Gas chromatographic analysis of naturally occurring cannabinoids: A review of literature published during the past decade

Abstract

Introduction Cannabinoids are organic compounds, natural or synthetic, that bind to the cannabinoid receptors and have similar pharmacological properties as produced by the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa. Gas chromatography (GC), e.g. gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS), is a popular analytical tool that has been used extensively to analyse cannabinoids in various matrices. Objective To review published literature on the use of various GC‐based analytical methods for the analysis of naturally occurring cannabinoids published during the past decade. Methodology A comprehensive literature search was performed utilising several databases, like Web of Knowledge, PubMed and Google Scholar, and other relevant published materials including published books. The keywords used, in various combinations, with cannabinoids being present in all combinations, in the search were cannabinoids, Cannabis sativa, marijuana, analysis, GC, quantitative, qualitative and quality control. Results During the past decade, several GC‐based methods for the analysis of cannabinoids have been reported. While simple one‐dimensional (1D) GC–MS and GC‐FID (flame ionisation detector) methods were found to be quite common in cannabinoids analysis, two‐dimensional (2D) GC–MS as well as GC–MS/MS also were popular because of their ability to provide more useful data for identification and quantification of cannabinoids in various matrices. Some degree of automation in sample preparation, and applications of mathematical and computational models for optimisation of different protocols were observed, and pre‐analyses included various derivatisation techniques, and environmentally friendly extraction protocols. Conclusions GC‐based analysis of naturally occurring cannabinoids, especially using GC–MS, has dominated the cannabinoids analysis in the last decade; new derivatisation methods, new ionisation methods, and mathematical models for method optimisation have been introduced.

A review on the recent advances in HPLC, UHPLC and UPLC analyses of naturally occurring cannabinoids (2010–2019)

“…Compounds that bind to the cannabinoid receptors (endocannabinoid system) and possess similar pharmacological properties as produced by the plant, Cannabis sativa L. are known as cannabinoids . Major naturally occurring cannabinoids are presented in Figure .…”

“…However, naturally occurring cannabinoids include over 113 different organic compounds, of which, Δ 9 ‐tetrahydrocannabinol ( 12 , Δ 9 ‐THC or simply, THC) and cannabidiol ( 3 , CBD) are the two major cannabinoids (Figure ), biosynthesised by C. staiva. 2 Furthermore, Δ 9 ‐THC ( 12 ) is the main contributor to the psychoactive property of C. sativa , but interestingly, the other major compound, cannabidiol ( 3 ), possesses antipsychoactive property . Natural cannabinoids, commonly known as phytocannabinoids, are mainly accumulated in a viscous resin produced predominantly in the glandular trichomes of C. sativa , and can be structurally grouped into at least eight major structural classes, i.e.…”

“…Natural cannabinoids, commonly known as phytocannabinoids, are mainly accumulated in a viscous resin produced predominantly in the glandular trichomes of C. sativa , and can be structurally grouped into at least eight major structural classes, i.e. cannabichromenes ( 1 , CBC), cannabicyclols ( 2 , CBL), cannabidiols ( 3 , CBD), cannabigerols ( 6 , CBG), cannabinols ( 8 , CBN), tetrahydrocannabinols ( 12 , THC), cannabielsoins, iso‐tetrahydrocannabinols and cannabicitrans , . Cannabinoids are of great interest for their therapeutic value as Cannabis is often indicated for the treatment of pain, glaucoma, nausea, depression, and neuralgia .…”

“…cannabichromenes ( 1 , CBC), cannabicyclols ( 2 , CBL), cannabidiols ( 3 , CBD), cannabigerols ( 6 , CBG), cannabinols ( 8 , CBN), tetrahydrocannabinols ( 12 , THC), cannabielsoins, iso‐tetrahydrocannabinols and cannabicitrans , . Cannabinoids are of great interest for their therapeutic value as Cannabis is often indicated for the treatment of pain, glaucoma, nausea, depression, and neuralgia . Medicinal Cannabis generally has a higher level of CBD (>20%) than THC (~1%), whereas recreational Cannabis contains higher amounts of THC (> 20%) than CBD (≈2%).…”

Quantification of Cannabinoids in Cannabis Oil Using GC/MS: Method Development, Validation, and Application to Commercially Available Preparations in Argentina

“…Several methods, based on GC [21][22][23][24] or LC [24][25][26] have been published for the determination of Δ 9 -THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids in cannabis oil. GC, one of the most used techniques for the quantitative analysis of cannabinoids in plant materials, has been in use for a long time.…”