Major
Forensic Science
Anticipated Graduation Year
2022
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
The cannabis plant (Cannabis Sativa L.) produces a variety of compounds covering numerous chemical classes such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and terpenoids. Terpenes and terpenoids are responsible for the aroma characteristics and a variety of purported medical benefits. Terpenes are oligomers of isoprene units, whereas terpenoids are oxidized forms of terpenes. Analysis of these compounds is typically performed by Gas Chromatography (GC) via liquid injection or gas injection (Headspace). Due to the wide boiling point range of these compounds, operational cannabis laboratories most often perform the analysis using liquid injection. However, separation of the numerous and wide variety of compounds in the relatively short period of time needed for high throughput is challenging. We have determined that separation (selectivity) of terpenes and terpenoids commonly found in consumer products was improved by modifying GC column stationary phase chemistry. This improvement in selectivity will ultimately improve identification and quantitation of these compounds.
Community Partners
Loyola University Chicago
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
James V. DeFrancesco
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Cannabis Analysis III: Improved Separation of Terpenes and Terpenoids
The cannabis plant (Cannabis Sativa L.) produces a variety of compounds covering numerous chemical classes such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and terpenoids. Terpenes and terpenoids are responsible for the aroma characteristics and a variety of purported medical benefits. Terpenes are oligomers of isoprene units, whereas terpenoids are oxidized forms of terpenes. Analysis of these compounds is typically performed by Gas Chromatography (GC) via liquid injection or gas injection (Headspace). Due to the wide boiling point range of these compounds, operational cannabis laboratories most often perform the analysis using liquid injection. However, separation of the numerous and wide variety of compounds in the relatively short period of time needed for high throughput is challenging. We have determined that separation (selectivity) of terpenes and terpenoids commonly found in consumer products was improved by modifying GC column stationary phase chemistry. This improvement in selectivity will ultimately improve identification and quantitation of these compounds.