Terpenes profiling in Cannabis sativa L. from Lithuania by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

Abstract

Introduction The primary research focus of Cannabis sativa L. are cannabinoids which present abundance indications for medical treatment, however, they are not the only key compononets for the activity of cannabis extracts. [1] Terpenes play a significant role influencing some indications or inducing synergistical effects with cannabinoids. Terpenes shown many therapeutic effects like anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogen, sedative and plenty others. [1,2] Terpenes and chemical compositions of Cannabis sativa L. crucially depends on its agricultural environment and breed. Number of cultivars registered for the EU is 51. Since there are many different breeds it is important to find out their chemical constituents. [3] Two terpene profiles of different Cannabis sativa breeds (Fedora and Santhica) that grew up in Lithuania were compared in this research. Materials and Methods Cannabis sativa L. breeds Santhica and Fedora were collected from Joniškis, Lithuania. Both materials were air– dried and grinded separately. For oils extraction from raw materials hydrodistillation was used. 15,0 g of material was mixed with 500,0 ml distilled water and boiled on the oil bath (Heidolph) at 120 oC for 3 h. Essential oils were diluted with 1,0 ml cyclohexan and then this solution was used for further GC-MS analysis. Terpene analysis were conducted using a Shimadzu GC-MS – QP2010 Ultra with AOC – 5000 Plus autosampler, Restek Rxi – 5ms (Restek Corporation) capillary column (30 m long with 0,25 mm outer diameter and 0,25 μm liquid-stationary phase thickness) with a liquid stationary phase (5% diphenyl and 95% polysiloxane). The instrument and operating conditions were: split injection mode with 60,0 split ratio, Column Oven temp 50,0 oC, Injection temp 260,00 oC. Oven temperature program was 50 oC and 5,00 hold time, rate 2,00, 50 oC, 0,00 hold time, rate 15,00, 315,0 oC and 15,00 hold time. Main substances were determined by comparison with database mass spectra of com