Abstract
Cannabis sativa L. has been utilized for a long time as a traditional herbal medicine in Korea. Dry fruits, achenes, each containing a single seed of Cannabis, are currently prescribed as Ma In (Cannabis Semen), a laxative. As each achene is enclosed by a bract, in which tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychological active compound in Cannabis is synthesized; achene is easily contaminated by THC from bract remnants. Therefore, it is safer to harvest achenes from Cannabis with a low THC content. Seeds of hemp, a low THC Cannabis, were recently classified as possible sources of new pharmacologically active compounds. Thus, a proper method to select appropriate Cannabis plants with low THC among cultivars in South Korea for medicinal purpose is necessary. As a result of cross-selection, Cannabis L. cultivar “Cheungsam” (CH) with the lowest THC content among cultivars cultivated in South Korea has been developed. In this study, we developed two DNA markers to reliably discriminate CH from other local cultivars with higher THC contents. We developed primer sets CHF3/CHR2 to amplify the 642 bp DNA marker of CH based on differences in the nucleotide sequences of the THCA synthase gene, which encodes a key enzyme in THC synthesis. We then developed a CHF1/CHR3 primer set to amplify the 401 bp DNA marker of CH based on the differences in both the content of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFs) and the sequence of the putative 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) gene encoding enzymes synthesizing VLCFs among local cultivars.
Highlights
Cannabis sativa L. has been cultivated for a long time for the supply of fibers, foods, and medicines [1]
Various pharmacologically active compounds have been uncovered in seeds of low THC Cannabis plants, which have been classified as hemp; low THC Cannabis achenes are evaluated as sources of new compounds, which have health benefits [15]. erefore, the selection of ideal Cannabis plants cultivated in South Korea is necessary to supply the proper sources of Ma In and develop new biologically active compounds
To distinguish CH, which is proper Cannabis, from Cannabis plants cultivated in South Korea for medicinal purposes, we developed DNA markers of CH
Summary
Cannabis sativa L. has been cultivated for a long time for the supply of fibers, foods, and medicines [1]. Varieties and cultivars of Cannabis are generally classified into two groups based on their purpose or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content (the primary psychological active component in Cannabis) and not on taxonomy [3]. Achenes are suitable sources of Ma In that could be harvested from low THC Cannabis varieties or cultivars. Various pharmacologically active compounds have been uncovered in seeds of low THC Cannabis plants, which have been classified as hemp; low THC Cannabis achenes are evaluated as sources of new compounds, which have health benefits [15]. Erefore, the selection of ideal Cannabis plants cultivated in South Korea is necessary to supply the proper sources of Ma In and develop new biologically active compounds Various pharmacologically active compounds have been uncovered in seeds of low THC Cannabis plants, which have been classified as hemp; low THC Cannabis achenes are evaluated as sources of new compounds, which have health benefits [15]. erefore, the selection of ideal Cannabis plants cultivated in South Korea is necessary to supply the proper sources of Ma In and develop new biologically active compounds
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