To Chemistry Journal (Aug 2018)

1H-NMR study of unheated and heated marijuana and hashish extracts from cannabis seizures in Egypt

  • Alaa El-Din Gaafar,
  • Omar Abdel -Salam,
  • Shaimaa ElShebiney,
  • Hend Ezzat

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1, no. 2

Abstract

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: Is to detect the presence of delta-9-tertrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids in samples of cannabis seized in Egypt with the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). Methods: Extracts of cannabis seizures were prepared from marijuana (the dried flowering tops and leaves) or from hashish (the compressed plant resin). Cannabis extraction was carried out on unheated or heated samples using either chloroform or methanol. 1H-NMR spectrum for cannabis extract was determined in CDCl3 with a JEOL ECA-500. Results: 1H-NMR indicate that the extracts of the cannabis samples contain THC as the major constituent. The 1H-NMR of heated cannabis extracts showed only THC while the 1H-NMR spectra of unheated extracts showed the presence of THC as a major compound beside minor fraction of cannabinol (CBN), both are decraboxylated. Conclusion: The 1H-NMR spectra indicate the presence of THC as the major compound.

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