CBD Oil Can Prolong Produce Shelf Life

A new study conducted by a group of researchers at the University of South Florida discovered that CBD, the non-intoxicating cannabinoid, can help keep strawberries fresh by limiting the growth of mold and other microbes.

The study, which was published in the journal Postharvest Biology and Technology, has reported how dumping CBD oil on strawberries can extend their shelf life and limit the growth of mold and other microbes. The researchers evaluated the antimicrobial effects of CBD by dousing strawberries in CBD oil after they were harvested.

During the research, strawberries were evaluated for visual quality and microbial load before and after exposure to CBD oil. It was stated in the paper’s abstract that “Results from this study showed that CBD oil was effective at maintaining the visual appearance of strawberries…compared to the fruit that was not treated.”

The researchers also discovered a significant reduction in the fruits' microbial load after being exposed to CBD oil. After all microbial evaluation, it was concluded that CBD oil inhibited yeast growth and mold on strawberries. It also improved their overall quality when compared to fruits not treated with CBD oil.

Although the present study only evaluated the antimicrobial potential of CBD on improving the shelf-life of strawberries, the finding is an indication that CBD oil may hold the key to reducing the microbial load of fresh produce. To evaluate the CBD oil effect on the stored fruits, the researchers kept the cannabinoid-treated fruit at 1 degrees Celsius for 8 days and 10 degrees Celsius for up to 8 days. The result later revealed that CBD oil could be utilized as an antimicrobial treatment for extending the shelf-life of fruits.

This is not the only unexpected benefit of CBD, as researchers have also highlighted the compound's ability to serve as a mouthwash. The CBD-infused mouthwash performed excellently in the research.

As excellent as these research results may sound, there are still uncertainties in its utilization since the Federal regulations for the cannabis compound as a food additive are still under review. For now, the findings will remain as subjects of research studies and debates on the safety profile of CBD oil and other CBD products. At the moment, the FDA is evaluating the issuance of a risk-based enforcement policy that will provide greater transparency and clarity regarding the factors FDA intends to take into cognizance in prioritizing enforcement decisions.

Conclusion

CBD has excellent antimicrobial, antidepressant, anticancer, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that, if properly utilized, can improve general wellbeing. Its non-intoxicating nature and ability to interact with the cannabinoid receptors in the body and reduce the growth of microbes on stored fruits are highly commendable. With more research studies and information from experts, CBD may sooner or later become legalized, thus improving its use and acceptance.

Let us know if you have any questions about CBD oil and its antimicrobial profile. We will love to hear from you soon.