Cannabis-infused products and medical marijuana are at the forefront of an innovative and promising industry. Fueled by a growing consumer base and enthusiasm, the race is on to develop effective, economical and consistent products. The major challenge is formulating cannabis oil into consumable products that match these criteria.

Freund-Vector’s products allow for continuous processing and offer guaranteed scalability. This ensures seamless scale up from small investigatory runs to full production. Our products can offer optimal temperature control along with the highest shear and spray rates possible. The latter ensures that particle sizes can be optimized for uniformity and enhanced bioavailability.

Our Recent Work

Top Spray Trial: CBD and THC emulsified oils were sprayed onto Maltodextrin M500 QD (quick dispersing) to form a free flowing and instantly dissolving powder.  The maltodextrin M500 QD functions well as an oil carrying molecule which allows the oil to be absorbed into the molecule with minimal effect on the powder flowability.  The emulsified solution was applied at 30mg active/g powder in order to fit a standard 10mg dose of CBD into a 1/3g packet.  Talc was added to help with powder flowability.

High Shear Trial: Hemp oil was infused into different blends of Starch B730, Maltodextrin M500 QD and FloGard Silica.  Blends ranged from 97.5% Maltrin M500 and 2.5% FloGard Silica, to 67.5% Maltrin M500, 30% Starch B730, and 2.5% FloGard Silica.  It’s been determined that the flowability of oil infused blends is greatly reduced when the amount of hemp oil infused goes above a 2:1 hemp oil/FloGard Silica ratio.  Additionally, FDA rules don’t allow more that 2.5% silica in food or drugs and tableting higher concentrations of silica does not work well (tablets are soft and crumbly).  However, when held below 2.5% silica, the material tablets well and did not have any oil leeching to report.  Depending on the oil concentration (100mg/g oil was assumed for this study), it would take two 800mg tablets for a standard 10mg dose of CBD.

Equipment used to Effectively Process Cannabis Oils onto a Solid Substrate

Fluidized Beds: The fluid bed granulation process (also known as agglomeration) involves suspending particles in an air stream and spraying a liquid using top-down spray or bottom spray (wurster) onto the fluidized bed.  Particles in the path of the spray get slightly wet and become sticky. The sticky particles collide with other particles in the bed of material and adhere to them to form granules.  Cannabis oils can be used as the solution spray to help in the following ways.

Benefits

• Particle Coating/Flavoring
• Controlled Release Coating
• Oil Absorption
• Micro Dosing
• Dosage Control
• Instantizing

Tablet Coaters: Coating machines work on the simple principle of applying the coating ingredients in the form of a solution to a group of tablets or capsules in a bed that may move horizontally or vertically. A concurrent flow of heated air helps to evaporate the solution. The coating is equally distributed through the movement of the bed. Cannabis oils can be used to apply a thin coating or film for use in the following:

Benefits

• Active Ingredient Release
• Extended Release Coating
• Taste Enhancement
• Appearance/Identification

High Shear Mixers: Process equipment used in the cannabis industry follow rigid specifications for accuracy, consistency and cleanliness. These regulations ensure that end products are safe, pure, and effective. Mixing equipment employed in the production of cannabis along with other industries deal with a higher level of complexity because their use is more specialized. The GRANUMEIST® High Shear Granulator/Mixer system is designed for efficient and homogeneous wet granulation of powders to form medium to high density granules with excellent flow and compression characteristics.  The resulting mixture will then have a homogeneous cannabinoid distribution.

Benefits

• Dosage Control
• Blend Uniformity
• Oil Absorption
• Agglomeration
• Granular Powders

Spray Dryers: We all know that oil and water don’t mix well. This reality makes things a bit tricky for CBD and other oil-soluble plant extracts because most products and supplements we use are not oil-based. What most people don’t know is that CBD, in its natural oil form, can only be effectively incorporated into the body through a narrow range of uses.  One of the primary ways to overcome this is to convert the naturally oil-soluble CBD extract into a water-soluble form. This makes total sense, especially since the average adult is somewhere from 50–60% water.  An activated, water-soluble cannabinoid powder enters the system more quickly, with an onset window of about 20 minutes and effects that can last up to four hours. This is because the solubility of the powder allows for absorption in the mouth, intestines and liver simultaneously.

Benefits

• Solubility
• Scalability
• Delivery

Lab

Freund-Vector’s renovated state of the art research laboratory accommodates multiple lab-to-pilot scale programs concurrently in a team environment. Operating in a non-clinical environment enables us to provide rapid process development at a fraction of the cost charged by other development providers. The quick product turnaround allows for timely analysis of processing changes on performance and economics. Product development can progress from concept to final form in months rather than years in a more traditional facilities, all at a very competitive cost.

 

The cannabis industry is opening the doors to a new generation of cosmetics, beverages, foods, nutritional supplements, pharmaceuticals, and even pet food & wellness products.  Freund-Vector has the expertise to effectively incorporate any active ingredient into a full application.

Contact us today and let’s work together to accomplish your next big idea!