## 3 Strategies to Influence _C. sativa_ L. Aroma and Flavor Profiles
SA has been identified as an effective hormonal regulator of promoter activity controlling the transcription of genes responsible for cannabinoid synthesis [85]. Ascorbic acid has also been shown to stimulate gene expression linked to delta-9-THC and CBD biosynthesis, boosting the levels of these metabolites [86]. Although studies of molecules with an elicitor's effects on aroma-relevant volatiles and flavor-contributing compounds in cannabis are scarce, research on other aromatic plants with similar glandular trichomes can provide valuable insights. Plant endogenous elicitors, such as MeJA and methyl salicate (MeSA), are well known for their ability to upregulate the secondary metabolism in plants [87]. In _Ocimum basilicum_ L. (basil), an aromatic plant species with glandular trichomes structurally analogous to those in _C. sativa_ L., MeJA application resulted in substantial increases in \(\beta\)-caryophyllene (133%), 1-8 cineole (147%),linalo (113%), and limonene (111%) compared with untreated controls [88]. Similarly, SA application enhanced the accumulation of these terpen by a respective 45%, 53%, 65%, and 31%. These results underscore the potential of elicitor-based technologies to enhance terpene biosynthesis and accumulation in _C. sativa_ L., modulating its aromatic properties and potentially its therapeutic effects. The foliar application of SA to _Varronia curassavica_ Jacq. (Boraginaceae), a Brazilian medicinal plant that accumulates essential oils in glandular trichomes, resulted in an 18% increase in its total essential oil content. Additionally, the concentrations of \(\alpha\)-Humulene and \(\beta\) -caryophyllene doubled, highlighting the efficacy of SA in enhancing the biosynthesis of these key terpen [89]. Similarly, an SA 0.5 mM and 1 mM application to peppermint (_Mentha \(\times\)piperita_) plants increased their essential oil content by 50% and 35%, respectively. Monoterpene levels were enhanced and sesquiterpene levels were decreased. There were notable increases in 1,8-cineole (+70%), mentofuran (+30%), and isomenthyl acetate (+2020%), all of which are key contributors to peppermint's aroma profile. Conversely, menthone (\(-6\%\)), pulegone (\(-29\%\)), and germacrene D (\(-57\%\)) declined following the application of SA 1 mM [90]. Jasmonic acid (JA) and MeJA were reported to significantly influence the essential oil yield and composition of _Lavandula angustifolia_ Mill. The application of JA 10 mM resulted in the highest percentage (0.82-0.93%) and yield (1.77-1.84 mL) of essential oil per plant. The application of MeJA 1.0 mM also enhanced the essential oil content (0.70-0.78%) and yield (1.33-1.50 mL). The application of both elicitors increased key terpen. The levels of lanalool and camphor were increased by +7.4% and +28.6%, respectively, with JA 10 mM and +6.2% and +8.5%, respectively, with MeJA 1.0 mM [91]. Beyond these examples, elicitor application in transgenic _Mentha spicata_ L. (spearmint) demonstrated that the genetic background also plays a critical role in determining terpene biosynthesis. Under the elicitor of salt stress (800 nM NaCl), wild-type plants produced only monoterpenes, whereas transgenic plants expressing isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase(_MSIso_) or limonene synthase (_MSLimo_) accumulated additional terpenes. Following elicitation, plants expressing _MSIso_ contained 15 terpenes, including phenylropenes, while plants expressing _MSLimo_ accumulated levels of sesquiterpenes exceeding 12% of the total terpenes. These findings suggest that both a favorable genetic background and elicitation are required to observe specific modifications in terpene biosynthesis [92]. Further supporting this interplay between genetics and elicitor response, intraspecific variation in _Arabidopsis thaliana_ terpene emissions has been linked to allelic differences in TPS genes (TPS02 and TPS03) and their subcellular localization [93].