Antibacterial activity of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) female inflorescence and root extract against Paenibacillus larvae, causal agent of American foulbrood

Paenibacillus larvae is a gram-positive bacterium, and the etiologic agent of American Foulbrood (AFB), a disease that affects honey bee larvae. In the search for natural products capable of controlling the disease, we tested the antibacterial activity of inflorescences and roots extracts of Cannabis (Cannabis sativa l) against P. larvae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus using the microdilution broth method. We chemically characterized the extracts by the content of polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, and volatile compounds, and analyzed the antioxidant capacity. Finally, their possible toxic effect on bee larvae was evaluated. Our research showed differences in the chemical composition between flower and root extracts as well as in their antioxidant potential; high potency and efficacy against (AFB) in vitro, but low toxicity to honey bee larvae. •Cannabis sativa extracts show in vitro bactericidal activity against P. larvae, E. coli and S. aureus.•Cannabis extracts present low to null lethality on honeybee larvae.•Cannabis extracts with high concentrations of terpenoids and cannabinoids present a more efficient antibacterial capacity.•Cannabis roots present triterpenoid compounds, plausible of having interesting biological properties.