Characterization and Biological Activity of Fiber-Type Cannabis sativa L. Aerial Parts at Different Growth Stages

Abstract

Currently, there is a renewed interest in cannabis-related products in different fields because of the rich phytocomplex of this plant, together with its fiber and agricultural features. In this context, the current study aims to chemically characterize different samples of fiber-type Cannabis sativa L. grown in Italy as a potential health promoting source. An ultrasound-assisted solid-liquid extraction (UA-SLE) method was first developed and optimized to obtain a fingerprinting of the investigated phytocomplex. Analyses were carried out through an ultra high performance liquid chromatography equipped with a photodiode array detector in series with triple quadrupole system with an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface (UHPLC-UV-ESI-MS/MS) and showed that the phytocomplex mainly includes flavonoids and non-psychotomimetic cannabinoids. The method was then applied to characterize and compare 24 samples of fiber-type Cannabis sativa L. aerial parts (mainly stems and leaves), which differed for the growth stages (from mid-vegetative to early flowering), growth land plots, and methods of drying (forced-draft oven or freeze-drying). The quali-quantitative analysis showed that a freeze-drying method seems to better preserve the chemical composition of the samples, while the location of the land plot and the growth stage of the plant (which did not comprise inflorescences) had minor influences on the chemical pattern. These results were also supported by spectrophotometric in-vitro assays (scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulphonate (ABTS+•) radicals and inhibitory activity against tyrosinase and elastase enzymes) to investigate the potential biological activity of these samples and the contribution of non-psychotomimetic cannabinoids.

Effect of harvest time on the compositional changes in essential oils, cannabinoids, and waxes of hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.)

“…This observation is consistent with the reports from Mastellone et al . that indicated the cannabinoid content from the stem of Cannabis sativa L. was independent of the growth stage of harvesting and the content showed a slight increase at the stage closer to flowering [11]. Free fatty acid (FFA) composition in the hemp was consistent with previous studies [42], which highlighted that palmitic acid was the most abundant FFA, followed by oleic acid and stearic acid.…”

“…9: 211699 compared with the tops and the growth stage of the plant had only a minor influence on the cannabinoid content (around 202-253 µg g −1 of biomass for different harvest stages), with a slight increase at the second harvest stage (bud stage, 253 µg g −1 of biomass). This observation is consistent with the reports from Mastellone et al that indicated the cannabinoid content from the stem of Cannabis sativa L. was independent of the growth stage of harvesting and the content showed a slight increase at the stage closer to flowering [11]. Free fatty acid (FFA) composition in the hemp was consistent with previous studies [42], which highlighted that palmitic acid was the most abundant FFA, followed by oleic acid and stearic acid.…”

“…Different parts of hemp, including stems, leaves, inflorescences, and seeds, are the sources of numerous chemicals such as terpenes, carbohydrates, fatty acids, phytochemicals, phenolic compounds, and cannabinoids that have been linked to health-promoting properties [11]. The stem is normally used in textile and paper productions and also used as animal feed due to its cellulose and woody fibres, while the leaf is considered as waste in the fibre industry [11]. The tops or inflorescence are the parts of the plant that contain essential oils, in particular myrcene, which is used in the perfume industry [12].…”

New Class of Tunable Choline Bromide-Based Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvents for the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds of Varying Polarity from a Plant Matrix

“…sativa L. were chosen due to the rich phytocomplex comprising several classes of non-volatile bioactive compounds. As reported by the authors, the main phytochemicals identified in this matrix were flavonoid glycosides and non-psychotomimetic cannabinoid acids. Previous studies on neutral HDESs composed of terpenoids compounds of natural origin have highlighted that these solvents were capable of extracting cannabinoid compounds but less effective in the enrichment of the flavonoid fraction …”

The Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Potential of Leaves and Inflorescences Extracts of Selected Hemp Varieties Obtained with scCO2

“…There are also other studies in the literature presenting the antioxidant potential of the cannabis plant. In a study by Mastellone et al, the fiber-type Cannabis sativa L. plant material was extracted with methanol and acetone by ultrasound-assisted extraction; subsequently, both of the extracts were tested for antioxidant properties with the use of the ABTS and DPPH assays [80]. Methanol extract showed a stronger antioxidant potential than acetone.…”