The constituents of Cannabis sativa pollen

Abstract

The pollen of Cannabis sativa L. was rich in cannabinoids and particularly in THC and THCA, the latter being able to be transformed into physiologically active THC. Climatic factors and particularly temperature played an important role, since the THC content at 24° C 16 h was 30 times as great as at 22° C 12° C 16h. Determinations of the phenol compounds in the corresponding flowering heads had not been completed, but those that had been finished showed that the optimum content was given by plants cultivated at 24° C 16 h. The highest concentration of alkaloid type substances was also given under this climatic regime: these substances were different from choline and trigonelline and studies were under way to identify them. With regard to the flavonoids that were examined by two-dimensional paper chromatography, two principal spots were detected corresponding to two glycosides. After hydrochloric acid hydrolysis two different genins were identified as apigenin and luteolin respectively. These flavone glycosides were also found in the leaves together with several others, and a further study is being made of them the results of which will be published shortly. © 1975 The New York Botanical Garden.