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. 2022 May 2:9:892314.
doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.892314. eCollection 2022.

Extraction of Bioactive Compounds From Cannabis sativa L. Flowers and/or Leaves Using Deep Eutectic Solvents

Francisco J Tiago  1 , Alexandre Paiva  1   2 , Ana A Matias  3 , Ana Rita C Duarte  1   2
Affiliations

Extraction of Bioactive Compounds From Cannabis sativa L. Flowers and/or Leaves Using Deep Eutectic Solvents

Francisco J Tiago et al. Front Nutr. .

Abstract

The increasing demand for medical cannabis urges the development of new and effective methods for the extraction of phytocannabinoids. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are an alternative to the use of hazardous organic solvents typically used in the industry. In this study, hydrophilic and hydrophobic DESs were developed based on terpenes, sugars, and natural organic acids as green extraction media for the extraction of cannabis bioactive compounds. The factors influencing the extraction of bioactive components, such as the type of DESs and extraction time, were investigated. Initial screening in hemp showed that the DES composed of Men: Lau (a 2:1-M ratio) had a greater extraction efficiency of cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) (11.07 ± 0.37 mg/g) of all the tested DESs and higher than ethanol. Besides having a higher or equivalent extraction yield as the organic solvents tested, DESs showed to be more selective, extracting fewer impurities, such as chlorophyll and waxes. These results, coupled with the non-toxic, biodegradable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly characteristics of DESs, provide strong evidence that DESs represent a better alternative to organic solvents.

Keywords: Cannabis sativa; cannabinoids; deep eutectic solvents; green extraction; plant extracts.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Extraction of CBD + CBDA from the hemp using different DESs. The extraction conditions were as follows: 60°C, 90 min, and a 1:10 solid-liquid ratio (w/w). The symbol * means that there are statistical differences between Men:Lau and EtOH.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Effect of time in CBD + CBDA extraction. Extraction conditions were 60°C, a 1:10 solid-liquid ratio.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Total phenolic content related to the different solvents tested and expressed in mg GAE/g hemp (extraction conditions: 60°C, 90 min, and a 1:10 S/L ratio).
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Total flavonoid content related to the different solvents tested and expressed in mg QE/g hemp (extraction conditions: 60°C, 90 min, and a 1:10 S/L ratio).
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Results of wax quantification (%) of hemp extracts related to the different extraction solvents.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Quantification of the total chlorophyll (μg/g extract) present in the obtained hemp extracts before and after winterization.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Solubility of CBD + CBDA (mg/L) in PBS at 37°C.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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