Once a refined extract is obtained following distillation, oftentimes some undesirable components are still present. For example, some customers require the removal of THC in order for the extract to be used to create Zero-THC end products. Other times, the resulting extract obtained from distillation has non-compliant levels of THC that need to be reduced to below the legal limit of .3% before sale. In either case, we have the ability to utilize Flash Chromatography to remove undesired components.

Flash Chromatography is a process that utilizes a liquid-mobile and solid-stationary phase in order to separate compounds based on their polarity and hydrophobicity depending on the method used. The liquid-mobile phase is composed of a solvent system (water and ethanol) and the solid-stationary phase is composed of modified silica media. 

To initiate the process, the extract in put into contact with the solid-stationary phase which is held within a column. Next, the liquid-mobile phase is pumped through the column where it interacts with the extract adhered to the stationary phase. As the mobile phase moves through the column, compounds are carried through by the mobile phase at different rates based on either polarity or hydrophobicity and the output of the column is collected in fractions. Because of the chemical properties of THC, the method we utilize allows for complete separation of the THC into its own fractions which are then removed. The other output fractions that do not contain THC are recombined and the solvent removed. The resulting end product contains the desired levels of THC with all other desired compounds present in the original refined oil. This method also allows for the removal of residual pesticides and herbicides that may have come in contact with the crop during development.

Contact us at foothillsventures@outlook.com for more information about our remediation services.