CANNABINOID AND SUGAR ALCOHOL COMPLEX, METHODS TO MAKE AND USE
The present invention generally relates to a sugar alcohol and cannabinoid complex, and methods to prepare this complex from cannabinoid oil comprising at least one cannabinoid. The complex is in solid form and may be used in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic formulations, and medical devices wherein solid forms of cannabinoid are desirable. This complex also enhances release of active cannabinoids in oral consumption. Methods to make this complex are also disclosed.
1 . A method to prepare a cannabinoid and sugar or cannabinoid and sugar alcohol complex comprising the steps of:
adding at least one cannabinoid into a solvent and stir into a mixture;
adding sugar alcohol or mixture of sugar alcohols into the cannabinoid-solvent mixture above to form a cannabinoid and sugar alcohol slurry;
placing the cannabinoid and sugar alcohol slurry in a container;
stirring the cannabinoid and sugar alcohol slurry for at least 15 minutes to form a uniform mixture;
applying heat to the container to raise temperature while applying vacuum to reduce the internal pressure in the container;
collecting evaporated solvent in a cold trap;
stopping the heat and vacuum application; and
harvesting the cannabinoid and sugar alcohol solid mixture.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol and ethanol.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sugar alcohol is selected from the group consisting of isomalt, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, maltitol, and erythritol.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one cannabinoid is selected from the group consisting of Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabinol, and cannabigerol.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the temperature is between 45° C. to 60° C.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the internal pressure in the container is between 100 mmHg to 300 mmHg.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one cannabinoid is provided as cannabis oil, hashish oil, or hemp oil.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one cannabinoid is provided in powder form.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is at 1.4 to 3 times the weight of the sugar, sugar alcohol, mixture of sugar, or mixture of sugar alcohols.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio based on dry weight of cannabinoid to sugar alcohol in the solid mixture is at 1:5 to 1:30.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein heat is applied to the container by means of a heat jacket or a hot plate.