// Definition
Sulfur-containing volatile compounds present in cannabis at trace levels (nanograms per kilogram) that contribute significantly to aroma perception. A new LC-MS/MS method identified a novel five-carbon thiol (4-methyl-4-sulfanyl-pentan-2-one) along with known prenylthiol (3M2B1T/prenalthiol) responsible for skunky and gassy notes.
// From the Episode
Ryan Lee (Chimera) and Dr. Mark discussed a December 2025 ACS paper. The human nose detects these at far lower concentrations than terpenes due to evolutionary sensitivity to sulfur compounds (spoiled meat avoidance). Nick Zagler found 1,400 such compounds in hops. Detected at ~97 nanograms per kilogram.