Luca De Prato1,2, Matthew Timmins3, Omid Ansari4,5, Katinka X Ruthrof6,7, Giles E St J Hardy6, John Howieson6, Graham O'Hara6. 1. Food Future Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia. L.DePrato@murdoch.edu.au. 2. Medicann Health Aust Pty Ltd., South Perth, Western Australia, 6151, Australia. L.DePrato@murdoch.edu.au. 3. Solarbike, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160, Australia. 4. Ecofibre Ltd., PO Box 108, Virginia, Queensland, 4014, Australia. 5. Ananda Food Pty Ltd., Beresfield, New South Wales, 2322, Australia. 6. Food Future Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia. 7. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, Western Australia, 6151, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a producer of cannabinoids. These organic compounds are of increasing interest due to their potential applications in the medicinal field. Advances in analytical methods of identifying and quantifying these molecules are needed. METHOD: This study describes a new method of cannabinoid separation from plant material using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as the analytical tool to detect low abundance cannabinoids that will likely have implications for future therapeutical treatments. A novel approach was adopted to separate trichomes from plant material to analyse cannabinoids of low abundance not observed in raw plant extract. Required plant sample used for analysis was greatly reduced compared to other methods. Derivatisation method was simplified and deconvolution software was utilised to recognise unknown cannabinoid compounds of low abundance. RESULTS: The method produces well-separated spectra and allows the detection of major and minor cannabinoids. Ten cannabinoids that had available standards could be identified and quantified and numerous unidentified cannabinoids or pathway intermediates based on GC-MS spectra similarities could be extracted and analysed simultaneously with this method. CONCLUSIONS: This is a rapid novel extraction and analytical method from plant material that can identify major and minor cannabinoids using a simple technique. The method will be of use to future researchers seeking to study the multitude of cannabinoids whose values are currently not understood.
BACKGROUND: Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a producer of cannabinoids. These organic compounds are of increasing interest due to their potential applications in the medicinal field. Advances in analytical methods of identifying and quantifying these molecules are needed. METHOD: This study describes a new method of cannabinoid separation from plant material using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as the analytical tool to detect low abundance cannabinoids that will likely have implications for future therapeutical treatments. A novel approach was adopted to separate trichomes from plant material to analyse cannabinoids of low abundance not observed in raw plant extract. Required plant sample used for analysis was greatly reduced compared to other methods. Derivatisation method was simplified and deconvolution software was utilised to recognise unknown cannabinoid compounds of low abundance. RESULTS: The method produces well-separated spectra and allows the detection of major and minor cannabinoids. Ten cannabinoids that had available standards could be identified and quantified and numerous unidentified cannabinoids or pathway intermediates based on GC-MS spectra similarities could be extracted and analysed simultaneously with this method. CONCLUSIONS: This is a rapid novel extraction and analytical method from plant material that can identify major and minor cannabinoids using a simple technique. The method will be of use to future researchers seeking to study the multitude of cannabinoids whose values are currently not understood.
Authors: Elsayed A Ibrahim; Mei Wang; Mohamed M Radwan; Amira S Wanas; Chandrani G Majumdar; Baharthi Avula; Yan-Hong Wang; Ikhlas A Khan; Suman Chandra; Hemant Lata; Ghada M Hadad; Randa A Abdel Salam; Amany K Ibrahim; Safwat A Ahmed; Mahmoud A ElSohly Journal: Planta Med Date: 2019-01-15 Impact factor: 3.352