MOLECULE

Liquiritigenin

Liquiritigenin, also known as 5-deoxyflavanone or DFV, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as flavanones. Flavanones are compounds containing a flavan-3-one moiety, with a structure characterized by a 2-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran bearing a ketone at the carbon C3. Thus, liquiritigenin is considered to be a flavonoid lipid molecule. Liquiritigenin is a very hydrophobic molecule, practically insoluble (in water), and relatively neutral. Liquiritigenin is a bitter tasting compound. Outside of the human body, Liquiritigenin has been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as turnips, kelps, chinese mustards, medlars, and lettuces. This could make liquiritigenin a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. Liquiritigenin is expected to be in Cannabis as all living plants are known to produce and metabolize it.