A United States research project is looking into the merits of cryogenic freezing on industrial hemp cannabinoids, from the harvest time to extraction before final processing.
The professor of biomedical and chemical engineering at UVA (University of Virginia), Brian Berger, said that the research group is studying the profiles of cryogenic processing that’ll tackle inadequate knowledge. It’ll also offer the best exercises of maximizing the value that’s instantly transferrable to hemp processors and growers looking for ways to maximize their product output.
Air Products (industrial gas purveyor) and UVA have joined efforts in the research. They’re studying the impact of liquid cryogens like fluid nitrogen on the chemical profiles and quantification of CBD used in medical and industrial hemp applications.
Air Products’ industry manager for Chemical Process Industries and Cryogenics, Timothy Lebrecht, said that their sophisticated cryogenic technology and experience have delivered revolutionary solutions for folks in the food and biotech sectors. He added that they’re expecting more collaborations with stakeholders in the industrial hemp sector to boost their CBD processes’ proficiency.
Industrial gases may be crucial at multiple junctures within hemp’s value chain:
- Harvesting- Instantly freezing recently-harvested hemp using liquid nitrogen helps keep off biomass depreciation or mold while maintaining the chemical content.
- Processing- Putting in liquid nitrogen during biomass material grinding to eradicate oil stickiness and heat that support machine downtime and clogging.
- Extraction- In the extraction of ethanol, using the super-cold aspects of liquid nitrogen to keep temperatures within the less than -80 degrees Celsius range for accurate extraction.
- Packaging- treating the end product using liquid nitrogen to protect against moisture or oxidation, promoting shelf-life and oil quality.
- Blanketing/Inerting- ensuring oils are free from oxygen and moisture through nitrogen blanketing to enhance shelf-life and surpass quality and safety regulations.
Brian and other hemp researchers at UVA collaborate with private, state, academic, and non-profit associates to formulate new hemp processing approaches.
