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Home / Applications / Combined SFC-MS System Analysis of Cannabinoid Potency and Terpene Analysis

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Combined SFC-MS System Analysis of Cannabinoid Potency and Terpene Analysis

By Heather Haffner

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August 15, 2022

Introduction

As countries and states in the U.S. continue to legalize medicinal and recreational marijuana use, there is a need for a simple and reliable analysis method to determine the cannabinoid levels for growers and testing labs. This method would not only allow potency determination for quality control, but also provide growers important information to monitor their process and product. For testing labs, short analysis times are imperative as the sample quantities are sure to increase as the market grows.

Currently terpene analysis is performed by gas chromatography requiring a second instrument increasing the lab operation cost. Here we show how this can be overcome by also performing the terpene analysis on the SFC showing the versatility of one instrument doing the job of two. With the addition of a mass spectrometer, identity confirmation of the cannabinoids and terpenes can be achieved.

Preparative SFC is often the preferred technique for preparative purifications for its short analysis times, low solvent consumption and easy fraction recovery. The use of a semi-prep SFC-MS in this application provides analytical analysis of cannabinoids and terpenes with identification using Mass Spec. and the direct scale-up to purification of the cannabinoids using Mass directed fraction collection.

Experimental

The cannabinoid standard consisting of the cannabinoids shown in figure 1 was obtained from Cayman Chemicals. The terpenes sample containing 19 terpenes was obtained from Restek. The columns used were Lux Cellulose-2 (5um 4.6 x 250mm), IB N-5 (5um, 4.6 x 250mm) and Finepak SIL C18 (5um, 4.6 x 150mm) for the separations using a Carbon Dioxide and Ethanol. The JASCO SFC-4000 with Advion CMS L Mass Spectrometer was used for the analysis.

Cannabinoid Structures
Figure 1. 10 cannabinoid structures.

Keywords

SFC 2018, SFC, SFC-MS, Mass Spectrometer

Results

The 10 cannabinoids are separated and identified in less than 10 minutes as shown in figure 2. This has been established and scaled up for preparative purification for individual cannabinoid standards or for modifications to the mixture for different applications.

Chromatogram of the cannabinoid standards on Lux Cellulose-2
Figure 2. Chromatogram of the cannabinoid standards on Lux Cellulose-2.

For terpenes, the results of the parallel 4 column screening of 12 columns is shown below in Figure 3. A variety of columns were used with the names listed above each chromatogram. Most columns showed little retention/separation with the exception of the two columns IB N-5 and SIL C18.

Parallel column screening results of the 19 terpenes
Figure 3. Parallel column screening results of the 19 terpenes.

The chromatograms of the separation of the terpene standard on the IB N-5 and SIL C18 columns are shown below in figure 4. The IB N-5 does not separate the early eluting terpenes, but does separate the later eluting. The SIL C18 column provides the opposite with better retention of the early eluting, but less retention of the later eluting terpenes.

Chromatogram of the terpene mixture. Top column is IB N-5 column. Bottom column is Finepak SIL C18
Figure 4. Chromatogram of the terpene mixture. Top column is IB N-5 column. Bottom column is Finepak SIL C18.

With the ability to pair columns on-line in SFC to either increase effective column length or to change the retention behavior, a combination of the 2 columns was used. Two SIL C18 (5um, 4.6 x 150mm) and one IB N-5 (5um, 4.6 x 250mm) we combined. The resulting the chromatogram is shown below in figure 5 and provides the advantage of each column into one separation. Both the early and late eluting terpenes are better resolved allowing for identification of 17 of the 19 terpenes via UV using various wavelengths.

Chromatogram of the terpene mixture on a combined column setup of SIL C18 - SIL C18 – IB N-5
Figure 5. Chromatogram of the terpene mixture on a combined column setup of SIL C18 – SIL C18 – IB N-5.

The mass spectrometer TIC is shown below and stacked above the 210nm chromatogram showing the coinciding signal from each for the terpenes. Additional terpenes that were not seen on the UV appear on the mass spec. TIC between minutes 5 and 6.

Stacked chromatogram of the terpenes standard. Top is the TIC and the bottom is UV at 210nm.
Figure 6. Stacked chromatogram of the terpenes standard. Top is the TIC and the bottom is UV at 210nm..

Conclusion

The successfully separation of terpenes on SFC widens the application of SFC to the cannabis industry. This terpene analysis adds to the ability for SFC to rapidly separate and determine the potency of the cannabinoids and purify those individual cannabinoids. The semi-prep SFC provides rapid parallel analytical column screening, scale-up to purifications and powerful identification or fraction triggering when combined with the mass spectrometer.

This document has been prepared based on information available at the time of publication and is subject to revision without notice. Although the contents are checked with the utmost care, we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. JASCO Corporation assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any information contained in this document. Copyright and other intellectual property rights in this document remain the property of JASCO Corporation. Please do not attempt to copy, modify, redistribute, or sell etc. in whole or in part without prior written permission.

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About the Author

JASCO Application Note

Combined SFC-MS System Analysis of Cannabinoid Potency and Terpene Analysis

Introduction

As countries and states in the U.S. continue to legalize medicinal and recreational marijuana use, there is a need for a simple and reliable analysis method to determine the cannabinoid levels for growers and testing labs. This method would not only allow potency determination for quality control, but also provide growers important information to monitor their process and product. For testing labs, short analysis times are imperative as the sample quantities are sure to increase as the market grows.

Currently terpene analysis is performed by gas chromatography requiring a second instrument increasing the lab operation cost. Here we show how this can be overcome by also performing the terpene analysis on the SFC showing the versatility of one instrument doing the job of two. With the addition of a mass spectrometer, identity confirmation of the cannabinoids and terpenes can be achieved.

Preparative SFC is often the preferred technique for preparative purifications for its short analysis times, low solvent consumption and easy fraction recovery. The use of a semi-prep SFC-MS in this application provides analytical analysis of cannabinoids and terpenes with identification using Mass Spec. and the direct scale-up to purification of the cannabinoids using Mass directed fraction collection.

Experimental

The cannabinoid standard consisting of the cannabinoids shown in figure 1 was obtained from Cayman Chemicals. The terpenes sample containing 19 terpenes was obtained from Restek. The columns used were Lux Cellulose-2 (5um 4.6 x 250mm), IB N-5 (5um, 4.6 x 250mm) and Finepak SIL C18 (5um, 4.6 x 150mm) for the separations using a Carbon Dioxide and Ethanol. The JASCO SFC-4000 with Advion CMS L Mass Spectrometer was used for the analysis.

Cannabinoid Structures
Figure 1. 10 cannabinoid structures.

Results

The 10 cannabinoids are separated and identified in less than 10 minutes as shown in figure 2. This has been established and scaled up for preparative purification for individual cannabinoid standards or for modifications to the mixture for different applications.

Chromatogram of the cannabinoid standards on Lux Cellulose-2
Figure 2. Chromatogram of the cannabinoid standards on Lux Cellulose-2.

For terpenes, the results of the parallel 4 column screening of 12 columns is shown below in Figure 3. A variety of columns were used with the names listed above each chromatogram. Most columns showed little retention/separation with the exception of the two columns IB N-5 and SIL C18.

Parallel column screening results of the 19 terpenes
Figure 3. Parallel column screening results of the 19 terpenes.

The chromatograms of the separation of the terpene standard on the IB N-5 and SIL C18 columns are shown below in figure 4. The IB N-5 does not separate the early eluting terpenes, but does separate the later eluting. The SIL C18 column provides the opposite with better retention of the early eluting, but less retention of the later eluting terpenes.

Chromatogram of the terpene mixture. Top column is IB N-5 column. Bottom column is Finepak SIL C18
Figure 4. Chromatogram of the terpene mixture. Top column is IB N-5 column. Bottom column is Finepak SIL C18.

With the ability to pair columns on-line in SFC to either increase effective column length or to change the retention behavior, a combination of the 2 columns was used. Two SIL C18 (5um, 4.6 x 150mm) and one IB N-5 (5um, 4.6 x 250mm) we combined. The resulting the chromatogram is shown below in figure 5 and provides the advantage of each column into one separation. Both the early and late eluting terpenes are better resolved allowing for identification of 17 of the 19 terpenes via UV using various wavelengths.

Chromatogram of the terpene mixture on a combined column setup of SIL C18 - SIL C18 – IB N-5
Figure 5. Chromatogram of the terpene mixture on a combined column setup of SIL C18 – SIL C18 – IB N-5.

The mass spectrometer TIC is shown below and stacked above the 210nm chromatogram showing the coinciding signal from each for the terpenes. Additional terpenes that were not seen on the UV appear on the mass spec. TIC between minutes 5 and 6.

Stacked chromatogram of the terpenes standard. Top is the TIC and the bottom is UV at 210nm.
Figure 6. Stacked chromatogram of the terpenes standard. Top is the TIC and the bottom is UV at 210nm..

Conclusion

The successfully separation of terpenes on SFC widens the application of SFC to the cannabis industry. This terpene analysis adds to the ability for SFC to rapidly separate and determine the potency of the cannabinoids and purify those individual cannabinoids. The semi-prep SFC provides rapid parallel analytical column screening, scale-up to purifications and powerful identification or fraction triggering when combined with the mass spectrometer.

Keywords

SFC 2018, SFC, SFC-MS, Mass Spectrometer

This document has been prepared based on information available at the time of publication and is subject to revision without notice. Although the contents are checked with the utmost care, we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. JASCO Corporation assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any information contained in this document. Copyright and other intellectual property rights in this document remain the property of JASCO Corporation. Please do not attempt to copy, modify, redistribute, or sell etc. in whole or in part without prior written permission.
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