Unit Three: Plants as Drinks and Drugs

Winemaking Origins

Wine predates recorded history, linked to civilization's birth.

Sumer

Region with winemaking evidence dating to ~6000 BC.

Egypt

First evidence of white wine from Tutankhamun's tomb.

Dionysus

Greek god of wine, fertility, and ritual ecstasy.

Amphorae

Storage vessels used for wine in ancient cultures.

Yeasts

Unicellular fungi essential for fermentation processes.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Primary yeast for alcoholic fermentation in winemaking.

Malolactic fermentation

Process converting malic acid to lactic acid by Oenococcus oeni.

Louis Pasteur

Scientist known for fermentation studies and Swan Neck Flask Experiment.

Fermentation Heat

Wine fermentation produces ~101 kcal of heat per liter.

King Tutankhamun

Pharaoh with jars of wine found in his tomb.

Pistacia palaestina

Terebinth tree resin used in ancient wine preservation.

Greek Theatre

Cultural development influenced by Dionysian festivals.

Odyssey

Homer's epic poem with numerous wine references.

Viticulture

Cultivation of grapevines for winemaking purposes.

Fission

Yeast cell division method involving localized ingrowths.

Bacchus

Roman equivalent of the Greek god Dionysus.

Fermentation Tanks

Containers where initial fermentation occurs with yeast.

Apiculate Yeasts

Yeasts present in early fermentation stages before S. cerevisiae.

Selective Pressure

Environmental conditions favoring S. cerevisiae during fermentation.

Hexoses

Sugars fermented to produce ethanol and CO2.

Wine as Medicine

Ancient Romans viewed wine as a therapeutic substance.

Phylogenetic Trees

DNA sequencing method for classifying yeast species.

Koji mold

Yeast used in sake production on rice.

Toji

Head brewmaster in sake making.

Polishing the rice

Process to break starch and sugar for fermentation.

Shubo

First stage of sake fermentation.

Muromi

Volume increases during sake fermentation process.

Caffeine consumption

Average: 76 mg/person/day globally.

Coffea Arabica

Coffee plant native to Eastern Asia.

Caffeine

Alkaloid affecting plant defense and metabolism.

Caffeine absorption

Rapidly absorbed in 45 minutes post-consumption.

Adenosine receptors

Caffeine antagonizes these receptors, blocking chill-effect.

CYP1A2

Gene responsible for caffeine metabolism.

ADORA2A

Gene encoding adenosine receptor affecting caffeine response.

Fast metabolizers

AA genotype for rapid caffeine processing.

Slow metabolizers

AC or CC genotype for slower caffeine processing.

High responders

TT genotype for increased caffeine sensitivity.

Low responders

TC or CC genotype for decreased caffeine sensitivity.

Caffeine benefits

Boosts pain relief and cognitive performance.

Caffeine risks

Can cause anxiety and digestive issues at high doses.

Cannabis

Genus in Cannabaceae family, includes three species.

C. Sativa

One of the three species in cannabis genus.

C. ruderalis

Another species within the cannabis genus.

Caffeine properties

Has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Caffeine in saliva

Low percentage excreted unchanged in saliva.

Caffeine and elderly

Not recommended due to potential health risks.

Phytocannabinoids

Secondary compounds produced by cannabis species.

THC

Major phytocannabinoid with psychoactive effects.

CBD

Non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid with therapeutic properties.

Marijuana

Cannabis variety with high THC concentration.

Hemp

Cannabis variety with low THC concentration.

Trichomes

Glandular structures producing cannabinoids.

Carboxylic acids

Salt forms of THC and CBD before processing.

Diploid genome

Genome with two sets of chromosomes.

ECS

Endogenous cannabinoid system regulating various functions.

Biogeography

Study of cannabis spread and historical use.

Mescaline

Naturally occurring alkaloid with hallucinogenic effects.

Huachuma

Indigenous name for mescaline-containing cactus.

Phenylalkylamine

Class of compounds including mescaline.

Indigenous use

Traditional applications of mescaline for healing.

5HT2A receptor

Target receptor for mescaline's hallucinogenic effects.

Pellotine

Psychoactive alkaloid with sedative properties.

Hordenine

Alkaloid with antibiotic properties found in peyote.

Anhalinine

Stimulant alkaloid present in peyote.

Therapeutic use

Cannabis applications for chronic pain and seizures.

Negative impacts

Adverse effects like impaired judgment and anxiety.

Historical use

Cannabis and mescaline used for rituals and medicine.

Euphoria

Intense feelings of happiness from mescaline.

Hallucinations

Altered perceptions caused by mescaline consumption.

Opioid sparing

Reducing opioid use through cannabis therapy.