Cannabinoid Profile
Instrumentation

A chromatogram from an HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) analysis for cannabinoid separation and quantitation visually represents the separation of different cannabinoids present in a cannabis sample. In this process, the cannabis extract is passed through a column filled with a stationary phase under high pressure, while a solvent (mobile phase) carries the sample. Cannabinoids interact differently with the stationary phase, causing them to exit the column at different times.

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On the chromatogram, these exit times are depicted as peaks on a graph, where the x-axis typically represents the retention time (the time it takes for each compound to pass through the column) and the y-axis represents the detector response (indicating the concentration of the compounds). Each peak corresponds to a different cannabinoid, such as THC, CBD, CBG, etc.

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The position of the peak (its retention time) helps identify the cannabinoid, as each has a unique time at which it elutes from the column under specific conditions. The height or area of the peak correlates with the concentration of the cannabinoid in the sample—the larger the peak, the higher the concentration.

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Quantitation is achieved by comparing the peaks of the sample with those of known standards (cannabinoids of known concentrations) run under the same conditions. This allows for the accurate determination of the concentration of each cannabinoid within the sample, providing crucial data for potency testing and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.