Cannabidiol

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a pure phytocannabinoid compound (molecular formula C21H30O2, MW 314.46 g/mol), not a food ingredient with classical macronutrient or micronutrient content. As an isolated compound, it contains no protein, carbohydrates, fiber, or minerals. Key physicochemical and bioactive properties: CBD concentration in pharmaceutical-grade isolate is ≥98% purity (e.g., Epidiolex contains 100mg/mL CBD in sesame oil with ethanol and strawberry flavoring as excipients). In hemp-derived full-spectrum extracts, CBD typically ranges from 2–20% by dry weight depending on cultivar. Bioactive compound profile: CBD itself is the primary active molecule; full-spectrum preparations also contain minor cannabinoids (CBG ~0.1–1%, CBN trace amounts, CBDV trace), terpenes (myrcene, limonene, linalool at 0.1–0.5% collectively), and flavonoids (cannflavin A and B, apigenin at trace levels <0.1%). Fat content: CBD isolate is lipophilic (log P ≈ 6.3), requiring a lipid carrier for formulation; sesame oil-based formulations contain approximately 79% unsaturated fatty acids (oleic ~40%, linoleic ~38%). Bioavailability is highly route-dependent: oral bioavailability is low at 6–19% due to extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism (CYP3A4, CYP2C19); sublingual administration improves bioavailability marginally to ~12–35%; inhalation yields highest bioavailability at 31–56% with Tmax ~3–10 minutes; lipid co-administration increases oral absorption by approximately 3-fold (Cmax increases from ~0.8 ng/mL to ~2.5 ng/mL at 10mg/kg dose). Half-life is 18–32 hours with chronic dosing. Protein binding is >94% (primarily albumin and lipoproteins). No significant vitamin or mineral content in isolated form.