Page 139 - Plant Canada 2024 Proceeding

PLANT CANADA 2024

uninterrupted dark period (i.e., 12h photoperiod) in a 24h day during the flowering stage in controlled
environment (CE) cannabis production. Recent research has demonstrated that certain cannabis cultivars
exhibit the capacity to flower under photoperiods exceeding 12h; and our previous study demonstrate a
positive linear correlation between the photosynthetic photon flux density (ranging from approximately
200 to 1800 µmol/m /s) and the yields in some high-THC cannabis cultivars. The aforementioned
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knowledge led us to believe that there is an optimal flowering-stage photoperiod, not necessarily 12h, for
a given high-THC cannabis cultivar. But how can we cost effectively and reliably determine the optimal
photoperiod? This presentation will answer these questions based on our own research results and the
existing literature.

*[O76] OPTIMIZATION OF SOLVENT-BASED EXTRACTION USING A CENTRIFUGE ON THE BASIS
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OF PARTICLE SIZE AND THE AGITATION TIME. Ritul Jyani , Philip Wiredu Addo , Sarah
MacPherson , Nichole Taylor , Michelle Shearer , Fredrick Gallant , Maxime Paris , Valerie Orsat , and
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Mark Lefsrud . McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21111 Lakeshore, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC,
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H9X 3V9; BloomLabs Cannabis Solutions, 173 Dr Bernie MacDonald Dr, Bible Hill, NS B6L 2H5; and
3 EXKA Inc., 7625 Rte Arthur Sauvé, Mirabel, QC J7N 2R6
Correspondence to: valerie.orsat@mcgill.ca

Legalization of cannabis has spurred research aimed towards improving cannabinoid extraction
efficiency, with solvent-based extraction still being a prominent method in the industry. The objective of
this study was to optimize a centrifugal extraction system for better yield and improved solvent recovery.
The centrifuge used for extraction consists of two cycles: agitation, to mix the biomass with the solvent
and spin cycle, to recover the ethanol absorbed in the biomass after drainage.

The solvent recovery during the spin cycle for two different rotation speeds (1000rpm and 1200rpm) for 5
minutes was compared. Pre- and post- spin cycle samples were diluted in an MCT (Medium Chain
Triglycerides) oil to dissolve ethanol and were run through Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy for
analysis. A t-test on the results yielded a p-value of 0.42, indicating that the 1200 rpm does not
significantly differ from the 1000rpm in recovering more ethanol.

The optimization focused on two parameters: particle size and agitation time for cold ethanol (-40°C)
extraction of cannabinoids. Specifically, three particle sizes – fine, medium and coarse, separated with
meshes with openings of 582 µm and 1184 µm, were analysed for three agitation durations (5, 13 and 21
minutes) and varying spin cycle from 1000 to 1200rpm. A central composite face-centred design was
used to ascertain the optimal value of parameters targeting maximum cannabinoid yield. Quantification of
yield was performed by analysing the cannabinoid content pre- and post- extraction using High-
Performance Liquid Chromatography. The finer particles with more agitation time are hypothesised to
yield more cannabinoids because of the more surface area exposed to the solvent.

Overall findings will offer insight into the potential for more efficient extraction of cannabinoids on an
industrial scale.

*[O77] EFFECT OF ENHANCED EFFICIENCY NITROGEN FERTILIZERS AND ANVOL ON SPRING
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WHEAT PRODUCTION AND SOIL HEALTH. Harsh Bagria , Tarlok Singh Sahota , and Brian McLaren .
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1 Natural Resource Department, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada, P7B
5E1; and Lakehead University Agriculture Research Station, 5790 Little Norway Rd, Thunder Bay, ON,
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Canada, P7J 1G1
Correspondence to: hbagria@lakeheadu.ca

Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient that plays a critical role in the cultivation of spring wheat,
affecting several physiological and developmental processes. The widespread use of N fertilizers can
result in environmental contamination, as approximately half of the N applied as fertilizers is lost through
various pathways. Urea treated with N stabilizers such as urease inhibitors and nitrification inhibitors
could be an effective way to reduce N losses. The application of enhanced efficiency N fertilizers such as
polymer-coated urea and urea supplemented with inhibitors of urease and nitrification is expected to
improve the growth, yield, and quality of spring wheat, outperforming the traditional application of
untreated urea. This study tracked the effects of different N sources at two different application rates (80

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