Analytical techniques used for analysis of cannabinoids

Abstract

Cannabinoids can be analyzed using different techniques. The aim of this review was to identify and compare analytical methods used for the determination of cannabinoids in different matrices using liquid chromatography (LC)-based systems. A systematic literature review was carried out using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method. In the results, 41 relevant articles were identified. The most commonly used methods for the analysis of cannabinoids were high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-DAD) (n= 8), ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS) (n= 8), and HPLC–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) (n= 8). Matrices from which cannabinoids were extracted included plants, oil, hair, human biological fluids, resin, honey, wastewater, and commercial products (n= 41). The most commonly used stationary phases were C18 Poroshell (n= 9) and C18 Kinetex (n= 8). The identification and comparison of methods used for the determination of cannabinoids can help in the development of more efficient and effective methods of analysis.