Researchers are seek to decode on the nose what it is that have marijuana its distinctive , fragrant taste . In a study published inPLOS One , scientist have managed to single out a serial publication of genes that could one sidereal day help oneself breeders home in on and standardize particular flavors and smells of cannabis .
The researcherscompare their workof decoding marijuana flavour to the heroic wine industry , which is built around recognisable gustatory perception that can be replicate . “ This is similar to the wine-coloured industry , which depends on define varieties such as Pinot Chardonnay or merlot for high economic value products , ” explains Jörg Bohlmann , a prof at the University of British Columbia , in astatement . In fact , the issue of factor creditworthy for the mouthful of cannabis is indeed corresponding to the numeral responsible for the gustation in grapevines .
Much of the scent of marijuana is dictated by sure compounds know as monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes , and as such are also recall to conduce to the distinct tone of the works when consumed . While much inquiry start into the active compound that give the high as well as others that give the medicative quality of cannabis , little has been done to look into these other molecules . These compounds are generally known in the industry only as terpenes .
In light of that , the investigator of this latest subject area analyzed the genome of cannabis plants in the search for the factor that give them their characteristic tastes . They wield to place rough 30 terpene synthase genes that are thought to bestow to the unique nosegay see .
The specific genes that they were able to decode were found to play a role in grow mote such as limonene , myrcene , and pinene , which are already known to add the fragrant smell and tasting of the plant . “ The limonene compound produce a lemon tree - like flavor and myrcene produces the dank , vulgar flavor machine characteristic of purple kush,”saysco - author Judith Booth .
Interestingly , the enquiry look into the tang genes might not only have relevance to how the different strains of marijuana taste , but also to how inviolable their medicative properties are . They have managedto line up one gene , for model , that produces a terpene known as bete - caryophyllene . This molecule not only contribute to the sense of taste , but also interacts with the cannabinoid receptor on our cell . The research worker advise that this might therefore tempt the medicinal note value .