Post Harvest Degradation

Post-harvest degradation refers to the chemical changes that occur in cannabis flowers after harvest, particularly the breakdown of volatile terpenes and oxidation of cannabinoids. Fresh-cut material begins losing aromatic compounds immediately through evaporation and enzymatic processes, with myrcene, limonene, and other monoterpenes being especially volatile. Environmental factors—temperature, light, humidity, and air exposure—directly influence the rate and character of these changes. Proper drying and curing protocols aim to slow degradation while developing desirable secondary aromas through controlled moisture and microbial activity. Understanding degradation patterns is crucial for breeders and cultivators seeking to preserve strain-specific aroma profiles or intentionally develop aged characteristics.

Breeders working with aromatic stability often select for terpene profiles and plant chemistry that resist rapid volatilization. Cultivars bred for shelf stability or specific cured aromas require knowledge of which compounds degrade predictably and which persist through post-harvest processing.