Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) Extract: Anti-Microbial Properties,Methods of Extraction,and Potential Oral Delivery

ABSTRACT

The evolving public and regulatory outlook concerning the health and nutritional properties of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) products has prompted recent research to focus on developing new methods for isolation and oral delivery of bioactive constituents present in hemp extracts. While cannabinoid extracts derived from hemp are renowned for the psychoactive and medicinal properties of the cannabinoids; however, other functional properties attributed to the nutritional value of the hemp seed oil, and, the anti-microbial properties of hemp extract are often overlooked. Isolation of the bioactive compounds from hemp and conversion into products that can be useful for a variety of applications, ranging from nutritional supplements to antimicrobials, as well as new developments in the delivery of medicinal bioactives, are areas of considerable interest for both the cannabis and hemp industries. This review examines these topics and moreover, critiques methods used for the extraction of cannabinoids and hempseed oil bioactives. Finally, novel advances in technologies designed to use nano-carriers for oral delivery of cannabinoids are introduced with the goal to highlight the latest developments in hemp extract processing and delivery.