## 4 Stability of _C. sativa_ L. Aroma and Flavor Compounds
### Preservation Strategies  
Given the volatility and reactivity of compounds influencing aroma and flavor perception, effective preservation strategies are necessary to maintain their stability and potency over time. Controlled storage conditions can help preserve the _C. sativa_ L. aroma and flavor. For example, a novel packaging method using external terpenes and airtight storage demonstrated the effective preservation and enhancement of the terpene content in cannabis infloresc [100]. Headspace gas chromatography mass spectroscopy was used to confirm improved profiles over extended durations. To properly store cannabis, it should be kept in airtight, opaque containers to minimize exposure to light and oxygen. Ideally, it should be stored under low-temperature conditions (preferably below 25 \({}^{\circ}\)C) with low humidity levels (approximately 50-60%), both of which help to slow down the degradation processes. Refrigeration or freezing can preserve terpenes by slowing down volatilization and chemical reactions. However, freezing must be carefully managed to avoid structural damage to cannabis trichomes, which contain most terpenes [103]. Removing oxygen from storage environments through vacuum sealing or replacing it with inert gases, such as nitrogen, can significantly reduce oxidative degradation. These methods are commonly used for long-term storage and transport.  
Freeze-drying, or lyophilization, is an advanced drying technique that enhances the preservation of cannabinoids and terpenes while preventing microbial contamination. Unlike traditional drying methods, which rely on heat and extended exposure to air, freeze-drying rapidly freezes cannabis and removes moisture through sublimation under vacuum conditions. Research has demonstrated that this method significantly improves the retention of key cannabinoids such as cannabidiolic acid, cannabigerolic acid, and cannabigerol, potentially increasing their concentrations up to threefold compared to fresh plant material [104]. Furthermore, freeze-drying minimizes terpene loss, preserving the plant's aromatic profile more effectively than conventional drying [105]. Studies using advanced analytical techniques such as solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirm that freeze-drying maintains a more stable phytochemical composition, making it an optimal method for high-quality cannabis processing [106]. Considering its superior ability to retain bioactive compounds, freeze-drying is increasingly being adopted for pharmaceutical and commercial cannabis applications.  
Emerging technologies such as microencapsulation or nanoencapsulation involve embedding terpen in protective carriers like lipids or polymers. These techniques shield terpen from environmental stressors and allow for controlled release, extending the shelf life and maintaining the aroma intensity [107]. The addition of natural or synthetic antioxidants, such as vitamin E or butylated hydroxytoluene, to cannabis products inhibits oxidative reactions, thereby preserving the terpene content and aromatic integrity [108].