Terpenoid Profiling of Thai Strain Cannabis Leaves (Cannabis sativa L. subsp. sativa) by Headspace (HS) Couple with GC/MS

Abstract

Introduction: Cannabis terpenoids, especially volatile terpenes, were used for the classification of cannabis strains. The leaves of Cannabis sativa L. subsp. sativa Thai strain ‘Hang Krarok’ are used legally in traditional Thai medicines, cosmetics, and food ingredients in Thailand under the control of the tetrahydrocannabinol (if lower than 0.2% dry weight). One of the specific characteristics of this plant is the volatile oil which consists of mono-and the sesqui-terpenoids. Materials and methods: Fresh cannabis leaves were ground and 1 g samples were kept in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry glass vials at 4 °C prior to measurement using headspace. Results: More than 50 terpenoids were identified from the fresh leaves in the cannabis samples. The major compounds were ?–ocimene, L–limonene, terpinolene, p–cymenene, ?–(E)–caryophyllene, (Z,E)–?–farnesene, ?–bisabolene, and (E)–?–bisabolene. Conclusion: The variation in the unique terpenoids in the Thai strain could be used in novel medicines and food and cosmetic products.

Keywords

• Cannabis sativa
• terpenoids
• Headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS)