title: A preliminary study of the analysis of Cannabis by supercritical fluid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectroscopic detection.
abstract: A rapid method is described for the analysis of Cannabis products by supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectroscopic (APCI-MS) detection. The method had a shorter analysis time than GC-MS methods, without the need for derivatization prior to analysis. It was also faster than HPLC methods, with better resolution and definitive identification. Linearity of detector response to cannabidiol, delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinol was established, the detection limits for mass on column being 0.55 ng, 1.20 ng, 0.69 ng and 2.10 ng respectively. The technique offers a means by which Cannabis products can be definitively identified in a single chromatographic run. Application to casework samples is described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bäckström
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Carrott
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Coleman
mesh_terms: D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000032:analysis*; D002188:Cannabis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000032:analysis; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D013058:Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D013759:Dronabinol