High-end Sweets - Application of Ambient Mass Spectrometry for the Forensic Analysis of Cannabinoid-infused Complex Matrices

Description:
Recreational use of Cannabis sativa along with the myriad of products derived from Cannabis or prepared with cannabinoids has grown exponentially with the increased legalization and decriminalization of marijuana in the U.S at the state level. This has imposed major challenges related to the detection of CBD (cannabidiol), CBG (cannabigerol), and THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) contained in cannabinoid-infused products, because highly specialized methods must be developed for each type of complex matrix that is encountered. Current protocols for the analysis of complex materials are resource-intensive, time-consuming, and involve significant data analysis. To address some of these difficulties, this study focused on the application of direct analysis in real time – high-resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS) for the rapid analysis of CBD, CBG and THC in candies and baked goods prepared in-house for detection and differentiation purposes. When analyzed by DART-HRMS under soft ionization conditions, CBD and THC are indistinguishable, as they are isomers with a molecular formula of C21H30O2 and a protonated monoisotopic mass of 315.232. Therefore, the approach focused on devising a means by which to differentiate the two cannabinoids. The presence of the two compounds within complex matrices, such as foods, can be revealed by derivatization using N-Methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA). Interaction of the one -OH group in THC and the two -OH groups in CBD with the derivatizing agent results in the differentiation of the two cannabinoids due to the mass disparities of the protonated adducts formed (m/z 387.272 and 459.312 for THC and CBD, respectively). This approach also proved successful for the detection of CBG in candies. Optimization of these procedures will aid in the investigation of Cannabis sativa evidence in forensic laboratory settings.