Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Biosynthesis of Phytocannabinoids and Structural Insights: A Review
Rasiravathanahalli Kaveriyappan Govindarajan1, Awdhesh Kumar Mishra1, Kiu-Hyung Cho2
1Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Cannabis belongs to the family Cannabaceae, and phytocannabinoids are produced by the Cannabis sativa L. plant. A long-standing debate regarding the plant is whether it contains one or more species. Phytocannabinoids are bioactive natural products found in flowers, seeds, and fruits. They can be beneficial for treating human diseases (such as multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy, and pain), the cellular metabolic process, and regulating biological function systems. In addition, several phytocannabinoids are used in various therapeutic and pharmaceutical applications. This study provides an overview of the different sources of phytocannabinoids; further, the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds involving various pathways is elucidated. The structural classification of phytocannabinoids is based on their decorated resorcinol core and the bioactivities of naturally occurring cannabinoids. Furthermore, phytocannabinoids have been studied in terms of their role in animal models and antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi; further, they show potential for therapeutic applications and are used in treating various human diseases. Overall, this review can help deepen the current understanding of the role of biotechnological approaches and the importance of phytocannabinoids in different industrial applications.
Related Concept Videos
The Phragmoplast
The...
Aromatic Compounds: Overview
In 1825, Faraday isolated benzene...
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
Biosynthesis in Bacteria
Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids
Biosynthesis of Lipids

