Abstract
The time course of cannabinoid accumulation in the leaves of individual plants of three Cannabis accessions was determined by gas-chromatographic analysis in greenhouse-grown plants. The total amounts and the concentration ratios of CBD, THC and CBG were determined; two accessions (an experimental hybrid, (21R × 15R) × NL, and plants from a seized seed lot) were found chemotypically uniform, with all plants belonging to chemotpe II (mixed) and I (high THC) respectively. The Carmagnola accession showed chemotypic heterogeneity, with a majority of plants belonging to chemotype III. The CBD/THC and CBG/CBD ratios were shown to be largely constant in the leaves, since 28 and until 103 days after sowing, and consistent with the ratios determined on mature inflorescences. CBD and THC maximum amounts in the leaves showed a peak in the leaves around 80 days from sowing, and were shown to be simultaneous during the growth period, irrespective of the chemotypes. Callus cultures were obtained from all the five different chemotypes (I, II, III, IV, V), and GC analyses were performed. Independently of the type and amount of cannabinoids in the mother plants, it was confirmed that callus cultures of Cannabis were not able to produce detectable amounts of any cannabinoids.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bócsa I, Mathé P, Hangyel L (1997) Effect of nitrogen on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) leaves at different positions. J Intl Hemp Assoc 4:80–81
Fairbairn JW, Rowan MG (1975) Cannabinoid pattern in Cannabis sativa L. seedlings as an indication of the chemical race. J Pharm Pharmacol 27:90P (supplement)
Fellermeier Mand Zenk MH (1998) Prenylation of olivetolate by a hemp transferase yields cannabigerolic acid, the precursor of tetrahydrocannabinol. FEBS Lett 427:283–285
Fellermeier M, Eisenreich W, Bacher A, Zenk MH (2001) Biosynthesis of cannabinoids. Incorporation experiments with 13C-labeled glucoses. Eur J Biochem 268:1596–1604
Fetterman PS, Keith ES, Waller CW, Guerrero O, Doorembos NJ, Quimby MW (1971) Missisipi-grown Cannabis sativa L. Preliminary observation on chemical definition of phenotype and variations in terahydrocannabinol content versus age, sex and plant part. J Pharm Sci 60:1246
Fournier G, Richez-Dumanois C, Duvezin J, Mathieu J-P, Paris M (1987) Identification of a new chemotype in Cannabis sativa: cannabigerol-dominant plants, biogenetic and agronomic prospects. Planta Medica 53:277–280
Gadzovska S, Maury S, Delaunay A, Spasenoski M, Joseph C, Hagège D (2007) Jasmonic acid elicitation of Hypericum perforatum L. cell suspensions and effects on the production of phenylpropanoids and naphtodianthrones. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 89:1–13
Gamborg OL (1966) Aromatic metabolism in plants II. Enzymes of the shikimate pathway in suspension cultures of plant cells. Can J Biochem 44:791–799
Holley JH, Hadley KW, Turner CE (1975) Constituents of Cannabis sativa L. XI cannabidiol and cannabichromene in samples of known geographical origin. J Pharm Sci 64:892–894
Latta RP, Eaton BJ (1975) Seasonal fluctuations in cannabinoid content of Kansas marijuana. Econ Bot 29:153–163
Mahlberg PG, Kim ES (2004) Accumulation of cannabinoids in glandular trichomes of Cannabis (Cannabaceae). J Ind Hemp 9:15–36
Mandolino G (2004) Again on the nature of inheritance of chemotype. Letter to the editor. J Ind Hemp 9:5–7
Mandolino G, Carboni A (2004) Potential of marker assisted selection in hemp genetic improvement. Euphytica 140:107–120
Mandolino G, Ranalli P (1999) Advances in biotechnological approaches for hemp breeding and Industry. In Ranalli P (ed) Advances in Hemp Research. Haword Press, New York, pp 185–208
Mandolino G, Bagatta M, Carboni A, Ranalli P, de Meijer EPM (2003) Qualitative and quantitative aspects of the inheritance of chemical phenotype in Cannabis. J Ind Hemp 8:51–72
Mechoulam R (1970) Marjuana chemistry. Science 168:1159–1166
Mechoulam R (2000) Looking back at Cannabis research. Curr Pharm Des 6:1313–1322
Mediavilla V, Jonquera M, Schmid-Slembrouck I, Soldati A (1998) Decimal code for growth stages of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). J Intl Hemp Assoc 5:68–74
de Meijer EPM, Hammond KM (2005) The inheritance of chemical phenotype in Cannabis sativa L. (II). Cannabigerol predominant plants. Euphytica 145:189–198
de Meijer de EPM, Bagatta M, Carboni A, Crucitti P, Moliterni VMC, Ranalli P, Mandolino G (2003) The inheritance of chemical phenotype in Cannabis sativa L. Genetics 163:335–346
de Meijer EPM, van der Kamp HJ, van Eeuwijk FA (1992) Characterization of Cannabis accessions with regard to cannabinoid content in relation to other plant characters. Euphytica 62:187–200
Pacifico D, Miselli F, Micheler M, Carboni A, Ranalli P, Mandolino G (2006) Genetics and marker-assisted selection of the chemotype in Cannabis sativa L. Mol Breed 17:257–268
Pasqua G, Avato P, Monacelli B, Santamaria AR, Argentieri MP (2003) Metabolites in cell suspension cultures, calli, and in vitro regenerated organs of Hypericum perforatum cv. Topas. Plant Sci 165:977–982
Pate DW (1994) Chemical ecology of Cannabis. J Intl Hemp Assoc 1:29–37
Pertwee RG (2004) Pharmacological and therapeutic targets for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. Euphytica 140:73–82
Peters JE, Wu PHL, Sharp WR, Paddock EF (1974) Rooting and the metabolism of nicotine in tobacco callus cultures. Physiol Plant 31:97–100
Sirikantaramas S, Morimoto S, Shoyama Y, Ishikawa Y, Wada Y, Shoyama Y, Taura F (2004) The gene controlling marijuana psychoactivity. J Biol Chem 279:39767–39774
Sirikantaramas S, Taura F, Tanaka Y, Ishikawa Y, Morimoto S, Shoyama Y (2005) Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase, the enzyme controlling marijuana psychoactivity, is secreted into the storage cavity of the glandular trichomes. Plant Cell Physiol 46:1578–1582
Small E, Beckstead HD (1973) Common cannabinoid phenotypes in 350 stocks of Cannabis. Lloydia 36:144–165
Stott CG, Guy GW (2004) Cannabinoids for the pharmaceutical industry. Euphytica 140:83–93
Turner CE, Hemphill JK, Mahlberg PG (1978) Quantitative determination of cannabinoids in individual glandular trichomes of Cannabis sativa L (Cannabaceae). Am J Bot 65:1103–1106
Turner CE, Elsohly MA, Boeren EG (1980) Constituents of Cannabis sativa L. XVII review of the natural constituents. J Nat Prod 43:169–234
de Zeeuw RA, Malingre ThM, Merkus FWHM (1972) Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, an important component in the evaluation of Cannabis products. J Pharm Pharmacol 24:1–6
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pacifico, D., Miselli, F., Carboni, A. et al. Time course of cannabinoid accumulation and chemotype development during the growth of Cannabis sativa L. Euphytica 160, 231–240 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-007-9543-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-007-9543-y