Introduction
Hemp-derived cannabinoids are inherently hydrophobic, meaning they repel water. This creates challenges for manufacturers building beverages, serums, gels, RTDs, syrups, and water-first formulations.
The solution is emulsification science — the process of transforming oil-soluble cannabinoid extracts into stable, uniform, water-compatible systems. This guide provides a technical overview of emulsifier types, mixing methods, stability factors, droplet size management, and application strategies for commercial-scale hemp products.
🧪 What Is an Emulsion (and Why Do Cannabinoids Need One?)
An emulsion is a mixture of two immiscible liquids — oil and water. Cannabinoids exist in the oil phase, so they must be broken into tiny droplets and held in suspension using surfactants and emulsifying agents.
The goal of emulsification is to create:
- Uniform distribution of cannabinoids
- Improved bioavailability
- Shelf-stable clarity or opacity
- Predictable dosing in every serving
- Compatibility with water-based systems
⚙️ Emulsifier Categories & Their Applications
1. Natural Emulsifiers
Used in food, nutraceuticals, and clean-label formulations.
Examples:
- Sunflower lecithin
- Gum arabic
- Quillaja saponins
Pros: Clean label, consumer-friendly
Cons: Larger droplet size; less clarity
Best for: Gummies, syrups, edibles
2. Synthetic Emulsifiers (surfactants)
Used in beverages and cosmetic formulations demanding clarity + stability.
Examples:
- Polysorbate 80
- PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) for topicals
Pros: High stability, smaller droplet sizes
Cons: More stringent regulatory review
Best for: Ready-to-drink beverages
3. Pre-Emulsified Nanoemulsions
These leverage advanced processing to achieve droplet sizes 20–100 nm.
Features:
- Clear or slightly opalescent appearance
- Rapid absorption (fast onset)
- Temperature and pH resilience
Best for:
- Beverages
- Sublingual sprays
- Water-based serums
🧬 Why Droplet Size Matters (The Science)
Droplet size determines:
- Absorption speed
- Stability against coalescence
- Visual clarity
| Droplet Size | Type | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 20–50 nm | Nanoemulsion | Clear, highly bioavailable |
| 50–200 nm | Microemulsion | Slight haze |
| 200–1,000 nm | Standard emulsion | Opaque; stable in foods |
Nanoemulsions provide 3–5x greater absorption than conventional emulsions.
⚗️ Manufacturing Steps (Commercial-Scale Emulsification Protocol)
A generalized SOP:
Step 1 — Create the Oil Phase
Blend:
- Distillate/isolate
- Carrier oil (MCT or sunflower
- Lipophilic emulsifiers
Heat to 40–60°C until fully dissolved.
Step 2 — Prepare Water Phase
Combine:
- Water
- Hydrophilic emulsifiers
- Acids/buffers
- Sweeteners/flavors (if beverage)
Step 3 — Pre-Emulsion
Slowly introduce oil phase into water phase under high-shear mixing (5,000–10,000 rpm).
Step 4 — Homogenization
Run through:
- High-pressure homogenizer
- Ultrasonic processor
- Microfluidizer
Goal: Droplet size <150 nm.
Step 5 — Stability Testing
Validate:
- pH
- Temperature swings
- Light exposure
- Accelerated aging tests
🧩 Troubleshooting Emulsions
- Separation → increase surfactant, check pH
- Foaming → reduce RPM during mixing
- Haze/cloudiness → improve homogenization pressure
- Bitter off-notes → use flavor modulators
Summary
Emulsification transforms hemp extracts into high-performance, water-compatible ingredients, enabling superior delivery systems across beverage, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and wellness applications.
Explore nano-ready isolates & distillates:
https://lowgravityhemp.com/collections/hemp-derived-ingrediants
