Yield, Characterization and Possible Exploitation of Cannabis Sativa L. Roots Grown Under Aeroponics Cultivation

The study "Yield, Characterization and Possible Exploitation of Cannabis Sativa L. Roots Grown Under Aeroponics Cultivation" explored the potential of Cannabis Sativa roots, which have been under-studied despite their potential therapeutic benefits. The researchers identified and quantified valuable bioactives in the root extracts, including β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, friedelin, and epi-friedelanol. They used aeroponic (AP) and aeroponic elicited cultures (AEP) for cultivation and compared these to soil-cultivated plants (SP). The AP and AEP methods resulted in significant plant overgrowth, particularly of the roots, and up to a 20-fold increase in the total content of the roots' bioactive molecules compared to SP. The study concluded that aeroponics, a standardized, contaminant-free cultivation technique, facilitates easier harvesting and processing of roots and increases the production of their secondary bioactive metabolites, which could be used in health-promoting and healthcare products.