Identification of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in Cannabis seeds by Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (ESI(-)FT-ICR MS)

Abstract

The identification of cannabinoids directly in seeds is very controversial. According to the Recommended Methods for the Identification and Analysis of Cannabis and Cannabis products, “the seeds themselves do not contain Δ⁹-THC”. It is defended the idea that the detection of Δ⁹-THC when it possibly occurs by contact of the seed with its bracts and/or flowers of the plant, which has a high content of this cannabinoid. In this paper, we reported a simple method of extraction and fast detection of Δ⁹-THC in the internal part of Cannabis seeds by negative-ion mode electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI(-)FT-ICR MS). Results showed that the method proposed allowed the chemotaxonomic forensic examination to prove the identification of Δ⁹-THC in Cannabis seeds.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i5.1149