This is a question you may have already asked yourself: Where does the skunk-like odor—so characteristic of cannabis—come from? A group of American scientists investigated this topic and discovered a new class of molecules that appear to be responsible for cannabis’s famous skunky scent.
Aromatic Profile of Cannabis: What We Know
Cannabis enthusiasts know this well: while each strain has its own unique aromatic profile, they all feature more or less pronounced notes of Skunk. The Skunk scent gets its name from the skunk, a type of North American weasel. Their distinctive scents are, in fact, quite similar.
"Skunk" therefore refers to that pungent smell, which is legendary in the marijuana community and highly prized by connoisseurs.
The smell of cannabis has long been associated with terpenes: these are the natural compounds that determine the plant’s distinctive aroma. However, no correlation has ever been found between the smell of Skunk and these compounds.
It’s important to note that there are more than 200 different terpenes in the various strains of cannabis alone, which explains the complexity of the aromatic notes and the difficulty in determining the source of the Skunk scent.Terpenesare part of the hydrocarbon family and possess medicinal properties, just like essential oils.
Depending on the combination of terpenes present in the plant, it will have nuances leaning more toward earthy, woody, fruity, tart, or floral notes…
As for the origin of the skunk notes, until now, they had not been identified among the existing terpenes.
This has now been achieved thanks to a new American scientific study published toward the end of this year.
New Findings on the Smell of Cannabis and Its Origin
Researchers working for the California-based company Abstrax Tech, which specializes in the production of terpenes derived from cannabis and other sources, studied the origin of the “skunk” odor found in cannabis and discovered a new, previously unknown family of compounds.
Supervised by Ian Oswald,this studywas conducted in 2021 by a team of chemists. Composed of four experts, the team studied the components of cannabis in great detail using state-of-the-art analytical equipment.
They analyzed nearly 13 different varieties of cannabis using two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer, a flame ionization detector, and a sulfur chemiluminescence detector.
This in-depth research has led to the discovery of previously unknown compounds: volatile sulfur compounds, or VSCs.
Everything You Need to Know About Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSCs) in Cannabis
The research team discovered seven different CVS, one of which was more prevalent than the others: 3-methyl-2-buten-1-thiol, or prenylthiol. When bound to a sulfur atom, it appears that the higher the concentration of this compound in the plant, the more pronounced the Skunk-like notes will be.
Although prenylthiol is present in only trace amounts in the plant, it is no less potent in terms of odor.
Scientists also studied the concentration of various CVS during the various stages of cannabis cultivation. They found that CVS levels increased exponentially a few weeks before flowering, reaching a peak concentration at the time of drying. CVS levels then begin to decline starting on the10thday of storage.
This new study not only helps us understand the origin of skunk’s distinctive odor, which is so highly prized by cannabis enthusiasts, but it will also help improve all processes related to the production and distribution of flowers, ensuring that the plant’s full range of aromas is better preserved and that product quality is enhanced.
Furthermore, like terpenes, CVSs may have therapeutic properties that are highly beneficial to our health. In fact, they have molecular structures similar to those found in garlic. These structures are responsible not only for garlic’s distinctive taste but also for some of its health benefits. These similarities suggest that prenylthiol, too, may have therapeutic properties.
Cannabis is still shrouded in mystery, and it is becoming increasingly clear that its benefits for our bodies are greatly underestimated. It has now been proven that cannabis contains not only cannabinoids such as CBD and terpenes, but also volatile sulfur compounds. You can purchase them directly from our CBD shop.
