Butane Extraction

Butane extraction is not a terpene, but rather a solvent-based extraction method used to isolate cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material. In this process, liquid butane acts as a solvent to dissolve lipids, cannabinoids, and volatile compounds, which are then evaporated to yield concentrated products commonly called butane hash oil (BHO). The technique gained prominence in cannabis breeding and product development due to its efficiency at capturing full terpene profiles compared to some other extraction methods. Safety protocols are critical, as butane is highly flammable; commercial extraction requires closed-loop systems and proper ventilation. Breeders and geneticists use BHO analysis to study terpene and cannabinoid composition across cultivars, informing strain selection and hybridization decisions.

Breeders rely on butane extraction chromatography data to map terpene and cannabinoid ratios in candidate parents, helping guide crosses aimed at specific chemical profiles. Genetic libraries often catalog BHO profiles to identify stable, heritable traits across generations.