Postharvest Operations of Cannabis and Their Effect on Cannabinoid Content: A Review

Abstract

In recent years, cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) has been legalized by many countries for production, processing, and use considering its tremendous medical and industrial applications. Cannabis contains more than a hundred biomolecules (cannabinoids) which have the potentiality to cure different chronic diseases. After harvesting, cannabis undergoes different postharvest operations including drying, curing, storage, etc. Presently, the cannabis industry relies on different traditional postharvest operations, which may result in an inconsistent quality of products. In this review, we aimed to describe the biosynthesis process of major cannabinoids, postharvest operations used by the cannabis industry, and the consequences of postharvest operations on the cannabinoid profile. As drying is the most important post-harvest operation of cannabis, the attributes associated with drying (water activity, equilibrium moisture content, sorption isotherms, etc.) and the significance of novel pre-treatments (microwave heating, cold plasma, ultrasound, pulse electric, irradiation, etc.) for improvement of the process are thoroughly discussed. Additionally, other operations, such as trimming, curing, packaging and storage, are discussed, and the effect of the different postharvest operations on the cannabinoid yield is summarized. A critical investigation of the factors involved in each postharvest operation is indeed key for obtaining quality products and for the sustainable development of the cannabis industry.

Human olfactory discrimination of genetic variation within Cannabis strains

“…Samples were stored frozen to reduce heat-induced evaporation and oxidation of the volatile components that are the basis of Cannabis aroma. Benefits of low temperature storage have been demonstrated for moisture content and cannabinoid concentrations and likely apply to terpenes and terpenoids as well ( Das et al, 2022 ; Meija et al, 2022 ). The stimuli were exchanged for fresh samples midway through the study.…”

Evaluation of Different Techniques to Decontaminate Medical Cannabis and Their Effect on Cannabinoid Content

“…36−38 CP has been investigated for enhancement of the drying efficiency and quality of different foods, medicinal plants, and herbs. 39 The direct mechanism of inactivation of fungi using CP has still not been completely unraveled. A scanning electron microscopy examination of plasma posttreated Cordyceps bassiana spores revealed dried, cracked, and flattened propagules, indicating that CP treatment may cause cell wall leakage and destruction, resulting in reduced cell viability.…”

“…Biosynthesis of primary cannabinoids in cannabis (adapted from ref ). Abbreviations: CBGA, cannabigerolic acid; CBG, cannabigerol; CBDA, cannabidiolic acid; CBD, cannabidiol; THCA, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid; Δ 9 -THC, tetrahydrocannabinol.…”

“…Research showed that, at a high concentration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibit cell proliferation and cause apoptosis . Recently, CP sterilization has shown a great potential in various medical applications, such as surface sterilization and sterilization of damaged tissues. − CP has been investigated for enhancement of the drying efficiency and quality of different foods, medicinal plants, and herbs . The direct mechanism of inactivation of fungi using CP has still not been completely unraveled.…”

Relationship between Total Antioxidant Capacity, Cannabinoids and Terpenoids in Hops and Cannabis

“…Plant secondary metabolite biosynthesis and antioxidant activity can be disrupted and altered during postharvest storage and drying [ 45 , 46 , 47 ]. Storage studies by Grafström et al (2019) over four years showed that CBD is not prone to oxidative degradation and is stable over time, while decarboxylation of THCA to THC which occurs in stored plant material is increased by the presence of oxygen and higher temperatures [ 48 , 49 ]. Specifically, THC concentrations markedly increase from 1.5% to 2.1%, 12.3% and 12.8% when stored at 50 °C, 100 °C, and 150 °C, respectively, due to THCA decarboxylation [ 45 ].…”