Development of a Novel Microwave Distillation Technique for the Isolation of <i>Cannabis sativa</i> L. Essential Oil and Gas Chromatography Analyses for the Comprehensive Characterization of Terpenes and Terpenoids, Including Their Enantio-Distribution
Giuseppe Micalizzi,
Filippo Alibrando,
Federica Vento,
Emanuela Trovato,
Mariosimone Zoccali,
Paolo Guarnaccia,
Paola Dugo,
Luigi Mondello
Affiliations
Giuseppe Micalizzi
Chromaleont s.r.l., c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Palatucci, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
Filippo Alibrando
Chromaleont s.r.l., c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Palatucci, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
Federica Vento
Chromaleont s.r.l., c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Palatucci, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
Emanuela Trovato
Chromaleont s.r.l., c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Palatucci, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
Mariosimone Zoccali
Department of Mathematical and Computer Science, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
Paolo Guarnaccia
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, via Valdisavoia 5, 95123 Catania, Italy
Paola Dugo
Chromaleont s.r.l., c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Palatucci, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
Luigi Mondello
Chromaleont s.r.l., c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Palatucci, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
A microwave distillation method was optimized for the extraction and isolation of cannabis essential oil from fresh and dried hemp inflorescences. The developed method enabled us to obtain a distilled product rich in terpenes and terpenoid compounds, responsible of the typical and unique smell of the cannabis plant. The distillate from different hemp cultivars, including Kompolti, Futura 75, Carmagnola, Felina 32 and Finola were characterized by using a gas chromatograph equipped with both mass spectrometer and flame ionization detectors. In a single chromatographic run, the identity and absolute amounts of distilled compounds were determined. Peak assignment was established using a reliable approach based on the usage of two identification parameters, named reverse match, and linear retention index filter. Absolute quantification (mg g−1) of the analytes was performed using an internal standard method applying the flame ionization detector (FID) response factors according to each chemical family. An enantio-GC-MS method was also developed in order to evaluate the enantiomeric distribution of chiral compounds, an analytical approach commonly utilized for establishing the authenticity of suspicious samples.
