winterizationremoves

Winterizationremoves is a term used to describe the materials that are removed during the winterization step in solvent-based purification of botanical extracts. While not a widely standardized term, it can appear in process documentation to denote the fraction that is filtered away as dewaxed material.

What is removed

Winterizationremoves refers to lipids, fats, waxes, and other insoluble or lipophilic impurities that precipitate when the extract is dissolved in a cold solvent. These constituents can contribute cloudiness, color, or undesirable mouthfeel, so they are isolated and separated from the desired fraction.

Purpose and effect

The primary aim of winterization removes is to improve the clarity, stability, and taste or aroma of the final product. By reducing waxes and related impurities, the material can become easier to handle, filter, and further process. However, overly aggressive removal can also impact some volatile components, so the balance between purity and preserving desirable compounds is considered.

General approach

A crude extract is dissolved in an appropriate solvent and cooled to encourage precipitation of waxes and related contaminants. The solid phase is then separated by filtration or other solids-removal techniques, leaving a clarified liquid or more refined oil, sometimes referred to as dewaxed material.

Terminology and variants

The operation is often called dewaxing, and winterizationremoves specifically describes the solids captured during this filtration step.

See also

Winterization, dewaxing, solvent extraction, botanical purification.