The role of derivatization techniques in the analysis of plant cannabinoids by gas chromatography mass spectrometry

摘要

Derivatization is the most powerful contribution to the identification and quantification of plant cannabinoids (p-CBDs) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS): providing volatile derivatives with eminent properties (high selectivity, outstanding sensitivity and mass spectrometric peculiarities). These derivatives are excellent candidates to determine the main p-CBDs, like tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), tetrahydrocannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabicyclol (CBCL), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN),11.-hydroxy-Delta(9)-THC (11-OH-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH). Identification and quantification of p-CBDs is required - partly as trace constituents in complex biological matrices of drug users, partly as main components in seizure samples: in both cases, in extremely different ratios. GC proposals published between 2000 and 2017, along with outstanding pioneer contributions, are reviewed. Procedures, without derivatization and applying various alkylsilyl, acylation and/or esterification techniques were listed, compared and criticized. Further sorting was based on the reagent type, on examined matrices, on enrichment/detection related acquisition protocols and on analytical performance characteristics. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.