Get to Know A Cannabis Terpene: Valencene

With a name that’s derived from Valencia oranges, it should be no surprise that this sesquiterpene contributes to the aroma of many citrus fruits. Valencene has a long-lasting scent and is already in use in a variety of beauty and household products in addition to being found in cannabis. Valencene’s sweet, zesty, long-lasting smell made it prized in the perfume industry, but it wasn’t until a fermentation process was discovered that it became more accessible and more efficient to produce. Allylix, the same company that created the valencene fermentation process, later used its valencene to synthesize nootkatone, a sesquiterpenoid that contributes to the smell of grapefruit, for the food and beverage industry. Because of the huge import of nootkatone (which is also useful as a bug repellent), valencene’s importance commercially is related directly to that relationship. Valencene, along with patchouli, was one of the first micro-organism synthesized food flavoring chemicals to reach market.

Patent-wise, valencene is used in regular cannabis-related inventions, such as extracts, or is mentioned in extraction devices, or as part of a strain. It’s also included as part of the composition of special ink. One patent discusses the use of valencene and other terpenes and cannabinoids in addition to psilocybin for the treatment of a variety of disorders. Due to its usefulness as a flavoring agent, valencene is cited in a patent as a possible flavoring for an appetite stimulant. It’s listed as a possible aroma ingredient in a cream with long shelf-life.

Like nootkatone, valencene can be an effective insect repellent.

In medical research, valencene is being researched for a variety of different uses, and the ability to synthesize it has recently (2010) increased its accessibility for research.

It was a component of essential oil extracts from Origanum floribundum Munby a medicinal plant found in Algeria, that had an anticandidal activity. Valencene is one of many terpenes in that oil. Valencene is one of the components of an essential oil found to have anti-microbial properties.

Valencene is one of the terpenes in the essential oil of the Brazilian folk medicine plant Piper caldense. The Piper Caldense is used to remedy a variety of maladies.

Valencene was identified during a data mining project on Korean skincare products and routines that identified possible medicinal herbs for skin care.

As with many of the terpenes, valencene within the context of cannabis will be studied as legality, de-scheduling, and good testing allow. If reliable test results aren’t available, valencene can be found in citrusy and juicy strains like Orange MAC and Lemon Kushes.

Other Sources: blood orange, Origanum floribundum Munby, cedarwood oil, cocoa, grapefruit, labdanum oil, limes, mandarins, orange, sage, tagete, thyme, tansy oil.

Scents: Fruity, citrus, juicy, orange, woody

Flavors: fruity, citrus, juicy, orange, woody.

Article Sources: http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/rw1006341.html#touses https://www.labiotech.eu/trends-news/synbio-perfumery-tasty-smells-ingredients-microbes/ https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.578.5390&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Originally published at https://oregoncannabisgazette.com.