Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Technology for Recovering Valuable Phytochemicals from Cannabis sativa L. and Valorization of Its Biomass for Food Applications

Abstract

Supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction techniques meet all-new consumer market demands for health-promoting phytochemical compound-rich extracts produced from green and sustainable technology. In this regard, this review is dedicated to discussing is the promise of integrating high-pressure CO2 technologies into the Cannabis sativa L. processing chain to valorize its valuable pharmaceutical properties and food biomass. To do this, the cannabis plant, cannabinoids, and endocannabinoid system were reviewed to understand their therapeutic and side effects. The supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) technique was presented as a smart alternative to producing cannabis bioproducts. The impact of SFE operating conditions on cannabis compound extraction was examined for aerial parts (inflorescences, stems, and leaves), seeds, and byproducts. Furthermore, the opportunities of using non-thermal supercritical CO2 processing on cannabis biomass were addressed for industrial hemp valorization, focusing on its biorefinery to simultaneously produce cannabidiol and new ingredients for food applications as plant-based products.