The LC-UV method shown in this application note from Restek uses a Raptor ARC-18 column to fully resolve 16 major and most frequently observed minor cannabinoids for which commercial standards are available.
As the cannabis market grows, interest in more detailed analysis of cannabinoid profiles is expanding because more comprehensive data can be used for strain identification as well as to ensure more accurate potency testing. More than 100 cannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis to date, and these compounds can interfere with the five most commonly analysed cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and cannabinol (CBN).
Baseline separation ensures positive identification and accurate quantitation. All compounds were resolved in a fast 9-minute analysis, making this method suitable for high-throughput cannabis testing labs. In addition, this analysis uses a simple isocratic mobile phase so it is more easily transferable between instruments, compared to more complex methods that incorporate atypical mobile phase gradients or additives.