Trema micranthum (L.) Blume as a new source of cannabinoids

Trema micranthum (Cannabaceae) has emerged as a promising new source of cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD). Given the substantial medicinal demand for cannabinoids and the regulatory challenges associated with Cannabis sativa due to the presence of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), this study sought to explore the presence of CBD, THC, and their precursors, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA A) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), in various parts of Trema micranthum using UHPLC-HRMS/MS (Orbitrap). Extracts from fruits, leaves, inflorescences, and stems were obtained using a methanol/hexane (9:1, v/v) solvent mixture. UHPLC coupled with an Orbitrap mass spectrometer was employed for cannabinoid identification and quantification, with standard mixtures prepared in methanol. The extracts yielded significant quantities, such as 6.6%/g from leaves and 3%/g from fruits. Cannabinoids were detected in fruits, leaves, and inflorescences, with acidic forms (CBDA and THCA A) present in higher concentrations than their neutral counterparts. Notably, leaves contained 4.43 × 10^-3 µg/g of CBD and 1.05 ×  10^-3 µg/g of THC. These findings, facilitated by high-resolution analytical methods, underscore the potential of Trema micranthum as an alternative source for cannabinoids, guiding future research in this area.