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The Process for infusion of oil or butter with cannbinoids is well-known in the cannabis community. This document offers a standardized process for optimizing the quality of the end infusion product using biomass.
You are an expert chemist. You are producing a hemp extraction with zero thc from biomass. What is the optimal amount of biomass per gallon of soybean oil to maximize the concentration of the resulting infusion? The extraction will be made by boiling filter bags full of biomass in water that also contains the carrier oil.
We need to answer: "optimal amount of biomass per gallon of soybean oil to maximize concentration of resulting infusion" for zero THC hemp extraction, boiled filter bags in water that also contains carrier oil. So we need to provide an estimate. Factors: solubility of cannabinoids (but THC removed). We want cannabinoids like CBD, terpenes. We need to consider extraction efficiency, solubility limits, mass balance. We need to suggest typical ratio of biomass to oil (e.g., 1:10 weight to volume). Provide guidelines: 1 gram per ml? Actually typical extractions: 1:10 ratio of biomass to oil? For supercritical CO2 extraction yields ~0.5-1% of weight. For solvent extraction, maybe 2-5% yield. For boiling method, lower efficiency. Suggest using ~10-20 g per liter (~100-200 g per gallon). Provide rationale. Provide notes on temperature, time, filter bag. Use water to facilitate extraction? Provide caution on THC contamination, but zero THC requirement. Provide step-by-step method. Provide recommended ratio 1:1 w/w? Let's compute: If we have 1 gallon (3.785 L) soybean oil. If we add 200 g biomass, that's ~0.05% weight of oil. Suppose extraction efficiency 10% for CBD (~200 mg per 200 g?). Actually typical hemp has 10-20% CBD by weight. So 200 g would have 20-40 g of CBD. 10% extraction yields 2-4 g in oil. In 3.785 L of oil, that's ~0.5-1% w/v. This is good. So ratio ~200 g per gallon. Could vary 100-300 g. Provide suggestions: use filter bag, 3 hours boil, use 1:1 water to oil to help extract. Provide final answer.
We must also mention zero THC: use hemp variety with <0.3% THC, and post-extraction THC removal via filtration or decarboxylation? Actually boiling may degrade THC but still may have. But we can keep it.
Let's answer.
| Biomass per gallon of oil | Approx. CBD in dry hemp | Extraction (10 %) | CBD in oil (w/v) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 g | 10–20 g | 1–2 g | 0.03–0.05 % |
| 150 g | 15–30 g | 1.5–3 g | 0.04–0.07 % |
| 200 g | 20–40 g | 2–4 g | 0.05–0.10 % |
| 250 g | 25–50 g | 2.5–5 g | 0.06–0.13 % |
| 300 g | 30–60 g | 3–6 g | 0.07–0.16 % |
The w/v (%) column is the maximum that the oil can hold at ~90 °C before saturation. Exceeding that will leave excess CBD in the plant material and/or in the aqueous phase.
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Weigh the Biomass
- Aim for 200 g dry weight.
- If the plant is very wet (≈ 70 % moisture), dry it first or adjust the weight so the dry mass is 200 g.
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Prepare the Filter Bags
- Use food‑grade, heat‑resistant filter bags (e.g., nylon or cotton).
- Line the bags with a thin, oil‑impermeable layer (e.g., parchment or a small amount of filter paper) to prevent oil from leaking during boiling.
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Load the Bags
- Place the 200 g of hemp into the bag(s).
- You can split the biomass into 2–3 smaller bags to allow better surface contact and prevent clogging.
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Set Up the Boiler
- Use a large pot that holds at least 4 L of liquid (to keep the bag(s) submerged).
- Add 1 gallon (3.785 L) of soybean oil and an equal volume of de‑ionized water (≈ 3.8 L).
- The water acts as a “buffer” to keep the bag(s) from drying out and helps bring the oil up to a uniform temperature.
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Heat
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil (≈ 100 °C) and maintain that temperature for 3 hours.
- Stir occasionally to keep the bags from sticking and to promote even extraction.
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Cool & Strain
- After 3 h, remove the pot from the heat and let the mixture cool to ~70 °C.
- Open the bags and strain the oil through a fine‑mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container.
- Discard the plant residue.
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Optional Post‑Processing
- If you want to ensure zero THC, you can run the oil through a thc‑specific resin filter (e.g., hemp resin or a dedicated THC‑depleting column).
- Alternatively, flash‑distill the oil briefly (≈ 160 °C under vacuum) to evaporate any remaining volatile cannabinoids.
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Storage
- Store the infused oil in a dark, airtight bottle at 4 °C.
- The oil should stay stable for 6–12 months.
| Parameter | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| Biomass/Water Ratio | 200 g/3.8 L ≈ 1:19 (w/v). This ratio gives a high surface area without over‑saturating the water, so the oil can “pull” the cannabinoids efficiently. |
| Oil Volume | 1 gal is a manageable size for most home or small‑scale lab setups. |
| Extraction Time | 3 h is long enough to approach equilibrium for non‑polar compounds in a low‑temperature solvent system. |
| Boiling Temperature | Keeps the oil from degrading (oil’s flash point ~200 °C) while still promoting diffusion of cannabinoids. |
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If you want a thicker oil (higher concentration) and can tolerate a slightly higher viscosity:
- Increase biomass to 250 – 300 g.
- Expect the oil to reach ~0.07–0.13 % w/v CBD.
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If you’re concerned about extraction efficiency or have a lower‑cannabinoid variety:
- Decrease to 150 g.
- You’ll still get ~0.04–0.07 % w/v, but the process is safer against over‑saturation.
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If you want to keep the oil very light (e.g., for topical applications that should feel non‑greasy):
- Stick to 100 – 150 g.
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Dry the Biomass – Moisture competes with oil for the cannabinoids and can also create a steam‑laden environment that reduces boiling efficiency. Aim for < 10 % moisture content.
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Use a Double‑Bag – The outer bag holds the oil and protects the inner bag from mechanical stress during boiling. This also allows you to rinse the inner bag afterward, keeping the oil cleaner.
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Monitor Oil Temperature – Even a slight drop in temperature can reduce the solubility of terpenes and cannabinoids. A digital thermometer helps keep the oil in the 90 – 100 °C window.
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Avoid Over‑Heating – Exceeding 100 °C for extended periods can oxidize the oil, producing off‑odors and reducing shelf life.
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Consider an Extra Filtration Step – If the oil looks cloudy or if you detect residual plant particles, run it through a coffee‑filter or a fine‑mesh filter before final storage.