Comparison of the Cannabinoid and Terpene Profiles in Commercial Cannabis from Natural and Artificial Cultivation

Simultaneous quantification of terpenes and cannabinoids by reversed-phase LC-APCI-MS/MS in Cannabis sativa L. samples combined with a subsequent chemometric analysis

Cannabis sativa L. has been the most discussed medicinal plant in recent years. In particular, the dynamic shift from a formerly illicit and tightly controlled substance to a plant recognized for both medicinal and recreational purposes has brought C. sativa into the global spotlight. Due to the ongoing international legalization processes, fast and convenient analytical methods for the quality control of C. sativa flowers for medicinal and recreational purposes are of tremendous interest. In this study, we report the development and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based method applying atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) to fully quantify 16 terpenes and 7 cannabinoids including their acidic forms by a single chromatographic method. The method presented here is unique and simple, as it eliminates the need for derivatization reactions and includes the unconventional analysis of volatile compounds by liquid chromatography. Samples were prepared by a simple and fast ethanolic extraction. Separation was accomplished within 25 min on a reversed-phase C18 column. Method validation was conducted according to international guidelines regarding selectivity, accuracy, precision, robustness, and linearity. Detection was done in multiple reaction monitoring, which allowed the simultaneous quantification of co-eluting analytes applying two selective mass transitions. In addition, due to reproducible in-source decarboxylation, the acidic forms of cannabinoids were reliably quantified using mass transitions of the neutral forms. The accuracy given as the bias was below 15% for all analytes. Matrix effects for cannabinoids were studied by spiking Humulus lupulus extracts with the analytes at varying concentrations. APCI did not show susceptibility toward ion suppression or enhancement. In addition, the recovery effect after spiking was between 80 and 120% for terpenes. Further, 55 authentic C. sativa extracts were fully quantified, and the obtained results for the terpene profiles were compared to state-of-the-art gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection. Comparable results were achieved, emphasizing the method's applicability for cannabinoids and terpenes. Further, acquired metabolite patterns for C. sativa samples were studied, identifying a relationship between cannabinoid and terpene patterns, as well as the abundance of myrcene in CBD-dominant C. sativa strains.

Opportunities, Challenges, and Scientific Progress in Hemp Crops

The resurgence of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) has been propelled by changes in the legal framework governing its cultivation and use, increased demand for hemp-derived products, and studies recognizing the industrial and health benefits of hemp. This has led to the creation of novel high-cannabidiol, low-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol varieties, enabling hemp crop expansion worldwide. This review elucidates the recent implications for hemp cultivation in Europe, with a focus on the legislative impacts on the cultivation practices, prospective breeding efforts, and dynamic scientific landscape surrounding this crop. We also review the current cultivars' cannabinoid composition of the European hemp market and its major differences with that of the United States.

Antimicrobial, Probiotic, and Immunomodulatory Potential of Cannabis sativa Extract and Delivery Systems

The compounds present in hemp show multidirectional biological activity. It is related to the presence of secondary metabolites, mainly cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, and the synergy of their biological activity. The aim of this study was to assess the activity of the Henola Cannabis sativae extract and its combinations with selected carriers (polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer, magnesium aluminometasilicate, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin) in terms of antimicrobial, probiotic, and immunobiological effects. As a result of the conducted research, the antimicrobial activity of the extract was confirmed in relation to the following microorganisms: Clostridium difficile, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pyrogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aereuginosa, and Candida albicans (microorganism count was reduced from ~102 CFU mL-1 to <10 CFU mL-1 in most cases). Additionally, for the system with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, a significant probiotic potential against bacterial strains was established for strains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Streptococcus thermophilus (microorganism count was increased from ~102 to 104-107). In terms of immunomodulatory properties, it was determined that the tested extract and the systems caused changes in IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels.

Application of gas chromatography in the analysis of phytocannabinoids: An update (2020-2023)

INTRODUCTION

Cannabinoids are a group of compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors. They possess pharmacological properties like that of the plant Cannabis sativa. Gas chromatography (GC) is one of the popular chromatographic techniques that has been routinely used in the analysis of cannabinoids in different matrices.

OBJECTIVE

The article aims to review the literature on the application of GC-based analytical methods for the analysis of phytocannabinoids published during the period from January 2020 to August 2023.

METHODOLOGY

A thorough literature search was conducted using different databases, like Web of Knowledge, PubMed, 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. From the search results, only the publications that incorporate the GC analysis of phytocannabinoids were reviewed, and papers on synthetic cannabinoids were excluded.

RESULTS

Since the publication of the review article on GC analysis of phytocannabinoids in early 2020, several GC-based methods for the analysis of phytocannabinoids have appeared in the literature. While simple 1D GC-mass spectrometry (MS) and GC-flame ionisation detector (FID) methods are still quite common in phytocannabinoids analysis, 2D GC-MS and GC-MS/MS are increasingly becoming popular, as these techniques offer more useful data for identification and quantification of phytocannabinoids in various matrices. The use of automation in sample preparation and the utilisation of mathematical and computational models for optimisation of different protocols have become a norm in phytocannabinoids analysis. Pre-analyses have been found to incorporate different derivatisation techniques and environmentally friendly extraction protocols.

CONCLUSIONS

GC-based analysis of phytocannabinoids, especially using GC-MS, remains one of the most preferred methods for the analysis of these compounds. New derivatisation methods, ionisation techniques, mathematical models, and computational approaches for method optimisation have been introduced.

Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Cannabinoid, Terpene, and Moisture Content of Cannabis Biomass

In recent years, cannabis has been proposed and promoted not only as a medicine for the treatment of a variety of illnesses, but also as an industrial crop for different purposes. Being an agricultural product, cannabis inflorescences may be contaminated by environmental pathogens at high concentrations, which might cause health problems if not controlled. Therefore, limits have to be placed on the levels of aerobic bacteria as well as yeast and mold. To ensure the safety of cannabis plant material and related products, a remediation process has to be put in place. Gamma irradiation is a sterilization process mainly used for pharmaceuticals, foods, cosmetics, agricultural, and herbal products including cannabis plant material. This study was designed to determine the effect of irradiation on the microbial count as well as on the chemical and physical profiles of the cannabis biomass, particularly cannabinoids, terpenes, and moisture content. The full cannabinoid profile was measured by GC/FID and HPLC analysis, while terpene profile and moisture content were determined using GC/MS and Loss on Drying (LoD) methods, respectively. Analyses were conducted on the samples before and after gamma irradiation. The results showed that the minimum and maximum doses were 15 and 20.8 KiloGray (KGY), respectively. Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC) and Total Yeast and Mold Count (TYMC) were determined. The study showed that irradiation has no effect on the cannabinoids and little effect on terpenes and moisture content, but it did result in the virtual sterilization of the plant material, as evidenced by the low levels of bacterial and fungal colony-forming units (CFUs) < 10 after gamma irradiation.

Determining Antioxidant Activity of Cannabis Leaves Extracts from Different Varieties-Unveiling Nature's Treasure Trove

Cannabis leaves contain a diverse range of antioxidants, including cannabinoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, which offer significant health benefits. Utilising cannabis leaves as a source of antioxidants presents a cost-effective approach because they are typically discarded during the cultivation of cannabis plants for their seeds or fibres. Therefore, this presented study aimed to assess the antioxidant activity of the leaves of selected hemp cultivars, such as Białobrzeska, Tygra, and Henola, based on the results obtained with the 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, ferric reducing antioxidant power, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assays. The cannabinoid profile was analysed for the antioxidant activity to the contents of cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), and cannabichromene (CBC), determined based on chromatographic assays. The following variables were tested: the impact of various extractants (methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol), and their mixtures (50:50, v/v, as well as extraction methods (maceration and ultra-sound-assisted extraction) significant in obtaining hemp extracts characterised by different cannabinoid profiles. The results revealed that the selection of extractant and extraction conditions significantly influenced the active compounds' extraction efficiency and antioxidant activity. Among the tested conditions, ultrasound-assisted extraction using methanol yielded the highest cannabinoid profile: CBD = 184.51 ± 5.61; CBG = 6.10 ± 0.21; Δ9-THC = 0.51 ± 0.01; and CBC = 0.71 ± 0.01 μg/g antioxidant potential in Białobrzeska leaf extracts.

Bergamotenes: A comprehensive compile of their natural occurrence, biosynthesis, toxicity, therapeutic merits and agricultural applications

Sesquiterpenoids constitute the largest subgroup of terpenoids that have numerous applications in pharmaceutical, flavor, and fragrance industries as well as biofuels. Bergamotenes, a type of bicyclic sesquiterpenes, are found in plants, insects, and fungi with α-trans-bergamotene as the most abundant compound. Bergamotenes and their related structures (Bergamotane sesquiterpenoids) have been shown to possess diverse biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and insecticidal effects. However, studies on their biotechnological potential are still limited. This review compiles the characteristics of bergamotenes and their related structures in terms of occurrence, biosynthesis pathways, and biological activities. It further discusses their functionalities and potential applications in pharmaceutical, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and pest management sectors. This review also opens novel perspectives in identifying and harnessing bergamotenes for pharmaceutical and agricultural purposes.