Beyond potency: A proposed lexicon for sensory differentiation of Cannabis sativa L. aroma.

ABSTRACT: Aroma is a critical factor in consumer-perceived quality of Cannabis sativa L., yet standardized tools for describing the aromatic diversity of uncombusted Cannabis inflorescence are lacking. This study generated and evaluated a descriptive aroma lexicon for intact Cannabis inflorescence consisting of 25 terms with defined reference standards. A human panel evaluated 91 samples using a Check-All-That-Apply method. Multivariate analyses demonstrated the lexicon's ability to differentiate samples based on orthonasal aroma. Type I and III Cannabis exhibited overlapping sensory profiles, though type I (high THC, low CBD) was more frequently described as skunky, musty, and animalic, whereas type III (low THC, high CBD) had higher frequencies of citrus, fruity, and candy-like aromas. Terpene pro

SUBMITTER: Isaacson SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12539713 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature