DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF AN LC-MS/MS METHOD FOR THE QUANTIFICATION OF SIX CANNABINOIDS IN COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

Cannabidiol (CBD) oils and products have become extremely popular in the last decade. These products are marketed as having different effects and are recommended for many chronic diseases. Various food supplements with CBD are now available on the market, but due to legislative lacks the declared concentration of CBD and other cannabinoids in the products is often significantly different compared with the real concentration. Products that don't meet quality criteria result from a lack of control and standardization. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an LC-MS/MS method for the routine quantification of cannabinoids in herbal drugs and food supplements. An LC-MS/MS method was developed using an UHPLC system coupled with a QTOF mass spectrometer, and the chromatographic separations were performed on a C18 column with isocratic elution, electrospray ionization in negative mode with a run-time of 10 minutes. According to the international guidelines, the method was validated concerning linearity, selectivity, stability, precision, and accuracy. Out of the ten tested products, in three of the supplements, significant differences were noticed in CBD concentration compared to the declared content. Other cannabinoids were also identified in some of the samples. This study raises awareness regarding insufficient controlled food supplements.