Journal:Leaner and greener analysis of cannabinoids

Full article title	Leaner and greener analysis of cannabinoids
Journal	Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
Author(s)	Mudge, Elizabeth M.; Murch, Susan J.; Browb, Paula N.
Author affiliation(s)	British Columbia Institute of Technology, University of British Columbia
Primary contact	Email: Paula underscore brown at bcit dot ca
Year published	2017
Volume and issue	409(12)
Page(s)	3153–63
DOI	10.1007/s00216-017-0256-3
ISSN	1618-2650
Distribution license	Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Website	https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00216-017-0256-3
Download	https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs00216-017-0256-3.pdf (PDF)

Abstract

There is an explosion in the number of labs analyzing cannabinoids in marijuana (Cannabis sativa L., Cannabaceae); however, existing methods are inefficient, require expert analysts, and use large volumes of potentially environmentally damaging solvents. The objective of this work was to develop and validate an accurate method for analyzing cannabinoids in cannabis raw materials and finished products that is more efficient and uses fewer toxic solvents. A method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode-array detection (DAD) was developed for eight cannabinoids in Cannabis flowers and oils using a statistically guided optimization plan based on the principles of green chemistry. A single-laboratory validation determined the linearity, selectivity, accuracy, repeatability, intermediate precision, limit of detection, and limit of quantitation of the method. Amounts of individual cannabinoids above the limit of quantitation in the flowers ranged from 0.02 to 14.9% concentration (w/w), with repeatability ranging from 0.78 to 10.08% relative standard deviation. The intermediate precision determined using Horwitz ratios (HorRat) ranged from 0.3 to 2.0. The limits of quantitation (LoQs) for individual cannabinoids in flowers ranged from 0.02 to 0.17% w/w. This is a significant improvement over previous methods and is suitable for a wide range of applications, including regulatory compliance, clinical studies, direct patient medical services, and commercial suppliers.

Keywords: green chemistry, single-laboratory validation, Cannabis, cannabinoids, medical marijuana

Notes

This presentation is faithful to the original, with only a few minor changes to presentation. Some grammar and punctuation was cleaned up to improve readability. In some cases important information was missing from the references, and that information was added.