How Are Flavonoids Made In Cannabis?

Posted bybreederscollectivePosted inAll Blog Posts, Cannabis Flavonoids, Cannabis Science
How Are Flavonoids Made In Cannabis?

How Are Flavonoids Made In Cannabis?

Flavonoids are a class of compounds found in many plants, including cannabis. They are synthesized through a complex process involving multiple enzymatic reactions.

The biosynthesis of flavonoids in cannabis begins with the production of phenylalanine, an amino acid that serves as a building block for many different types of plant compounds. Phenylalanine is converted into cinnamic acid through a process known as phenylpropanoid metabolism.

Cinnamic acid is then converted into chalcones, which are precursor molecules for flavonoids. This conversion involves the action of specific enzymes known as chalcone synthases, which catalyze the condensation of three molecules of malonyl-CoA with one molecule of cinnamoyl-CoA, forming a molecule of chalcone.

Once chalcones have been produced, they can be used to synthesize a wide range of different flavonoids. Flavonoids in cannabis are synthesized through a branch of the phenylpropanoid pathway known as the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway.

The flavonoid biosynthetic pathway involves a series of enzymatic reactions that convert chalcones into specific types of flavonoids. For example, the conversion of chalcones into flavanones involves the action of specific enzymes called flavanone synthases, which catalyze the addition of a molecule of malonyl-CoA to the chalcone to form a flavanone.

Other types of flavonoids, such as flavones, flavonols, and anthocyanins, are produced through similar enzymatic reactions, with different enzymes and precursor molecules involved in each pathway.

The production of flavonoids in cannabis is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, growing conditions, and environmental factors. Different strains of cannabis can have very different flavonoid profiles, which can influence their potential therapeutic effects.

Flavonoids in cannabis have been shown to have a range of potential therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. While more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of these compounds, the complex biosynthetic pathways involved in flavonoid production suggest that they may play an important role in the overall health and wellbeing of the cannabis plant, as well as in the potential therapeutic applications of cannabis products.

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