Analysis of cannabinoids by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry in milk, liver and hemp seed to ensure food safety. (1st August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Escrivá, Úrsula; Andrés-Costa, María Jesús; Andreu, Vicente; Picó, Yolanda
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 228(2017)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 185
• Publication Date: 2017-08-01
• Subjects: Cannabinoids -- LC–MS/MS -- Solid-phase extraction -- Food safety -- Hemp seed -- Food of animal origin; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.01.128
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Highlights: Effective, rapid and cheap SPE and LC–MS/MS to determine cannabinoids in food. Methanol extraction and Oasis HLB SPE clean-up provides the best recoveries. THC in hemp seeds at concentrations lower than the maximum limit permitted in EU. THC detected in three samples of infant feeding milk. Abstract: A method for determining cannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahidrocannabinol (THC), 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ 9 -THC (THC-COOH) and 11-hidroxy-Δ 9 -THC (THC-OH) in milk, liver and hemp seeds based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry has been optimized and validated. Analytes were extracted with methanol and the extracts cleaned-up by solid-phase extraction using Oasis HLB (60 mg). The developed method was validated according to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) ranged from 3.10–10.5 ng g −1 and 3.52–11.5 ng g −1, the recoveries were 76–118% and matrix effect ranged from −17.8% to 19.9% in the three matrices studied. The method was applied to food samples obtaining positive results for THC in hemp seeds (average 0.82 μg g −1 ) and three brands of junior formula milk at concentrations from 4.76 to 56.11 ng g −1 . The developed method was suitable achieving identification and quantification of cannabinoids in food matrices.