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bioRxiv · 10.1101/169417

Endogenous synthesis of pyrethrins by cannabis

Devitt-Lee, A.·Smith, D.·Chen, D.·McKernan, K.·Groves, S.·McCarthy, C.
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Abstract

Pyrethrins are a class of natural terpenoid pesticides produced by Tanacetum cinerariifolium, commonly known as chrysanthemum. Here we present evidence that cannabis may be able to produce pyrethrins endogenously. Flower from a cannabis plant grown in a closed hydroponic environment contained 2.48 parts per million pyrethrin I by weight. A comparison of the genetics of T. cinerariifolium and Cannabis demonstrates Cannabis homologues of the genes that contribute to pyrethrins production in T. cinerariifolium. This provides a plausible pathway for the biosynthesis of pyrethrins in cannabis. Although preliminary, these data indicate a potentially significant confounding variable in both cannabis research and regulations on allowable pyrethrins residues in cannabis products.

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Devitt-Lee, A., Smith, D., Chen, D., McKernan, K., Groves, S., McCarthy, C.. 2017-07-28. Endogenous synthesis of pyrethrins by cannabis. https://doi.org/10.1101/169417

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