Ethanolic extraction is the process by which the active compounds of cannabis —cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids— are separated from the plant material using pharmaceutical ethanol as solvent. It is one of the oldest and best-studied methods in the pharmaceutical industry, and the preferred one when the end goal is a medicinal product with certified purity.
At Panakia we use this method because it combines efficiency, safety and preservation of the full profile of the plant. Unlike other methods, it does not require extreme temperatures or compressed gases.
How does it work?
The process relies on the known solubility of cannabinoids in ethanol. When plant material is immersed in low-temperature ethanol, the active compounds migrate into the solvent while unwanted components —chlorophylls and plant waxes— remain mostly in the solid matter or are separated in later stages.
In our laboratory, the full process is carried out in five stages:
- Material conditioning. Dry flower is milled and chilled to controlled temperatures to reduce the solubility of waxes and chlorophylls.
- Centrifugal low-temperature extraction. Contact with pharmaceutical ethanol at −20 °C for a controlled time.
- Filtration. Separation of the cannabinoid-rich solvent from the plant material.
- Solvent recovery. Ethanol is evaporated under vacuum and recycled, leaving the crude extract.
- Winterization and distillation. Removal of residual fats, waxes and chlorophylls to obtain a clean, golden-caramel distillate.
Keeping ethanol below −20 °C during extraction drastically reduces the co-extraction of chlorophylls and waxes, which translates into a purer, better-tasting final distillate. This seemingly small detail is one of the main determinants of the pharmaceutical quality of the product.
The Panakia process
Every extract batch at Panakia goes through HPLC chromatographic analysis before leaving the laboratory. We verify the cannabinoid profile, residual THC content (always below regulatory limits) and the absence of pesticides, heavy metals, aflatoxins and microbiological contamination. The certificate of analysis accompanies every shipment.
Key points
- Ethanolic extraction preserves the full cannabinoid and terpene profile without requiring high-pressure equipment.
- When carried out at low temperature, it avoids co-extracting chlorophylls and waxes, improving purity and taste.
- Pharmaceutical ethanol is safe for medicinal use — any residue is metabolized naturally.
- Manufacturing under this method makes it possible to reach the API quality required by the regulated pharmaceutical industry.
If your company distributes or formulates medicinal cannabis products and wants to know the technical specifications of our extracts, get in touch: we can send you a complete dossier with representative certificates of analysis.
