Cannabis Sativa L.: a comprehensive review on the analytical methodologies for cannabinoids and terpenes characterization

The global Cannabis Sativa market, including essential oils, foods, personal-care products, and medical formulations has gained much attention over the last years due to the favorable regulatory framework. Undoubtedly, the enormous interest about cannabis cultivation mainly derives from the well-known pharmacological properties of cannabinoids and terpenes biosynthesized by the plants. In this review, the most recently used analytical methodologies for detecting both cannabinoids and terpenes are described. Well-established and innovative extraction protocols, and chromatographic separations, such as GC and HPLC, are reviewed highlighting their respective advantages and drawbacks. Lastly, GC x GC techniques are also reported for accurate identification and quantification of terpenes in complex cannabis matrices. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The global Cannabis Sativa market has attracted much attention in recent years due to the favorable regulatory framework. The interest in cannabis cultivation is mainly driven by the well-known pharmacological properties of cannabinoids and terpenes. This review discusses the most recently used analytical methodologies for detecting cannabinoids and terpenes, as well as established and innovative extraction protocols and chromatographic separations.