🔬 Scientists discover very rare compounds in cannabis

A team of chemists from Stellenbosch University in South Africa examined three locally grown cannabis varieties. Using advanced two-dimensional liquid chromatography techniques coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, they identified 79 different phenolic compounds. Among these, 25 had never been detected before in cannabis, and 16 belong to an extremely rare family called flavoalkaloids.

The latter were mainly found in the leaves of just one of the studied varieties, showing surprising chemical diversity between otherwise similar strains.


Phenolic compounds, and particularly flavonoids, are sought after for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Their analysis is however difficult due to their low concentrations and great structural diversity. Magriet Muller, lead author of the study published in the Journal of Chromatography A, explains that flavoalkaloids are very rare in nature, making their discovery in cannabis all the more significant.

The analytical method developed by Muller effectively separates different compounds, even when present in minute quantities. This approach has already been successfully tested on rooibos tea, grapes, and wine before being applied to cannabis. Professor André de Villiers, who supervised the research, emphasizes that this technique made it possible to isolate flavoalkaloids from more abundant flavonoids, enabling their detection.

This discovery highlights the medicinal potential of plant parts often considered waste, such as leaves. While research has traditionally focused on cannabinoids for their mood effects, this study reveals a unique richness that could interest biomedical research.