Fact Checked by Doctor NameWhat is Terpene Distillation?
Terpene distillation is a cannabis extraction method used to isolate and separate pure terpene compounds found in marijuana strains.
Distillation uses differences in boiling points to systematically extract and fractionate terpenes during evaporation.
The process starts with cured cannabis plant material loaded into an extraction system.
Solvents like ethanol or hydrocarbon gasses are used to strip compounds from the plant matter.
The resulting extract is then heated under vacuum conditions to allow evaporation and separation of compounds.
Because each terpene component has a different boiling point, they can be individually isolated during controlled distillation.
As ethanol evaporates from the mixture, the lightest terpenes, like pinene and limonene, will be the first compounds to boil off and condense.
Heavier compounds like linalool and myrcene require higher temperatures to fully evaporate.
Fractionations provide approximately 90% pure terpene isolates. Myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene, pinene, and linalool are derived from cannabis.
The end products can be used to formulate customized cannabis oils, concentrates and vape formulas tailored with specific effects and flavors.
