11.11.25 — Dorate Extraction
Added 40 g extra KOH.
Reaction had slowed and odor developed — a clear sign of incomplete hydrolysis.
Solution stayed pale, meaning both temperature and KOH strength were too low.
Might switch to nitric acid for neutralization next time to provide nitrate-N and avoid the mild phosphoric/citric buffer limitation.
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12.11.25 — Continued Breakdown
The reaction slowed again after adding the cannabis leaves, releasing more odor than expected.
To finish the process, I added 31.2 g of potassium hydroxide to balance the new biomass and restore proper alkalinity.
The mix has already started to darken again, and the smell is dropping fast.
This should push the hydrolysis toward completion.
Next step is pH testing — if it’s in range, I’ll let it settle before starting the neutralization phase.