Work

CBGA-rich Cannabis sativa subcritical water vs supercritical CO2 and organic solvent extraction: Cannabinoids, volatiles and antioxidant activity

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Subcritical water extraction (SWE) was evaluated as an alternative to conventional and modern extraction methods for the recovery of cannabinoids, volatile compounds and antioxidants from CBGA-rich hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.). A 2^3 full factorial design of experiments (DoE) was applied to optimize the SWE conditions. The extraction yield was determined gravimetrically, and antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content were analysed using spectrophotometric methods. HPLC was used to quantify cannabinoids, while GC-MS was applied for the volatile compound analysis of the essential oil and condensed aqueous phase obtained through Clevenger distillation. SWE achieved a yield of 35.9 % and a high antioxidant activity, which is comparable to Soxhlet and high-pressure ethanol extraction methods. The temperature and the drug-to-solvent ratio were identified as significant factors affecting the yield, with Soxhlet extraction yielding the highest CBG content (36.1 %) and high-pressure ethanol extraction yielding the highest CBGA content (17.4 %). GC-MS analysis revealed that the essential oil was rich in sesquiterpenes (82.5 %), while the aqueous phase contained predominantly oxygenated monoterpenes (35.0 %). In conclusion, SWE is a promising method for obtaining hemp extracts with a high antioxidant activity and favourable yields, making it a potential sustainable alternative to conventional extraction methods. • Subcritical water extraction (SWE) achieves high antioxidant activity in hemp extracts. • SWE is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional extraction methods. • Optimized SWE yields up to 35.9 % under specific temperature and solvent ratios. • SWE extracts show phenolic compounds as primary contributors to antioxidant properties. • High-pressure ethanol extraction is the most effective method for obtaining CBG.

Source: Industrial Crops and Products

DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.121950

Authors: Katja Schoss, Nina Kočevar Glavač

Institution: University of Ljubljana

Language: English

Topic: Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,720