Terpenes are all the rage for recreation, health, and beauty. The botanical industry took a keen interest in essential oils or terpenes as the trend of aromatherapy ignited. The promising results of this treatment from plants stimulate psychological, physical, and cognitive functioning.
But how are terpenes extracted? Which is the best extraction and preservation method for these compounds? Read on to find out.
Medium-Chain Triglyceride (MCT)
MCT is a supplement that’s popularized among body builds and athletes. For example, coconut oil, which is rich in MCTs, is highly used. This oil is a manufactured fat, and its name reflects the chemical structure. Being medium-chain, MCT has smaller carbon molecules than long-chain triglycerides fats (LCT).
Because the molecules are arranged in a medium-chain, it makes MCT easily digestible. It gets absorbed in our bloodstream quickly and turns into energy that we can use.
MCT Origin
MCT is extracted from palm kernel or coconut oil because both are abundant with MCT. The market has 100% of MCT oil available apart from the mixture of LCT and MCT. MCT is extracted through the process of fractionation to separate oil and its concentrates.
Extraction and Preservation of Terpenes
Producers of medical cannabis must ensure a stable and consistent amount of terpenes and cannabinoids in the extracted oil. Terpene extraction is challenging because of its volatile and delicate nature. But the extracts are produced in different ways, which raises the question: which method is best for extraction and preservation?
A research study relatively compared the merit of lipid molecules (MCT and olive oil) used to make liquified cannabis oil. The results indicated that while there’s no difference in stability and extraction of cannabinoids when either of those oils is used, MCT does lead to better extraction of terpenes.
This means extracting terpenes through MCT oil results in a larger quantity of terpenes than olive oil. Thus, MCTs are more stable for terpene extraction. Similarly, terpenes remain stable for 90 days in MCT oil than olive oil.
Finally, the ability of MCT oil to store the concentration of active ingredients also makes it a more preferable solvent method of terpene preservation than olive oil.
Key Takeaway
Let’s put it all into simpler terms: terpenes are delicate make their extraction and storage challenging. While both olive oil and MCTs are used to extract and preserve terpenes, MCTs produce more terpenes, and results are more stable than olive oil.
Terpenes are used for multiple purposes. You can buy terpenes for stress release, pain relief, and anxiety. Gold Coast Terpenes offers terpenes isolates in Michigan, and you can buy terpene online through our store. We offer wholesale and bulk ordering options for your convenience. Contact us today to book your order.