Despite the absence of legal adult-use or medical marijuana, South Carolina is at the forefront of cannabis cultivation research, thanks to Allison Justice, Ph.D. Founder of the Cannabis Research Coalition, Justice is diving deep into the world of federally legal hemp to unveil the secrets of cannabis physiology, with a keen focus on optimizing trichrome preservation during drying and curing.
🌱 Key Discoveries in Drying and Curing
The Cannabis Research Coalition is at the forefront of redefining the drying process for harvested cannabis by focusing intently on the trichrome structure — the key part of the flower that contains cannabinoids and terpenes. Their detailed investigations, using high magnification to observe various drying methods, aim to deepen the understanding of how trichomes function and the ways in which they can be influenced.
The team likens the trichrome to a balloon, highlighting that managing the drying process is a balance of humidity, temperature, and, crucially, atmospheric pressure. Their research indicates that the commonly used drying setting of 60 degrees Fahrenheit with 60% humidity, while effective for producing quality flowers, doesn't optimize the trichome's structural integrity to its fullest potential.
Their observations revealed that as water evaporates from the cells within the trichome's stalk, similar to other plant cells losing moisture, the trichome head itself, which is rich in oils rather than water, reacts differently to the changing environmental pressure. This oil-filled "balloon" can expand or contract in response to the surrounding atmospheric pressure. As the plant dries, the external layer of the trichome head may crack or rupture if not managed with precision, a phenomenon that has been visually documented.
This insight underscores that when terpenes are detectable in the air, they have been released from their trichome vessels. This pivotal discovery by the Cannabis Research Coalition challenges the cannabis industry to reconsider drying and curing approaches, aiming to preserve the integrity of these valuable compounds and, by extension, enhance the overall quality of the cannabis flower.Â
🔬 The Science of Smokability:Â
Beyond drying and curing, Justice's team is tackling "The Science of Smokability," a collaborative project that delves into the composition of pre-rolls. From analyzing starch-to-sugar conversions to examining mineral content, this research aims to decode the factors contributing to the quality of a smoke, including the debated phenomenon of white vs. black ash.
As this research unfolds, it promises to shed light on cultivation best practices, enhancing the smokability and overall quality of cannabis products. For those in the industry, these insights could be game-changers, offering a scientific foundation to refine cultivation techniques for both hemp and marijuana.
🌱💼 Ready to innovate in your cannabis cultivation practices?
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Yamato vacuum oven removes moisture, gas, and other volatile chemicals from products.
Using a vacuum drying oven to purge solvents is cost-effective because it removes steps from your extraction process.Â
The primary mechanism for drying in a vacuum oven is the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber reduces atmospheric pressure, which reduces the boiling point of solvents in cannabis. This allows vacuum ovens to evaporate unwanted materials from their samples without burning them (similar to how the boiling point of water reduces at higher elevations). Typically, cannabis is placed under vacuum pressure and the chamber is set to maintain a temperature of 85ºF (29.4ºC) for anywhere from 8 to 36 hours.Â
Using a vacuum oven will result in a purer and more compliant product, which is safer and more likely to pass the required residual solvent testing.
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