Enhanced nutraceutical potential of cannabidiol derived from industrial hemp using plant based complex coacervates

Cannabidiol (CBD) from industrial hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) is a highly promising bioactive compounds with multifarious health benefits. However, its poor chemical stability during storage and digestion and low bioavailability impedes its potential food and pharmaceutical applications. Hence, this research investigated the potential of hemp protein isolate–gum Arabic (HPI–GA) complex coacervates in improving the storage stability, lipid digestibility, and bioaccessibility of CBD. State diagram and charge analysis confirmed the complex coacervate formation between HPI and GA at a 5:1 mixing ratio and pH 3. These HPI–GA complex coacervates were utilized for encapsulating CBD at varying wall-to-core ratios (6:1, 8:1, and 10:1), and their performance was compared to controls. The HPI–GA coacervates exhibited significantly higher encapsulation efficiency compared to the controls, reaching up to 91.85 % with an increasing wall-to-core ratio. As revealed by SEM and CLSM, coacervate-derived spray-dried microcapsules displayed larger particle sizes, minimal surface CBD content, and a uniform spherical shape than controls. These properties allowed the coacervates to effectively maintain the chemical stability of CBD for 75 days under light and temperature exposure (25 or 40°C). The INFOGEST gastrointestinal stimulation digestion results revealed that HPI–GA coacervates could retain the chemical stability of CBD, release free fatty acids in a controlled manner, and consequently increase the bioaccessibility of CBD up to 61.04 %. These findings indicate that the chemical stability and bioavailability of CBD could be improved using HPI–GA complex coacervation. The gleaned results from this research would facilitate the development of CBD-based functional foods and pharmaceuticals. • Hemp protein isolate–gum Arabic (HPI–GA) complex coacervates were formed at pH 3. • Hemp cannabidiol (CBD) was successfully encapsulated in complex coacervates. • HPI–GA coacervates enhanced the chemical stability of CBD over 3 months. • Free fatty acids followed a controlled release pattern from coacervate capsules. • HPI–GA complex coacervates improved the bioaccessibility of CBD to 61.04 %.