An isolate is just what it sounds like – an isolated cannabinoid. Certain cannabis products are full spectrum (containing the cannabinoids from the entire plant) and some are specific cannabinoids that are isolated. There isn’t one form thats better than the other, however most people who have tried both tend have a preference. If you’ve only tried one, maybe its time to branch out and see if you like the other better!
You might be wondering how a plant can be broken down and isolated into different cannabinoids. The first step is choosing an extraction method. The most common ones being alcohol extraction, CO2 extraction, Butane extraction, and rosin extraction. Although there are better extraction methods for large scale manufacturing, alcohol extraction is the most commonly used for CBD worldwide. It’s cost efficient, doesn’t require special equipment, and the alcohol can be reused which limits the amount of resources you need.
Usually you’d start with either ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, both of which are very easy to get your hands on (If you’re trying this at home be very careful since these products are extremely flammable). The first step is pouring enough alcohol over your CBD to cover it completely. Stir it and let it sit for about 10 minutes. From here you can just let it sit out to evaporate. Next, decarboxylate and remove fats and chlorophyll by heating it up slowly and carefully. This will make your oil “active” along with filtering out some unwanted plant particles. The best way to do this is with a double boiler. When bubbles start to form, turn down heat. When all your left with is an oil and the alcohol has fully evaporated. From there you can bottle your mixture. What you have is a pure CBD oil that can be used on its own… but to get to an isolate there are still several steps to the process.
The next part of the isolate process is winterization. This starts by adding a 10:1 ration of ethanol to your bottled mixture, mixing them together, and throwing them into a freezer. Next, the frozen product is filtered through multiple layers of low micron mesh filters. After that, reboil your mixture to evaporate the ethanol. Now your product is winterized! There should be no extra byproducts in your mixture. You’re on your way to a pure product!
The final steps of the process require lab equipment and an experienced extractor to complete, so don’t try this on a whim at home. The product you currently have is considered a distillate, and is the closest thing to isolate that most people can achieve at home. Next in the process, a condenser is cooled to -20 degrees C and 1 part pentane to 3 parts CBD distillate is added in. Turn your heating bath up to 45 degrees C and stir until all of the oil has dissolved. Slow the stirring and set the temperature back down to 5 degrees C. Maintain stirring and watch for some isolate to start forming. Then begin the filtration process: pour the crystal solution into a vacuum filter to flush the pentane out. Now you’re done! You should have a beautiful crystal to enjoy on its own, or make into an oil or edible!