Supercritical fluid technologies applied to the extraction of compounds of industrial interest from Cannabis sativa L. and to their pharmaceutical formulations: A review

In this work is proposed a critical review of the scientific literature about the extraction of products of industrial interest from Cannabis sativa L., like cannabinoids, essential oil and seed oil, using supercritical and subcritical CO2. Traditional techniques are also reviewed and critically discussed to evidence the advantages of CO2 processing. The extracts can be also used in pharmaceutical and biomedical formulations, in form of co-precipitates and capsules, to improve active compounds bioavailability and performance. Further studies can be required, mainly based on the analysis of mass transfer resistances during extraction and on solubility data of the compounds to be extracted, to improve process selectivity and the purity of the extracts obtained