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

SampleMoisture Level (wb)Experimental DetailsFindingsSourceInflorescence and leaves of hemp (three varieties: Pipeline, Maverick and Queen Dream CBD)Initial: 75–78%, Final: 9–13%Freeze drying, Ambient drying, Hot air drying, and Sequential infrared and hot air (SIRHA) drying Increased drying rate with the increasing of temperature Enhanced decarboxylation of CBDA from 0.2% to 14.1% and reduced terpene retention from 82.1% to 29.9% when the drying temperature increased from ambient to 90 °C SIRHA drying resulted in significant losses of CBD and terpene up to 16.2% and 72.3%, respectively [34]Hemp budsInitial: 65%, Final: 10%Freeze drying, Hot air drying, Non-isothermal (stepwise) drying Phytocannabinoids and drying time were significantly affected by drying techniques and conditions Drying temperatures over 40 °C significantly reduced terpene concentration, but no effect on the CBD level Decarboxylation (CBDA to CBD) increased with temperature and maximum at 70 °C Highest amount of CBD in non-isothermal drying samples [131]Inflorescences of medicinal cannabis (Cannabis sativa)Not mentionedSteam sterilization for 10s at 62.5°C, 15 s at 65 °C and 20 s at 70 °C Steaming caused minor reduction of terpenes and CBD (<20%) [134]Powder of Cannabis sativa seedsInitial: Not mentioned, Final: 3.5–5.1%In situ decarboxylation using pressurized hot water extraction technique at temperature (80 to 150 °C) for 5 to 60 min Decarboxylation to CBD and THC increased with time and temperature but THC decreased with time at 150 °C Optimal decarboxylation time and temperature were 42.2 min and 149.9 °C, respectively [135]Inflorescences of hemp cv Felina 32Not mentionedSteam distillation (SD) or hydro distillation (HD) of fresh sample; HD of ambiently dried inflorescences; HD of blended and powdered inflorescences; HD of powdered and heated (120 °C for 1, 3, or 6 min) inflorescences; HD of powdered and microwaved (900 and 450 W) inflorescences HD recovered higher cannabinoids over SD Pretreatments and drying triggered the cannabinoid profile; Microwave heating resulted almost double CBD MW heating for 1 min at 900 W was the most effective approach for the best quality products [49]Cannabis sativa inflorescence collected from upper, middle, and lower portion of stemNot mentionedSolvent extraction (ethanol, n-Hexane, mixture of hexane and ethanol (7:3, v:v)) of undried and dried (using gentle stream of nitrogen, vacuum dryer and rotary evaporator) Extraction ability of solvents: ethanol > n-hexane > hexane and ethanol solution Cannabinoid and terpene quantity was influenced by drying methods and declined as the sampled flower moved from upper to middle to lower [132]Inflorescences of Cannabis sativa (cultivars: Pink, RBS, RMS, and GSC)Not mentionedDried and irradiated with 5 kGy emitted from a 10 MeV accelerator Irradiation affected the THC and terpenes Except for RMS, three of the four cultivars examined showed a significant rise in THC levels Three of the four extracts studied had their anti-cancer capabilities modified after being irradiated [110]Two Cannabis sativa strains combined together, sieved through a 355-mm sieve, and homogenized (one strain contained primarily THCA/THC and the other contained CBDA/CBD).Not mentionedStored in 66-L microbiological incubators with ±0.2 °C consistency for up to 52 weeks at different temperature (20 °C, +4 °C, +20 °C, +32 °C, +37 °C, and +40 °C). Dry. Dry. Dry. [Google Scholar] Uline.ca.

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