Is there any point in using high end weed to decarb for oil or butter infusions?

[Morakot]

5 hours ago, HugoFastor said:

Don't overthink it. Use the highest THC potency weed you can get. 30 grams to 200 ml of oil. Be careful not to burn the weed during decarb or you risk ruining the flavor. Then infuse it into the oil for 4 hours. When it's ready put 10 drops under your tongue. Feel high, be happy and the rest of it won't matter. 

 

Thanks Hugo for the suggestion. This is actually for CBD oil drops and CBD skin ointments. It would be useful to have some rough estimate of the potency of the remedy.

[SamuiGrower]

7 hours ago, Morakot said:

Oh, really. Why will all terpenes be lost?

There are several reasons:

 

1. Terpenes, especially monoterpenes are extremely volatile and have low boiling points: 110-160C. They begin to volatilize in drying/curing, and are the first to “go”. Outside of lab technique, extended dry heating (decarboxylation time/temp curve) or heating in fat (especially at the 4 hr mention in the above post) will assure terpene evaporation.

 

2. Degradation. Even at temperatures below the decarboxylation curve, there is oxidation of both C10 and C15 terpenes (mono/sesquiterpenes). Because of this oxidative (and some enzymatic) degradation, the low molecular weight odor compounds are destroyed.

 

3. Dissolving in ethanol (winterizing/chlorophyll mitigation) will dissolve all terpenes and cannabinoids. Evaporating off the ethanol leaves only the cannabinoids (i.e. THC, CBD, etc.) remaining (higher BP). Mostly all terpenes are lost.

 

4. Lack of a controlled environment will almost assure you of terpene loss. Uniform drying, grinding, even surface area and even time/temp curve in a calibrated, oven or, as mentioned, a “prosumer decarboxylation device” will minimize terpene loss.

 

Decarboxylating in a glass reactor, closed loop vacuum, at the lowest temperature is a common way of preserving terpenes - commercially. A vacuum lowers the boiling point (BP) considerably, facilitating terpene preservation. See attached photo.

 

Extraction of fresh frozen flower, in ethanol/hydrocarbon and then decarbing in a vacuum glass reactor is the current standard for terpene preservation and whole plant ‘goodness’.

 

“Live Rosin” - extraction of fresh frozen flower is the current de facto standard in vape extracts and DAB. This is the best and current standard for terpene preservation. It is, however, decarboxylated at the time of combustion THCa ——>THC and would not be suitable for edibles.

 

7 hours ago, Morakot said:

Would decarbing the final oil rather than the botanicals make a differences?

Yes, this is industry standard. Putting the extract/oil through vacuum decarboxylation will preserve terpenes and increase yield.

 

 

Edited July 17 by SamuiGrower

[Morakot]

Thanks SamuiGrower for your very informative reply! I think I've learned something here.

[stoner]

3 hours ago, Morakot said:

 

Thanks Hugo for the suggestion. This is actually for CBD oil drops and CBD skin ointments. It would be useful to have some rough estimate of the potency of the remedy.

 

What if the cbd ointment going to be used for if you want to say.

 

Just curious as I make a thc salve cream.