2 Cannabis: botany and biomass production
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Abstract
The plant cannabis belongs to the family Cannabaceae. It has been cultivated and used as a source of fiber, food, and medicine since ancient times. The plant produces a unique class of terpenophenolic compounds called cannabinoids. So far, more than 550 constituents have been isolated from Cannabis sativa, out of which 125 are phytocannabinoids. Among phytocannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is reported to be the most psychoactive compound with a wide spectrum of therapeutic potential. On the other hand, cannabidiol, a nonpsychoactive compound, is reported to possess very promising pharmacological activities, most notably as an antiepileptic agent, particularly for the treatment of intractable pediatric epilepsy. In view of the variation in pharmacological activities of different cannabinoids, there is much interest in growing compound-based crops for research purposes. In this chapter, we address cannabis botany and its indoor and outdoor cultivation under good agricultural practices (harvesting, processing, and storage to be used as a starting material), to develop a botanical drug.
Abstract
The plant cannabis belongs to the family Cannabaceae. It has been cultivated and used as a source of fiber, food, and medicine since ancient times. The plant produces a unique class of terpenophenolic compounds called cannabinoids. So far, more than 550 constituents have been isolated from Cannabis sativa, out of which 125 are phytocannabinoids. Among phytocannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is reported to be the most psychoactive compound with a wide spectrum of therapeutic potential. On the other hand, cannabidiol, a nonpsychoactive compound, is reported to possess very promising pharmacological activities, most notably as an antiepileptic agent, particularly for the treatment of intractable pediatric epilepsy. In view of the variation in pharmacological activities of different cannabinoids, there is much interest in growing compound-based crops for research purposes. In this chapter, we address cannabis botany and its indoor and outdoor cultivation under good agricultural practices (harvesting, processing, and storage to be used as a starting material), to develop a botanical drug.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- List of contributors VII
- 1 The history of cannabis: a story of coevolution and human discovery 1
- 2 Cannabis: botany and biomass production 27
- 3 A comprehensive review of cannabis phytocannabinoids 63
- 4 The non-cannabinoid constituents of Cannabis sativa 91
- 5 Total synthesis of the major phytocannabinoids 111
- 6 Biosynthesis of cannabis constituents 141
- 7 Identification and analysis of cannabis 165
- Index 199
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- List of contributors VII
- 1 The history of cannabis: a story of coevolution and human discovery 1
- 2 Cannabis: botany and biomass production 27
- 3 A comprehensive review of cannabis phytocannabinoids 63
- 4 The non-cannabinoid constituents of Cannabis sativa 91
- 5 Total synthesis of the major phytocannabinoids 111
- 6 Biosynthesis of cannabis constituents 141
- 7 Identification and analysis of cannabis 165
- Index 199
