A new study published in the Journal of Chromatography B highlights a rigorous approach to identifying and quantifying cannabis terpenes and terpenoids, critical secondary metabolites that are believed to play a role in the entourage effect when combined with cannabinoids.
The study addresses a key issue in the accurate quantification of terpenes, which are responsible for the distinct aroma of cannabis flowers and potentially contribute to their therapeutic effects.
Researchers developed a precise gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method to study five commercial cannabis strains produced by Bedrocan International. These strains range from CBD-dominant to THC-dominant.
“Numerous analytical studies have been carried out to characterize the terpene and terpenoid contents of some cannabis varieties, but they have not proposed any real quantification or have described a limited number of analytical standards or average response factors, which may have led to over- or underestimation of the real content of the cannabis flowers”, states the study’s researchers. “Real and reliable quantification is necessary to justify the entourage effect.”
In this study, researchers “report a rigorous and precise GC-FID and GC-MS method for the identification and quantification of cannabis terpenes and terpenoids. This method is distinguished by the use of a high number of analytical standards, the determination of retention indices for all compounds studied, an exhaustive comparison of databases and scientific literature, the use of relevant response factors, and internal calibration for reliable results.”
The method was applied to the study of terpenic compounds in five commercial varieties of medicinal cannabis produced by Bedrocan International: a CBD-rich (Bedrolite), a THC/CBD balanced (Bediol), and three THC-dominant (Bedrocan, Bedica and Bedrobinol).
One of the distinguishing features of this study is the use of 23 analytical standards for terpenes and terpenoids, a significant improvement over previous studies that often relied on a more limited number of standards. The researchers used internal calibration and determined retention indices for all compounds studied, ensuring that their quantification of terpenes is both reliable and accurate.
The study also highlights the importance of choosing the correct extraction solvent. Both ethanol and hexane were used to assess their selectivity for target molecules, with the goal of providing the most comprehensive profile of terpenic compounds in the five cannabis varieties. The researchers concluded that the selection of solvent and the accuracy of the analysis method are essential for obtaining reliable results.
Ultimately, this work underscores the need for accurate quantification of terpenes and terpenoids to support research into the entourage effect. By improving the precision of terpene analysis, this study may help further validate the synergistic interactions between cannabinoids and terpenes, a key area of interest for therapeutic cannabis research.
The study’s full abstract can be found below:
Cannabis terpenes and terpenoids are among the major classes of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites of therapeutic interest. Indeed, these hydrocarbon molecules, responsible for the characteristic aroma of cannabis flowers, are thought to be involved in a synergistic effect known as the “entourage effect”, together with cannabinoids. Numerous analytical studies have been carried out to characterize the terpene and terpenoid contents of some cannabis varieties, but they have not proposed any real quantification or have described a limited number of analytical standards or average response factors, which may have led to over- or underestimation of the real content of the cannabis flowers. Real and reliable quantification is necessary to justify the entourage effect. Here, we report a rigorous and precise GC-FID and GC-MS method for the identification and quantification of cannabis terpenes and terpenoids. This method is distinguished by the use of a high number of analytical standards, the determination of retention indices for all compounds studied, an exhaustive comparison of databases and scientific literature, the use of relevant response factors, and internal calibration for reliable results. It was applied to the study of terpenic compounds in five commercial varieties of medicinal cannabis produced by Bedrocan International: a CBD-rich (Bedrolite®), a THC/CBD balanced (Bediol®), and three THC-dominant (Bedrocan®, Bedica® and Bedrobinol®). Two extraction solvents are described (ethanol and hexane) to compare their selectivity towards target molecules, and to describe as exhaustively as possible the terpenic profile of the five pharmaceutical-grade varieties. Twenty-three standards were used for accurate dosages. This work highlights that the choice of solvent and the analysis method reliability are critical for the study of these terpenic compounds, regarding their contribution to the entourage effect.
