Methods and apparatus for low-pressure radiant energy processing of cannabis
Methods and apparatuses for reducing the bioburden of cannabis using low-pressure radiant energy processing. The present invention achieves sufficient microbial killing and/or adequate drying without impacting product quality (terpene loss, smell, color, texture, etc.) by appropriate determination and application of pressure(s) and radiant energy (e.g., microwave intensity).
1. A method for processing cannabis, comprising:
receiving cannabis material;
performing an analysis of the cannabis material, wherein the type of analysis is selected from the group consisting of photographic/video analysis, laser analysis, spectral/spectrometer analysis, near infrared spectroscopy (NIR), moisture analysis, analysis of components, bioburden analysis, enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA), gas chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), quantitative Polymerase Chain-Reaction (qPCR), and pesticide residue analysis;
determining, based on the analysis, a first radiant energy level;
determining, based on the analysis, a first pressure level; and
processing the cannabis material with radiant energy according to the first radiant energy level and with pressure according to the first pressure level;
wherein the first radiant energy level and the first pressure level are determined so as to reduce a bioburden of the cannabis material to below a predetermined threshold, reduce the moisture content of the cannabis material to below a predetermined threshold, and maintain a terpene content of the cannabis material above a predetermined threshold.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first radiant energy level is 7 kilowatts.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first pressure level is approximately 40,000 Pascal.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the cannabis material is processed for 10 minutes with radiant energy according to the first radiant energy level and with pressure according to the first pressure level.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first pressure level is approximately 40,000 Pascal.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the cannabis material is processed for 10 minutes with radiant energy according to the first radiant energy level and with pressure according to the first pressure level.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first radiant energy level is 5 kilowatts.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first pressure level is approximately 20,000 Pascal.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the cannabis material is processed for 15 minutes with radiant energy according to the first radiant energy level and with pressure according to the first pressure level.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first pressure level is approximately 20,000 Pascal.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the cannabis material is processed for 15 minutes with radiant energy according to the first radiant energy level and with pressure according to the first pressure level.
12. A method for processing cannabis, comprising:
receiving cannabis material;
performing an analysis of the cannabis material, wherein the type of analysis is selected from the group consisting of photographic/video analysis, laser analysis, spectral/spectrometer analysis, near infrared spectroscopy (NIR), moisture analysis, analysis of components, bioburden analysis, enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA), gas chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), quantitative Polymerase Chain-Reaction (qPCR), and pesticide residue analysis;
determining, based on the analysis, a radiant energy level;
determining, based on the analysis, a pressure level;
processing the cannabis material with radiant energy according to the radiant energy level and with pressure according to the pressure level,
wherein the radiant energy level and the pressure level are determined to reduce the water activity of the cannabis material to below 0.60, and to maintain a terpene content of the cannabis material above a predetermined level.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the radiant energy level is 7 kilowatts.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the pressure level is approximately 40,000 Pascal.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the cannabis material is processed for 10 minutes with radiant energy according to the radiant energy level and with pressure according to the pressure level.
16. The method of claim 12 wherein the pressure level is approximately 40,000 Pascal.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the cannabis material is processed for 10 minutes with radiant energy according to the radiant energy level and with pressure according to the pressure level.
18. The method of claim 12 wherein the radiant energy level is 5 kilowatts.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the pressure level is approximately 20,000 Pascal.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the cannabis material is processed for 15 minutes with radiant energy according to the radiant energy level and with pressure according to the pressure level.