SBIR-STTR Award

The analysis of cannabinoids for research or screening for cannabis abuse requires methods capable of characterizing and quantifying metabolites of the cannabinoids which are generally polar or thermally unstable and which must be separated from a complex biological matrix. Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) is proposed as a method which is capable of providing high-resolution separation of polar or thermally labile compounds with optimum detection capability while requiring minimal preseparation. Advantages of using SFC arise from high solute diffusivity, low viscosity, and excellent solvation capability. This study intends to demonstrate the effectiveness of SFC in analysis of cannabinoid metabolites. To support the development of methods and SFC equipment for analysis of these polar compounds, research will be directed toward evaluation of bonded phase capillary columns, determination of metabolite solubility in various candidate supercritical fluids, determination of extraction profiles of metabolites, and a determination of conditions affecting sensitivity of SFC detectors proposed for development. The objective of this research is the development of methods and instrumentation which will be readily applied to research and screening activities and which are operable by research and clinical laboratory staff trained in standard GC or LC chromatographic techniques.

Thesaurus Terms:
Benzopyrans, Cannabinols, Chemistry, Analytical Methods, Physical Separation, Chromatography National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

The analysis of metabolites in body fluids from users of Cannabis is often difficult due to the polarity and thermal instability of these compounds. Current methods, when applicable, require extensive sample preparation and highly trained personnel, and there may be some ambiguity in determination. This research is designed to expand the applicability of supercritical fluid chromatography to actual clinical specimens and to develop explicit analytical protocols for the analysis of the cannabinoid metabolites.The development of these methods will include: (1) continued research into optimal detection systems, including the mass selective detector; (2) continued development of improved stationary phases and column technology, including the potential use of packed capillary and microbore columns; (3) the refinement and testing of a supercritical fluid extraction-supercritical fluid chromatography system; and (4) development and evaluation of analytical protocols for cannabinoids and related metabolites, including sensitivity, reproducibility, and recovery from actual clinical samples.

Thesaurus Terms:
Alkaloids, Cannabis, Benzopyrans, Cannabinols, Physical Separation, Chromatography, Gas, Physical Separation, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)