Cannabinoid biosynthesis is a growing industry that uses simple living organisms to produce desired compounds at scale. These molecules can then be used in various recreational and health products. In addition to pharmaceuticals, cannabinoids have essential applications in multiple products, including food and beverages. This new process also improves the economics of cannabis-derived products and cannabinoid biosynthesis companies.
Extraction of cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L
The extraction of cannabinoids from cannabis is a complex process that requires the correct choice of solvent. Hydrocarbons such as n-butane or n-propane are suitable solvents for separating cannabinoids with low polarity. These solvents can be depressurized and then heated to remove the desired compound.
The chosen extraction method will determine the concentration and yield of the extracted compounds. It will also affect the therapeutic potential of the extracts. Drying methods include oven-drying or hang-drying. Drying cannabis under low humidity and moving air increases the yield of the section. However, this method decreases the amount of neutral and readily volatile compounds.
Another method involves using a soxhlet apparatus. This apparatus utilizes a siphon to aspirate and discharge the extraction solution. This process can be repeated several times. In addition to using a solvent, extractors can use a bulk liquid to extract the cannabinoids. Various types of organic solvents can be used in extraction, with ethanol being the best-yielding solvent.
The extraction yields from the various extraction methods were compared. Propane extraction yielded the highest cannabinoid content, while isopropanol and hexanes produced the lowest yields. This was likely due to the high amount of non-cannabinoid content co-extracted with the solvent. However, the UAE process retained almost all the cannabinoids, allowing it to be used as a conditioning step for other conventional extraction methods.
Production of cannabinoids by enzyme-catalyzed process
Enzymes are involved in the biosynthesis of cannabinoids. To produce cannabinoids, enzymes need a substrate that contains amino acids. Enzymes for cannabinoid synthesis are synthesized from bioengineered E. coli, and the end products are cannabinoids or other cannabinoids.
Enzymes-catalyzed biosynthesis involves multiple steps in forming complex compounds from simple molecules. The process is highly complex and involves several cellular organelles and biosynthetic pathways. The process can produce the precious compounds CBD and THC from hemp plants. But if enzyme-catalyzed biosynthesis is not viable for farmers, they can still produce cannabinoids in other ways.
Cannabinoids are synthesized in the glandular trichomes of plants. These glands are present on leaves, bracts, and anther lobes. These glands are divided into two types: bulbous and sessile. The bulbous ones are smaller than the sessile ones and possess a globular head with a multicellular disc of secretory cells.
Two different enzymes can catalyze enzymes for cannabinoid biosynthesis. The first enzyme, aromatic prenyltransferase, catalyzes the addition of geranyl pyrophosphate. The second enzyme, geranyl pyrophosphate synthase, catalyzes geranyl pyrophosphate to form cannabigerolic acid.
Enzyme-catalyzed cannabinoid biosynthesis requires a reliable biological system. Co-expression of all genes is crucial for the successful production of cannabinoids. The enzymes must be able to utilize specific starter molecules, which can be found in different plant sources. Cannabis sativa, Rhododendron dauricum, and Radula marginata are known biosynthetic gene sources. Enzyme-catalyzed cannabinoids may be produced using a synthetic biology approach. However, the method requires enzyme engineering to avoid autotoxicity due to the accumulation of intermediates.
Large-scale production of cannabinoids
The large-scale production of cannabinol is a potential game changer for the cannabis industry. OrganiGram and Hyasynth have joined forces to develop bio-fermentation techniques to produce cannabidiol. The companies’ CEOs both acknowledge a market for premium cannabis flowers and believe that bio-fermentation is a critical component in commercializing these products. OrganiGram’s CEO also said that the ability to produce cannabinoids at a large scale could revolutionize the cannabis industry.
Amyris Chemicals is a biotechnology company with a track record of developing chemicals for the food, beverage, and cosmetics industries. It recently announced a collaboration with a company focused on cannabinoids, valued at up to $255 million. Another biotech company, Cronos Group, captured the attention of investors in December when Altria purchased a 45% stake in Cronos.
Hyasynth’s process can be completed in less than a week, 12 times faster than the cannabis plant can produce the compounds. In addition to being more efficient than growing the plants, the fermentation process also produces pesticide-free, natural ingredients. Hyacinth’s technology can be scaled through existing fermentation facilities around the world. Moreover, it can be used to produce rare cannabinoids.
Bioengineering is a popular approach for developing synthetic compounds. Using genetically modified yeast, scientists can engineer the yeast’s metabolism to produce specific compounds. For instance, the researchers use a yeast strain that produces CBD from galactose.
