Propane Extraction

Propane extraction is a hydrocarbon solvent extraction method used in cannabis processing to produce concentrated products like shatter, wax, and distillate. The process uses liquefied propane gas as a solvent to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material, operating at low temperatures that can preserve volatile aromatic compounds. Propane is lighter than butane, resulting in faster purging times and potentially different end-product textures. This extraction technique is distinct from the terpene profiles themselves—it's a processing method breeders and extractors consider when developing cultivars intended for concentrate production. The residual terpene composition post-extraction depends heavily on starting plant material and processing parameters rather than being a terpene compound itself.

Breeders working in concentrate-focused programs evaluate how their cultivars perform under propane extraction, considering terpene retention and cannabinoid yield. Strains with robust terpene profiles and dense resin glands are often preferred by extractors using this method, making terpene-rich genetics valuable in modern breeding selection.