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Discriminating different Cannabis sativa L. chemotypes using attenuated total reflectance - infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy: A proof of concept

2021; Elsevier BV; Volume: 204; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114270

1873-264X

Marco Cirrincione, Bruno Saladini, Virginia Brighenti, Stefano Salamone, Roberto Mandrioli, Federica Pollastro, Federica Pellati, Michele Protti, Laura Mercolini,

Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis

An original, innovative, high-throughput method based on attenuated total reflectance - Fourier's transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy has been developed for the proof-of-concept discrimination of fibre-type from drug-type Cannabis sativa L. inflorescences. The cannabis sample is placed on the instrument plate and analysed without any previous sample pretreatment step. In this way, a complete analysis lasts just a few seconds, the time needed to record an ATR-FTIR spectrum. The method was calibrated and cross-validated using data provided by liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis of the different cannabis samples and carried out the statistical assays for quantitation. During cross-validation, complete agreement was obtained between ATR-FTIR and LC–MS/MS identification of the cannabis chemotype. Moreover, the method has proved to be capable of quantifying with excellent accuracy (75–103 % vs. LC–MS/MS) seven neutral and acidic cannabinoids (THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA, CBG, CBGA, CBN) in inflorescences from different sources. The extreme feasibility and speed of execution make this ATR-FTIR method highly attractive as a proof-of-concept for a possible application to quality controls during pharmaceutical product manufacturing, as well as on-the-street cannabis controls and user counselling.