Analysis of Cannabinoids in Lotions Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

Recently, topical products advertising cannabinoid ingredients have gained popularity. Consumers are seeing an increase of commercial products containing ingredients from hemp oil to cannabidiol (CBD) due to health benefit claims. Cosmetic products containing cannabinoids are currently not regulated at the federal level. A laboratory experiment for undergraduate students in analytical and organic chemistry courses was developed utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis to identify and quantify cannabinoid compounds present in commercially available topical products. Students used calibration curves of a cannabinoid standard to quantify cannabinoids present in the CBD products. By comparing relative retention times of the cannabinoids present in the standard, students were able to identify the cannabinoids present in their lotion sample. Responsibilities and assignments suit students ranging from introductory to advanced chemistry courses. Students are provided the opportunity to extract and experimentally calculate the amount of CBD and compare to the amounts advertised on product labels. Results showed that the average CBD amounts were higher than advertised for all lotions except CBDFx when analyzed using HPLC. This experiment can be modified to incorporate a variety of different topical water-based products including hair products, shampoo, and other cosmetics. Furthermore, an analysis of samples using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was also developed to adapt to instrument availability.

Uncovering the Importance of Peer-to-Peer Communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Rotating Chromatography Experiments to Overcome Limited Student Capacity

“…Cannabinoids' increased prevalence in consumer products makes them ideal analytes to facilitate student engagement. 29 From their benefit as medical treatments 30,31 to their legalization for recreational use, public interest in cannabis spans diverse student backgrounds and majors. 32 Both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinoid (THC) are linked to various topics in pharmacology, toxicology, and forensics.…”

“…Cannabinoids’ increased prevalence in consumer products makes them ideal analytes to facilitate student engagement . From their benefit as medical treatments , to their legalization for recreational use, public interest in cannabis spans diverse student backgrounds and majors .…”

Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Cannabis: Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratory Exercise

“…30,31 The paper "Analysis of Cannabinoids in Lotions Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography" by Quinõnes et al applies similar concepts, but HPLC was utilized for separation and students went further by creating a calibration curve to allow quantification of cannabinoids present in commercial lotions. 32 In the paper "Chemistry of Cannabis: An Interdisciplinary Course", Johnston describes the successful development and implementation of a course dedicated to cannabis chemistry. 33 There is therefore widespread interest in utilizing commercial product analysis and the chemistry of cannabis in modern chemistry curricula.…”

“…Several experiments utilizing GC–MS to obtain industrial, forensic, and/or environmentally significant data have been successfully implemented by educators to teach undergraduate students about this powerful instrument. Many other experiments have also been published that involve GC–MS analysis of commercial products, such as flavored rapeseed oil, volatile compounds used as fragrance and flavor additives, fatty acids present in commercial cooking oils and fats, caffeine in commercial beverages, xylitol in chewing gum, pesticides extracted from commercial plant foods, hemp fibers, and, perhaps most often, essential oils. , The paper “Analysis of Cannabinoids in Lotions Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography” by Quiñones et al applies similar concepts, but HPLC was utilized for separation and students went further by creating a calibration curve to allow quantification of cannabinoids present in commercial lotions . In the paper “Chemistry of Cannabis: An Interdisciplinary Course”, Johnston describes the successful development and implementation of a course dedicated to cannabis chemistry .…”

Inks in the Analytical Laboratory: A Forensics Activity for Undergraduate Students

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