Métodos cromatográficos optimizados para la identificación y cuantificación de terpenos en aceite de Cannabis sativa de uso medicinal

INTRODUCTION: Cannabis sativa is a plant species with numerous active principles, so the list of its therapeutic uses is expanding. In this regard, there are numerous scientific and clinical investigations of its derivatives. Among them, terpenes are the major volatile compounds of the oils and their participation in the medicinal properties of Cannabis is also being studied. Thus, as more countries contemplate the legalization and authorization of medical cannabis, the number of cannabis extraction and analysis laboratories is increasing to meet the demand, requiring adequate analytical tools. METHODOLOGY: In response to numerous inquiries from physicians, researchers, and analytical and forensic laboratories, the PROBIEN's chromatography laboratory has optimized two methods for the analysis of terpenes in Cannabis oil by gas chromatography technique (GC-FID). The methods are described using HP-5 and Innowax columns. The external standard method was used for the quantitative determination of β-Pinene, Myrcene, p-Cymene, Limonene, Linalool, α-Terpineol, Nerol and Geraniol. RESULTS: good peak separation and reproducibility were observed, appropriate for the identification and quantification of the main terpenes in Cannabis extracts. The area/concentration ratio was linear in the range of 0.0005 to 2.0 mg/ml. MAIN CONCLUSION: The described methods allow the identification and quantification of the major terpenes in Cannabis oil for an adequate quality control.