Method development for qualification and quantification of cannabinoids and terpenes in extracts by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract

Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors in cells. These receptors have different kinds of ligands, including endocannabinoids (produced in the body by humans and animals), phytocannabinoids (found mainly in Cannabis sativa), and synthetic cannabinoids. At least 85 different phytocannabinoids have been isolated; different cannabinoids are believed to have different effects and possible benefits in medical treatments, and it is therefore fundamental to classify cultivars prior to their medical use. The other class of compounds that characterize C.sativa are terpenes. They confer flavor and fragrance that are unique to each plant and further confer botanical differentiation of cultivars. Methods were developed for the potential to evaluate terpene and cannabinoid content in extracts of C. sativa. Quantification was performed by creating a calibration curve with the standards of the examined cannabinoids (THCV, CBD, CBC, Δ8-THC, CBG, CBN, Δ9-THC, and Δ9-THCA). The quantification of Δ9-THCA was carried out with both the products from the two different silylation agents. Terpenes were also quantified; considering the wide broad of terpenes in the C. sativa extracts, only the six most abundant ones (linalool, exo-fenchol, caryophyllene, guaiol, and α-bisabolol) were considered.