Liquid extraction from nuts (walnut, almond, pecan etc) and safety?

[Vikaernes]

Did a little bit of research, both here and via google, but couldn't really find a definitive answer. I've been thinking about extracting flavors from some natural sources, and have concerns regarding the relative safety of each. I know a lot of people do natural extractions from tobacco, coffee, tea and vanilla, but what about other things like nuts and clove? I understand there is concern regarding lipid pneumonia from oils, does this apply to flavors extracted in PG from nuts and clove? Any information you have would be useful, I want to really do my homework before extracting my own flavors.

 

[IDJoel]

If your willing to do the leg work I suggest you read the links in this search. They are posts from a user named Kurt who is an active university professor of chemistry in Pennsylvania, vapes, and is interested in DIY. He participates here on ECF as time permits.

He has commented on various extraction questions in the past. The link will give you a head start to finding those. Once you check those out maybe you will have more specific questions you can post here and tag Kurt to see if he'll join the conversation.

Sorry this sounds so abrupt (not my intention) but after reading some of Kurt's stuff; I know just enough to know I don't know diddly and I don't want to be spouting bad science and hearsay.

 

[Kurt]

I would not recommend vaping extracts from nuts, since they will be of high lipid content, not to mention proteins, neither of which are good to vape. Lipids do not expel from lungs well and can lead to serious health problems, and proteins will easily decompose into God knows what radicals and oxidation species, and even if they don't decompose are not something you want to be inhaling into your lungs. There may be other risky compounds too.

I recommend simply buying flavors that are meant to mimic nuts. There are plenty.

I don't know if extracting from cloves would be a problem like with nuts or fruits, but eugenol (clove flavor) is somewhat cytotoxic, although I don't know if it is in the concentrations vapers would be exposed to.

You are not the only one asking about whole-food extracts, Vikaernes. I think people need to realize that the lungs are simply not capable of safely inhaling everything that we eat. Stick with flavors made from artificial and natural flavor compounds, and by "natural" I mean the flavor industry definition, not flavorings made from whole-food extracts. Vanilla is MAYBE ok as an extract, since it normally does not contain a lot other than vanillins, but I would not recommend vaping any vanilla flavor that is made from crushed or blended whole beans, even if filtered. Simple ethanol extraction is probably the best for vanilla.

 

[Vikaernes]

I would not recommend vaping extracts from nuts, since they will be of high lipid content, not to mention proteins, neither of which are good to vape. Lipids do not expel from lungs well and can lead to serious health problems, and proteins will easily decompose into God knows what radicals and oxidation species, and even if they don't decompose are not something you want to be inhaling into your lungs. There may be other risky compounds too.

I recommend simply buying flavors that are meant to mimic nuts. There are plenty.

I don't know if extracting from cloves would be a problem like with nuts or fruits, but eugenol (clove flavor) is somewhat cytotoxic, although I don't know if it is in the concentrations vapers would be exposed to.

You are not the only one asking about whole-food extracts, Vikaernes. I think people need to realize that the lungs are simply not capable of safely inhaling everything that we eat. Stick with flavors made from artificial and natural flavor compounds, and by "natural" I mean the flavor industry definition, not flavorings made from whole-food extracts. Vanilla is MAYBE ok as an extract, since it normally does not contain a lot other than vanillins, but I would not recommend vaping any vanilla flavor that is made from crushed or blended whole beans, even if filtered. Simple ethanol extraction is probably the best for vanilla.

Exactly the kind of information I was looking for, thank you Kurt! While I've got your ear in this thread, I've also heard about a lot of people making extracts from teas, what are your thoughts on this? While I know that it's best to just buy synthetic flavors and use those, with the deeming regs already upon us my concern is that eventually, those flavors will no longer be available to us. So while I may never actually get around to using flavors I extract myself, I want to know what's the safest things to potentially extract from, if it ever becomes a necessity. Thank you again for taking the time to reply!

 

[Kurt]

Well, I don't know how the FDA can keep people from buying flavors, which are used in food and drink products. I have not heard of there being restrictions on flavors, per se, but perhaps on flavored e-liquid finished products. It is possible flavor companies catering to DIY will have to register their products, and this could contract the market some, but that is unclear at the moment.

I don't think tea extracts are a good idea to vape. These will contain tannins, which are high molecular-weigh poly-phenols, and would not be good to inhale and can easily decompose on the coil. Plus, tea if let sit will mold, so it is a good food for mold to eat and multiply. In PG/VG maybe not, but the tannins would keep me from vaping tea extracts.

 

[IDJoel]

@Kurt you Rock! Thank you so much for taking the time!!