// Definition
The chemical degradation of CBD through oxidation that produces a pink-colored compound called CBD hydroxyquinone (HU-331), indicating the CBD is no longer active. Counterintuitively, CBD can act as a pro-oxidant rather than antioxidant in certain oil formulations, actually accelerating rancidity.
// From the Episode
Dr. Mark Scialdone presented upcoming ACS conference data showing CBD acted as a pro-oxidant in ghee (clarified butter), decreasing oil stability rather than preserving it. However, hydrogenated CBD (tetrahydrocannabidiol) extended shelf life beyond 80 hours. The pink color in CBD products indicates oxidation to HU-331, a compound first characterized at Hebrew University by Professor Mechoulam's lab. The Beam reaction test uses this color change to distinguish CBD from THC cultivars.