 can determine an appropriate safe temperature range is calculated using the decarboxylation algorithm based on the historical data. Once the safe temperature range is determined, at block 406 the decarboxylation algorithm can determine the amount of heating power necessary to achieve the safe temperature range. At block 408 preheat, extraction, and a cool down sequences can be calculated by the

decarboxylation algorithm. In at least one example, the preheat, extraction, and cool down sequences can be calculated based on the safe temperature range and heating power required to achieve said safe temperature range. At block 410, the decarboxylation algorithm can determine a maximum and/or minimum residence time required to extract the desired active compounds. The residence time can be the maximum or minimum time allowable for the desired active compounds to be extracted from the slurry, without causing any unwanted decarboxylation. As illustrated with respect to Table 1, above, the temperature and residence time can have a significant effect on the decarboxylation that occurs during the extraction process. As such, the safe temperature range and the residence time can be determined by the decarboxylation algorithm in order to achieve the desired decarboxylation percentage. Finally, at block 412, the decarboxylation module 120 can send the preheat, extraction, and cool down sequences to the heating control unit 118.

[0028] Referring back to FIG. 2, once the extraction process has been completed using the heating sequences described above, the extract mixture can be transferred from the extractor 114 to a filtration and separation unit 126. At block 212, the spent biomass can be separated from the extract mixture. Specifically, the spent biomass can be separated from the extract mixture using any suitable means including, but not limited to, filtration, centrifuge, and other similar processes.

[0029] Once separated, the spent biomass can be transferred to a spent biomass storage unit 128. At block 214, the spent biomass in the spent biomass storage unit 128 can be sampled and analyzed using the sampling unit 104. For example, the sampling unit 104 can be used to determine the percentage of materials extracted from the original raw biomass. The spent biomass can be sampled and analyzed using any conventional sampling and analytical technique. In at least one example, the sampling can include an analysis of cannabinoid content and cannabinoid profile can be obtained using UHPLC-MS detection, as described above.

Additionally, a terpene profile of the spent biomass can be obtained by GC-MS detection, as described above. Sampling and analytical techniques, such as those described herein, can assist in the determination of extraction efficiency of the system 100, by comparing the cannabinoid content and the cannabinoid profile for the raw biomass with that of the spent biomass the and the final extract. After the spent biomass is sampled, the spent biomass stored in the spent biomass storage unit 128 can be disposed. In at least one example, the spent biomass can be transferred to a disposal unit 130 where the spent biomass, also referred to as waste spent biomass, may be incinerated or mixed with a deactivating agent for disposal. In at least one example, clay can be used as a deactivating agent.

[0030] After the extracted mixture is separated from the spent biomass in the filtration and separation unit 126, the extracted mixture can be transferred to a solvent recovery unit 132. At block 216, the solvent added prior to extraction can be recovered from the extract mixture. The solvent recovered from the extract mixture by solvent recovery unit 132 can be transferred back to the solvent storage unit 112 and used in a subsequent extraction process. In at least one example, the solvent may be recovered using a distillation process.

[0031] Once the extract is desolventized, the method 200 can proceed to block 218 where a final formulation may be prepared. The final formulation can be prepared by a formulation unit 134. It should be noted that the desolvenized extract can be formulated into a final formulated extract using at least one or more formulation methods. In at least one example, the extract mixture may be formulated with a carrier fluid to create the final formulation. Carrier fluids compatible with the methods described herein can include, but are not limited to, Medium- chain Triglyceride (MCT) oils. The final formulated extract can then be transferred to and stored in a formulated extract unit 136. In at least one example, the final formulated extract can be subjected to a subsequent heating process operable to control the quality of extract created. Specifically, the final formulated extract, including a carrier oil, can in at least one example be subjected to a subsequent heating process to achieve decarboxylation of the formulated extract. [0032] At block 220, the final formulated extract can be sampled and analyzed using the sampling unit 104. As described above with respect to the sampling unit 104, the final formulated extract can be sampled and analyzed using several techniques including, but not limited to, UHPLC-MS and GC-MS in order to obtain one or more of a cannabinoid content, a cannabinoid profile and a terpene profile of the final formulated extract. In at least one example, the data obtained from the sampling unit 104 including, but not limited to, the cannabinoid content, the cannabinoid profile, or the terpene profile of the final formulated extract can be stored in the heating database 122. Additionally, as shown in Table 1, the data obtained from the final formulated extract can be related back to the same data (cannabinoid content, cannabinoid profile, terpene profile) of the original raw biomass to determine the efficiency of the extraction process and the total decarboxylation that occurred during the process.

[0033] The foregoing detailed description of the technology has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The described embodiments were chosen in order to best explain the principles of the technology, its practical application, and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the technology in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the technology be defined by the claims.