Antioxidant Compounds

Antioxidant compounds in cannabis include flavonoids, polyphenols, and cannabinoids themselves, which function as free-radical scavengers at the cellular level. These molecules are produced across all plant tissues and accumulate through metabolic pathways influenced by genetics, light exposure, and growing conditions. Research into cannabis antioxidant profiles remains limited, but phytochemical screening has identified compounds like quercetin, kaempferol, and catechin in various strains. Breeders and researchers studying cannabis biochemistry increasingly track antioxidant-rich lineages, though standardized testing protocols for these compounds in cannabis remain underdeveloped compared to other plant families.

Breeders working in phytochemical-focused programs sometimes select for parent plants showing elevated antioxidant markers, though direct selection requires lab analysis rather than visual phenotyping. Some breeding lines originating from high-altitude or UV-stress environments are noted in lineage records for potentially higher polyphenol content, as these conditions can upregulate antioxidant pr