Exploring the dynamics of developmental stages of micropropagated medical cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) through chemical characterization and optimal plant
					regeneration

PS Tzimas; E A Petrakis; S Beteinakis; A N Martini; M Papafotiou; D Bilalis; A L Small-Howard; M Halabalaki; L A Skaltsounis

doi:10.1055/s-0042-1759238

Planta Medica, Table of Contents

Planta Med 2022; 88(15): 1531
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1759238

Poster Session II

Exploring the dynamics of developmental stages of micropropagated medical cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) through chemical characterization and optimal plant regeneration

PS Tzimas∗

¹Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli Zografou, 15771, Greece

,

E A Petrakis

¹Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli Zografou, 15771, Greece

,

S Beteinakis

¹Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli Zografou, 15771, Greece

,

A N Martini

²Laboratory of Floriculture & Landscape Architecture, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855, Greece

,

M Papafotiou

²Laboratory of Floriculture & Landscape Architecture, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855, Greece

,

D Bilalis

³Laboratory of Agronomy, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855, Greece

,

A L Small-Howard

⁴GbS Global Biopharma, Canada

,

M Halabalaki

¹Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli Zografou, 15771, Greece

,

L A Skaltsounis

¹Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli Zografou, 15771, Greece

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Full Text

The usage of medical cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) for therapeutic purposes has been rising in many countries due to increasing evidence for medicinal benefit and favorable regulatory policies [1]. Cannabinoids, particularly Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its acidic counterpart tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) are considered the main bioactive constituents of the plant, though C. sativa is known to produce a wide array of phytochemicals [2]. In line with urgent clinical and research demands, large amounts of plant biomass are required for consistent production of high-quality extracts and isolation of cannabinoids.

Biotechnological approaches, such as in vitro propagation, enable intensified plant multiplication without compromising chemical consistency for end uses [3], [4]. However, during developmental stages of growth various changes occur in metabolite profiles, affecting cannabinoids among others. Chemical characterization of the respective samples is thus of critical importance to provide deeper insight into the dynamics of tissue culture. In this work, an efficient protocol was developed and optimized using stem explants for indirect organogenesis. Appropriate additive and plant growth regulator (PGR) regimens were established, and acclimatized plantlets were well developed. In parallel, metabolomic analyses were conducted based on suitable techniques, such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, to acquire rapidly relevant data and monitor systematic chemical differences among the tissue culture samples. Overall, the implemented strategy allowed to gain further knowledge into the biochemical mechanisms underlying growth and developmental processes in the course of medical cannabis tissue culture.

The authors declare no conflict of interest; Funding; Stavros Niarchos Foundation (grant number KA 14 320).

References

References
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