Cannabis sativa bioactive compounds and their extraction, separation, purification, and identification technologies: An updated review

Cannabis sativa (C. sativa) has become a worldwide plant because of its multiple bioactive compounds with a wide range of health benefits for humans. Notably, some cannabinoid-like compounds have also been found in other plant species besides C. sativa. However, efficient extraction, separation, purification, and identification technologies for bioactive compounds in C. sativa are still great challenges. This review provides an updated overview of the main bioactive compounds in C. sativa and the cannabinoid-like compounds in other plants. In addition, various advanced technologies for extracting, separating, purifying, and identifying the bioactive compounds in C. sativa are mainly summarized, compared, and discussed. Overall, this review can provide scientific basis and technical support for the efficient extraction, separation, purification, and identification of C. sativa bioactive compounds, which have the potential to be widely applied in the food, medical, nutraceutical, and beauty products.