Cannabis sativa L. is a globally cultivated plant with significant industrial, nutritional, and medicinal value. Its genome, comprising nine autosomes and sex chromosomes (X and Y), has been extensively studied, particularly in the context of precise breeding for specific enduses. Recent advances have facilitated genome-wide analyses through platforms like the NCBI Comparative Genome Viewer (CGV) and CannabisGDB, among others, enabling comparative studies across multiple Cannabis genotypes. Despite the abundance of genomic data, a particular group of transposable elements, known as miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs), remains underexplored in Cannabis. These elements are non-autonomous class II DNA transposons characterized by high copy numbers and insertion preference in non-coding regions, potentially affecting gene expression. In the present study, we report the sequence annotation of MITEs in wild-type and domesticated Cannabis genomes obtained using the MITE Tracker software. We also develop a simple and innovative protocol to identify genome-specific MITE families, offering valuable tools for future research on marker development focused on important genetic variation for breeding in Cannabis sativa.

Cannabis sativa L. is a globally cultivated plant with significant industrial, nutritional, and medicinal value. Its genome, comprising nine autosomes and sex chromosomes (X and Y), has been extensively studied, particularly in the context of precise breeding for specific enduses. Recent advances have facilitated genome-wide analyses through platforms like the NCBI Comparative Genome Viewer (CGV) and CannabisGDB, enabling comparative studies across multiple Cannabis genotypes. Despite the abundance of genomic data, a particular group of transposable elements, known as miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs), remains underexplored in Cannabis. MITEs are non-autonomous Class II DNA transposons characterized by high copy numbers and insertion preference in non-coding regions, potentially affecting gene expression. In the present study, we report the sequence annotation of MITEs in wild-type and domesticated Cannabis genomes. Interestingly, different patterns of MITE distribution in wild and domesticated Cannabis genomes at chromosome level findings were identified. We also developed a simple and innovative protocol to identify genome-specific MITE families offering valuable tools for future research on marker development focused on important genetic variation for breeding in Cannabis sativa.

Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid of Cannabis sativa, is highly lipophilic and poorly water-soluble. We developed chitosan-coated lipid nanocapsules (NCs) loaded with a CBD-rich Cannabis sativa ethanolic extract (CEE), using medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil or olive oil as the lipid core and optimizing them with a Box–Behnken design; oil and Tween^® 80 volumes mainly determined hydrodynamic diameter and polydispersity. The optimized MCT oil and olive oil NCs had hydrodynamic diameters of 206.9 and 231.2 nm, PDI values of 0.130 and 0.196, zeta potentials of about +31 and +33 mV, and CBD encapsulation efficiencies above 85%. ATR-FTIR suggested different lipid organization and CBD environments in each core, while confocal microscopy located the CBD-reactive signal in the oil phase without resolving the core from the interface. MCT oil NCs retained more CBD at room temperature, but differences under other conditions were small, and the extract dissolved in the same oils behaved similarly, indicating a major contribution of the oil vehicle. Both NCs retained CBD between pH 5.5 and 7.4 and could be redispersed after freeze-drying. In a preliminary chikungunya virus assay, CEE-loaded NCs inhibited the cytopathic effect by 34–45% at non-cytotoxic concentrations, but free CEE in oil was at least as active.