Cloud point extraction of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol from cannabis resin

S. Ameur (1) , Boumediene Haddou (1) , Zoubir Derriche (1) , Jean-Paul Canselier (2) , Christophe Gourdon (2)

1 Laboratoire Physique-Chimie des Matériaux Catalyse et Environnement - LPCME (Oran, Algérie)
2 LGC - Laboratoire de Génie Chimique

A cloud point extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC/UV) method was developed for the determination of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in micellar phase. The nonionic surfactant "Dowfax 20B102" was used to extract and pre-concentrate THC from cannabis resin, prior to its determination with a HPLC-UV system (diode array detector) with isocratic elution. The parameters and variables affecting the extraction were investigated. Under optimum conditions (1 wt.% Dowfax 20B102, 1 wt.% Na2SO4, T=318 K, t=30 min), this method yielded a quite satisfactory recovery rate (~81%). The limit of detection was 0.04 μgmL−1, and the relative standard deviation was less than 2 %. Compared with conventional solid-liquid extraction, this new method avoids the use of volatile organic solvents, therefore is environmentally safer.

Mots clés: Cannabis; Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol; Cloud point extraction; Coacervate; HPLC; Diode array detector; Nonionic surfactant

Domaines: Chimie organique

S. Ameur, Boumediene Haddou, Zoubir Derriche, Jean-Paul Canselier, Christophe Gourdon. Cloud point extraction of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol from cannabis resin. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2013, vol. 405, pp. 3117-3123. ⟨10.1007/s00216-013-6743-2⟩. ⟨hal-00976845⟩