Scientists at Stellenbosch University (SU) have discovered the first evidence of a group of rare phenolic compounds known as flaboalkaloids. cannabis Leaves add an amazing new dimension to a plant’s chemical reactions.
Phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, are already highly valued in medicine for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties. This new discovery suggests that cannabis It may contain many more biologically important compounds than previously realized.
Dozens of previously unknown cannabis compounds identified
In their study, researchers analyzed three types of commercially grown plants. cannabis We extracted a strain from South Africa and identified 79 phenolic compounds. Of these, 25 had never been reported before. cannabis. Among them were 16 compounds tentatively classified as flavoalkaloids, which are rarely found in nature.
Interestingly, these flaboalkaloids are mainly concentrated in the leaves of one strain, highlighting how much chemical difference can exist between different types of flaboalkaloids. cannabis. The results of this research have recently Journal of Chromatography A.
Why are these compounds difficult to detect?
Dr. Magliette Müller, an analytical chemist in the LC-MS laboratory at Stellenbosch University’s Central Analytical Facility (CAF) and lead author of the study, explains that plant phenols are particularly difficult to study because they are present in very small amounts and have very diverse structures.
“Most plants contain very complex mixtures of phenolic compounds, and while flavonoids are widespread in the plant kingdom, flavoalkaloids are extremely rare in nature,” she explains.
She also notes how chemically complex it is. cannabis teeth. “We know that cannabis is highly complex and contains over 750 metabolites. However, we did not expect to find such a wide variation in phenolic profiles among just three strains. We also did not expect so many compounds to be detected for the first time in that species. In particular, the first evidence of flaboalkaloids was cannabis It was very exciting. ”
Revealing hidden chemistry with advanced technology
As part of his graduate studies in SU’s Department of Chemistry and Polymer Sciences, Muller developed an advanced analytical method that combines comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry. These tools allow scientists to isolate and identify compounds in great detail.
“We were looking for new applications for the method I developed after successful tests with rooibos tea, grapes and wine, and decided to apply the method to: cannabis Because we knew it was a complex sample. cannabis Phenolics are not well characterized,” she explains.
Professor Andre de Villiers, who led the study and heads SU University’s Analytical Chemistry Research Group, said the results were surprising. “The superior performance of two-dimensional liquid chromatography allowed us to separate flavoalkaloids from much more abundant flavonoids, allowing us to detect these rare compounds for the first time.” cannabis. ”
Untapped medical potential of overlooked plant materials
Professor de Villiers said the discovery highlights how much we still have to learn. cannabis. So far, most research has focused on cannabinoids, the compounds responsible for the psychoactive effects of plants.
“Our analysis once again highlights its medicinal efficacy. cannabis Plant material currently considered waste. cannabis “It exhibits a rich and unique non-cannabinoid phenolic profile, which may be relevant from a biomedical research perspective,” he concludes.
The findings suggest that even parts of plants that are often discarded, such as leaves, may hold valuable compounds with potential medical uses.
