Leaves of Cannabis sativa and their trichomes studied by DESI and MALDI mass spectrometry imaging for their contents of cannabinoids and flavonoids

IntroductionIn recent years, industrial production of Cannabis sativa has increased due to increased demand of medicinal products based on the plant. In these medicinal products, it is mainly the contents of cannabinoids like THCA and CBDA which are of interest, but also the flavonoids of C. sativa have pharmaceutical interest. ObjectivesThe primary aim is to study the distribution of the different cannabinoids in leaves of C. sativa and specifically to which extent they are located on the trichomes found on the surface of C. sativa leaves. Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) provide non-targeted imaging of numerous compounds in the same experiment. Therefore, the distribution of flavonoids is also mapped in the same experiments. Material and methodsFan leaves from C. sativa were imaged in the lateral dimension using direct DESI-MSI as well as indirect DESI-MSI via a porous PTFE surface using pixel sizes of 150-200 mu m. For cross sections of sugar leaves, MALDI-MSI was performed at 20 mu m pixel size. ResultsFrom indirect DESI-MSI experiments, a connection was made between the cannabinoid CBGA and capitate-stalked trichomes. Other cannabinoids like THCA/CBDA (isomers, which are not resolved in an MSI experiment) were also detected in the capitate-stalked trichomes, but in addition to this also in the small glandular trichomes. MALDI-MSI experiments on cross sections of sugar leaves confirmed that the cannabinoids were not an integral part of the leaf tissue itself, but originated from the trichomes on the surface of the leaf. ConclusionThe study provides visual evidence that the cannabinoids are produced and accumulated in the trichomes of C. sativa leaves.

Automated summary

The study aims to investigate the distribution of different cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa leaves, particularly on the trichomes found on the leaf's surface. DESI-MSI and MALDI-MSI techniques were used to visualize the distribution of cannabinoids and flavonoids. The results indicate that cannabinoids are produced and accumulated in the trichomes of Cannabis sativa leaves, rather than being a part of the leaf tissue itself.