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

Úrsula Escrivá; María Jesús Andrés-Costa; Vicente Andreu; Yolanda Picó

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.01.128

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.

Authors

Úrsula Escrivá¹, María Jesús Andrés-Costa², Vicente Andreu³, Yolanda Picó¹

Affiliations

¹ Environmental and Food Safety Research Group (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre CIDE (CSIC-UV-GV), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain.
² Environmental and Food Safety Research Group (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre CIDE (CSIC-UV-GV), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: m.jesus.andres@uv.es.
³ Lanscape Chemistry and Environmental Forensics Group, CIDE (CSIC-UV-GV), Carretera Moncada, Náquera, Km. 4.5, Moncada, 46113 Valencia, Spain.

PMID: 28317711
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.01.128

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 hemp seeds (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.

Keywords: Cannabinoids; Food of animal origin; Food safety; Hemp seed; LC–MS/MS; Solid-phase extraction.

MeSH terms

Animals
Cannabinoids / chemistry*
Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
Food Safety / methods*
Liver / chemistry*
Mass Spectrometry / methods*
Milk / chemistry*
Seeds / chemistry
Solid Phase Extraction / methods

Substances

Cannabinoids