## 4 Discussion  
In this work, inflorescences from five _C. sativa_ cultivars were investigated by SPME-GC-MS and UPLC-MS techniques to determine and compare their content of volatile and non-volatile compounds. Many components characterizing in a different way the chemical profile of each analyzed cultivar, were identified. Among monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, \(\beta\)-myrcene, \(\beta\)-caryophyllene, humulene and selina-3,7(11)-diene were the most representative while \(\delta\)-9-cis-tetrahydrocannabinol, (-)- was the principal cannabinoid found. Several chemical profiles of _C. sativa_ have been previously described [27; 28]. In fact, quantitative and qualitative composition of cannabis can vary in relation to different factors such as the place of growth, the intrinsic characteristics of the soil, the climatic conditions, the method used for harvesting, conservation, inflorescence position along the stem [29; 30] but also the extraction process and the connected experimental conditions [31]. Lately, it has also been reported how the malting process affects the polyphenolic and protein content with repercussions on the nutritional characteristics of cannabis seeds [32]. In a recent work, the chemical composition of inflorescences belonging to 12 different cultivars was described [33]. The data showed a volatile profile similar to the one we reported but with an inverted trend; in fact, the monoterpene content was, contrary to results of our study, dominant over the sesquiterpene one. In detail, humulene and \(\beta\)-caryophyllene, which in our case reached important percentage values (up to 11.4% and 34.5%, respectively), were detected in lower relative amounts. Furthermore, selina-3,7(11)-diene that characterized all the cultivars we investigated, was missing. The cannabinoid content was also different. THC ranging from 5.0% to 51.9% in our samples, reached much lower relative percentages (from 0.03% to 0.29%). Moreover, in none of the 12 cultivars, the presence of CBNA, precursor of CBN, with important pharmacological properties and characterizing Banana Hybrid and Gorilla CBD, was detected. In general, the terpenoids, known as the main responsible for the aroma of plants, among the families of compounds found in _C. sativa_, occupy a large part of it [34]. These molecules are produced in glandular trichomes, which are abundant on the surface of the female inflorescence [35]. Within the terpen class, \(\beta\)-myrcene, \(\beta\)-caryophyllene, limonene, \(\alpha\)-pinene and linalool are the main compounds found in the different cultivars of _C. sativa_. Indeed, terpenoids as well as cannabinoids can be considered as markers for the recognition of a specific cultivar [36]. The beneficial potential of the identified compounds is known as deeply explored. In detail, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant and anticonvulsant effects are reported for the terpene derivatives [37]. In particular, the inflorescences have been widely used in traditional oriental medicine to combat the pain, treat insomnia problems or to heal injured tissue [38]. In addition, cannabinoids have been reported as substances with a high therapeutic potential in balancing mental disorders and in the treatment of various diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease; moreover, they are also able to exert antiemetic and appetite stimulating activities [39]. Hence, considering all the biological effects of cannabinoids and that more than 60 of them have been detected in _C. sativa_[40], their identification and separation are increasingly of great interest and importance in the scientific community. Among the flavonoids, a particular interest is addressed to cannflavin B and A, unique compounds of _C. sativa_ whose biosynthetic pathway starting from luteolin has been studied by [PERSON] et al. [41].