Ashburton Zeolite Elevates Marijuana Potency in Study of Cannabis Grown with Zeolite

Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCwire) - Ashburton Ventures Inc. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) is pleased to announce the discovery of a positive correlation between Z-1 Zeolite and cannabinoid production in six out of six categories detected and measured in the Meltdown marijuana strain, as recorded in a recent analysis conducted by MB Labs, a Health Canada certified cannabis laboratory.

In the case of all cannabinoids detected, total potency increased as levels of Z-1 zeolite enrichment increased. Zeolite used in Ashburton’s study of cannabis grown with zeolite was sourced from the Z-1 Zeolite Quarry near Cache Creek, BC, jointly operated by Ashburton Ventures and ZMM Minerals Canada Corp.

Cannabinoid analysis was conducted using UV light detection with ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography. According to Analytics Chemist Rene Bilodeau, MB Labs applies “extremely sensitive technologies to obtain the most precise and accurate measurements possible.”

Biologist and cultivation research manager Albert Kasprowicz stated, “This data set validates our study, as it illustrates a meaningful elevation of cannabinoid yields – a doubling of medicinal potency – in plants influenced by zeolite. Cannabis cultivators are farmers of cannabinoids, so these findings are momentous.”

The Meltdown strain is known for relatively low THC levels, higher levels of non-psychoactive Cannabidoil (CBD), and a broad spectrum of minor medicinal cannabinoids. Liquid chromatography preserves cannabinoids in their precursor acid form, which when subjected to heat, converts to a non-acid cannabinoid at .877 of the original molecular weight (e.g. 1% THC-A = .877% THC).

Highlights of the liquid chromatography analysis include the following divergences in cannabinoid production between plants grown in Z-1 Zeolite-enriched substrate and those grown in the control substrate of unamended coconut husk fibre:

• a 2.1-fold increase in Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol Acid (THC-A), from 2.99% THC-A in control marijuana, to 6.29% THC-A in marijuana grown with Z-1 Zeolite enrichment; 
   
• a 2.07-fold increase in Cannabidiol-Acid (CBD-A), from 3.85% CBD-A in control marijuana, to 7.99% CBD-A in marijuana grown with Z-1 Zeolite enrichment;    
   
• a 2.37-fold increase in Cannabichromene Acid (CBC-A), from .19% CBC-A in control marijuana, to .45% CBC-A in marijuana grown with Z-1 Zeolite enrichment;    
   
• a 2.06-fold increase in Cannabigerol Acid (CBG-A), from .16% CBG-A in control marijuana, to .33% CBG-A in marijuana grown with Z-1 Zeolite enrichment; 
   
• a 1.79-fold increase in Cannabidivarin Acid (CBDV-A), from .014% CBDV-A in control marijuana, to .025% CBDV-A in marijuana grown with Z-1 Zeolite enrichment, and      
   
• a 2.26-fold increase in Tetrahydrocannabivarin Acid (THCV-A), from .015% THCV-A in control marijuana, to .035% THCV-A in marijuana grown with Z-1 Zeolite enrichment.

In the case of all detected cannabinoids, potency rose steadily as levels of zeolite enrichment increased through three increments.

In the case of zeolite blended with carbon (ZMM T-Carbon), potency for most cannabinoids peaked at medium levels of enrichment and then declined, revealing an approximate level of optimal enrichment. The data suggests that ZMM T-Carbon makes Z-1 Zeolite more efficient by allowing for near-peak cannabinoid production with a lower input of Z-1 Zeolite. With the exception of CBG, overall cannabinoid potency remained lower than levels reached with high applications of only Z-1 Zeolite.

Kasprowicz is currently analyzing MB Labs data including soil and liquid runoff samples to extrapolate mechanisms of action prior to designing a follow-up study.

Ashburton Chief Operating Officer Timothy Harvey stated, “We’re extremely pleased with the key findings of our study. Not only did the cannabinoid output of the Meltdown strain approximately double with the addition of Z-1 Zeolite, but this effect is coupled with a 7% increase in the total dry weight of marijuana harvested, as previously reported. These results indicate that Z-1 Zeolite adds significant value to cannabis cultivation enterprises.”

Graphed results of the MB Labs cannabinoid analysis from dried marijuana samples of the Meltdown strain are posted on Ashburton’s website at http://www.ashburtonventures.com/news/lab-results.png.

Ashburton Ventures Inc. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company focused on Canadian mineral projects in Quebec and British Columbia, Canada.  If you would like to be added to the news release distribution please get in touch with us at info@ashburtonventures.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed “Michael England”

Michael England, CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Telephone: 1-604-683-3995; Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770; www.ashburtonventures.com

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