Analysis of cannabinoids by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in milk, liver and hemp seed to ensure food safety.

Food Chem. 2017 Aug 1;228:177-185. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.01.128. Epub 2017 Jan 28.

Escrivá Ú¹, Andrés-Costa MJ², Andreu V³, Picó Y¹.

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.

Author information

Abstract

A method for determining cannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahidrocannabinol (THC), 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ⁹-THC (THC-COOH) and 11-hidroxy-Δ⁹-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 (60mg). The developed method was validated according to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) ranged from 3.10-10.5ngg^-1 and 3.52-11.5ngg^-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 hempseeds (average 0.82μgg^-1) and three brands of junior formula milk at concentrations from 4.76 to 56.11ngg^-1. The developed method was suitable achieving identification and quantification of cannabinoids in food matrices.