Cannabis sativa: volatile compounds from pollen and entire male and female plants of two variants, Northern Lights and Hawaian Indica

Abstract

Sixty-eight compounds were identified by coupled gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in the chemosphere of Cannabis sativa L. pollen and entire male and female plants of two cultivated varieties, Northern Lights and Hawaian Indica. Twenty-one and 28 substances, respectively, were present in pollen of the two forms. To conserve the natural composition of volatiles a delicate headspace method was employed. The two varieties represent different chemotypes which distinguish themselves, in the main quantitatively, in the setup of volatiles from pollen and entire male and female plants. Twenty compounds were monoterpenes, including the five major components: bmyrcene (E)-b-ocimene, terpinolene, b-pinene and limonene; 25 were sesquiterpenes, and the other 23 were of mixed biogenetic origin, including 3-methyl-1-butanol and benzylalcohol which occurred only in pollen; two pyrazines occurred only in Northern Lights females. Besides being of interest in natural products chemistry, the results should have relevance for plant systematics and for the pharmaceutical and technical applications of Cannabis. We demonstrate that the pollen has a distinct chemical character in possessing two exclusive volatiles, while lacking seven compounds occurring in males and females of both variants.

Effects of abscisic acid on content and biosynthesis of terpenoids in Cannabis sativa at vegetative stage

“…The percentage of cannabichromene and cannabinol increased when plants were treated with ABA. The most of these components had been reported in previous investigations (Rodriguez et al 1996, Rothschild et al 2005, except of verbenol which is a monoterpen. It may be because of different roles of these terpenoids in plants.…”

Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid‐terpenoid entourage effects

“…Terpenoids, not cannabinoids, are responsible for the aroma of cannabis. Over 200 have been reported in the plant (Hendriks et al ., 1975; 1977; Malingre et al ., 1975; Davalos et al ., 1977; Ross and ElSohly, 1996; Mediavilla and Steinemann, 1997; Rothschild et al ., 2005; Brenneisen, 2007), but only a few studies have concentrated on their pharmacology (McPartland and Pruitt, 1999; McPartland and Mediavilla, 2001a; McPartland and Russo, 2001b). Their yield is less than 1% in most cannabis assays, but they may represent 10% of trichome content (Potter, 2009).…”

The chemistry and pharmacology of alkaloids and allied nitrogen compounds fromArtemisiaspecies: A review

“…princeps containing the azo compounds ( 58 – 72 ) showed significant phytotoxic effects on seed germination and seedling growth of Lactuca sativa and Achyranthes japonica . Pyrazine and pyrroles, identified as odorous substances in many plants (Rothschild, Moore, & Brown, ), act as warning signals for herbivores to the presence of dangerous chemicals and in other situations as an attractant for edible fruit that simultaneously assists in seed dispersal (Rothschild, Bergström, & Wängberg, ).…”