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. 2025 Feb 7:16:1495779.
doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1495779. eCollection 2025.

Optimization of extraction and enrichment process of cannabidiol from industrial hemp and evaluation of its bioactivity

Junkai Wu  1 , Xiaomeng Zhang  2 , Xiaoqing Liu  2 , Zunlai Sheng  2   3 , Jianping Hu  1 , Feiyan Zhang  1
Affiliations

Optimization of extraction and enrichment process of cannabidiol from industrial hemp and evaluation of its bioactivity

Junkai Wu et al. Front Plant Sci. .

Abstract

Introduction: The Cannabis Sativa L., a perennial dioecious herb renowned for its industrial applications, serves as the source of hemp. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic compound derived from industrial hemp, has garnered considerable interest due to its promising therapeutic potential.

Methods: The extraction parameters for CBD from industrial hemp were optimized using the Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology (RSM). The purification process involved characterizing the penetration and desorption profiles of CBD on HPD-100 resin. The in vitro antibacterial activity was assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Antioxidant properties were evaluated using DPPH and ABTS assays, as well as an iron-reducing ability test.

Results: After optimization, the extraction rate of CBD reached 0.26 ± 0.02%. The use of HP-100 resin in the purification process resulted in a significant enrichment of CBD content, which was 4.2 times higher than that of the crude extract, with a recovery rate of 83.13%. The MIC against S. aureus was found to be 5 mg/mL, while no inhibitory effect was observed against E. coli. The IC50 values for the DPPH and ABTS assays were 0.1875 mg/mL and 2.988 mg/mL, respectively, indicating the potent antioxidant capacity of CBD. Additionally, CBD demonstrated a strong iron-reducing ability.

Conclusion: These findings contribute to the development of CBD for broader applications in various industries, highlighting its potential as a valuable compound in health and wellness sectors.

Keywords: bioactivity evaluation; cannabidiol; enrichment process; extraction process; industrial hemp.

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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
The effect of different extraction parameters on extraction yield of CBD. (A) Extraction time, (B) extraction temperature, (C) ethanol concentration, (D) liquid to solid ratio, (E) extraction cycles. Significant differences extraction parameters on extraction yield of CBD are indicated by different letters. Significance level was set as p < 0.05.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Response surface (3D) and contour plots (2D) depicting the effect of various extraction parameters (X1: extraction time, min; X2: extraction temperature, °C; X3: ethanol concentration, % and X4: the liquid to solid ratio, mL/g) on response Y. (A–F) corresponds to the different combinations of extraction time and liquid-to-solid ratio, extraction temperature and ethanol concentration, respectively.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Evaluation of static adsorption, desorption capacities, and desorption ratios for CBD using ten different resins.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Kinetics profile of CBD adsorption onto HPD-100 resin.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Adsorption isotherms of CBD on HPD-100 resin at temperatures of 25°C, 35°C, and 45°C.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Dynamic breakthrough curves for CBD adsorption on HPD-100 resin.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Comparative analysis of DPPH radical scavenging activity (A), ABTS radical scavenging activity (B), and reducing power (C) between CBD-enriched extracts and Vc.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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