Ultrasound-assisted extraction of phytocannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. An update

Sarker, S ORCID: 0000-0003-4038-0514 and Nahar, L ORCID: 0000-0002-1157-2405 (2026) Ultrasound-assisted extraction of phytocannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. An update. Journal of Natural Products Discovery, 5 (2). ISSN 2755-1997

Preview

Text JNPD_Cannabis_UAE2026.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

Introduction: Phytocannabinoids are phytochemicals that bind to cannabinoid receptors and display pharmacological properties like those of Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae). Among well over 100 structurally related phytocannabinoids produced by C. sativa, cannabidiol (CBD) and D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC or THC) are the two major ones. With the continuing drive for applying green, environmentally friendly, high-yielding, and simple technology for extracting phytocannabinoids, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) has emerged as one of the most popular techniques.

Objectives: To provide an overview of UAE methods for phytocannabinoids extraction from C. sativa and its products published during 2021-25.

Material and methods: Information was obtained from Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Cannabis sativa, ultrasound-assisted extraction, cannabinoid, and phytocannabinoid were used as the search terms. Only the journal articles, books, and book chapters published on the review topic during 2021-25 are included, and any doctoral theses or conference abstracts are excluded from this review.

Results: During 2021-25, there were at least 26 publications on the use of UAE for extracting phytocannabinoids from the aerial parts, flowers and inflorescences, leaves, roots, and seeds of C. sativa plant as well as C. sativa-based products. Various phytocannabinoids, e.g., CBC, CBCA, CBCV, CBD, CBDA, CBD-C4, CBDA-C4, CBDP, CBDV, CBDVA, CBG, CBGA, CBN, CBNA, THC, THCA, 11-THC-OH, 11-THC-COOH, THCV, and THCVA were successfully extracted by UAE. Ethanol and methanol were the most used solvents for UAE of phytocannabinoids. However, the use of other solvents like acetonitrile and chloroform, olive oil, and eutectic solvents was also observed.

Conclusion: UAE is an excellent green extraction technique for extracting phytocannabinoids from C. sativa with a high extraction yield.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QK Botany R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology R Medicine > RS Pharmacy and materia medica
Divisions:	Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Publisher:	Liverpool John Moores University
Date of acceptance:	5 June 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	11 June 2026
Date Deposited:	11 Jun 2026 08:40
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2026 08:40
DOI or ID number:	doi.org/10.24377/jnpd.article3676
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28803

View Item