POST-HARVEST DRYING OF Cannabis sativa L. FLOWERS AND ITS IMPACT ON THE PRESERVATION AND EXTRACTION OF BIOACTIVE PHYTOCHEMICALS

Abstract

Drying is one of the most critical post-harvest operations in cannabis processing (Nakra et al., 2025; Das et al., 2022) because it directly influences microbiological stability, phytochemical preservation, storage behavior, and downstream extraction performance. Cannabis spp. inflorescences contain high initial moisture levels and a complex mixture of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds that are highly sensitive to environmental conditions during post-harvest handling. Improper drying may result in microbial contamination, terpene volatilization, cannabinoid degradation, structural damage to glandular trichomes, and reduced extraction efficiency. Environmental parameters including temperature, relative humidity, airflow velocity, and drying duration strongly influence moisture migration kinetics and overall flower quality. This review evaluates the influence of drying technologies and drying conditions on the physicochemical properties of Cannabis sativa L. inflorescences with emphasis on cannabinoid stability, terpene preservation, structural changes of plant tissues, and extraction performance. Particular attention is given to controlled tray drying systems because of their increasing relevance in standardized cannabis processing operations. The review additionally discusses moisture migration mechanisms, drying kinetics, residual moisture behavior, and non-invasive monitoring approaches based on weight reduction during drying. Current challenges and future perspectives for optimization of cannabis drying methodologies are also discussed.