Characterizing the chemical composition of cannabis is a crucial task in the industry, and one method that holds promise is nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. While NMR was once considered complex and challenging to grasp, advancements in technology have made it more accessible and user-friendly. Additionally, various tools are available to help interpret the data generated by NMR. The potential widespread use of NMR in the cannabis industry will depend on these factors. It’s worth noting that extensive knowledge of organic chemistry is not necessary to harness the power of NMR in this context.
NMR has the capability to provide a comprehensive chemical profile of the cannabis plant. Peter de B. Harrington, Director of the Center for Intelligent Chemical Instrumentation at Ohio University, explains that NMR can produce a “fingerprint” of the chemical profiles present in cannabis samples. By utilizing pattern recognition techniques, researchers can differentiate between different cultivars of cannabis. The speed and stability of NMR make it an attractive option for testing cannabis extracts.
One advantage of NMR is its capacity to save time during data analysis. Instead of quantifying individual peaks, which is a metabolomic approach, scientists can rely on the NMR spectrum itself as a unique identifier. This approach reduces time and cost significantly. Through pattern recognition techniques, specific peaks associated with pharmacological properties, geographical origin, strain, hybridization, or quality can be identified and quantified from the vast amount of data generated by NMR.
To enhance peak identification and quantification, Harrington and his graduate student Xinyi Wang developed a method that utilizes the magnitude spectrum of NMR signals. Traditionally, most NMR work focuses on absorbance spectrum analysis, which only utilizes half of the available information and limits quantification capabilities. Wang and Harrington’s method yielded favorable results in pattern recognition tests compared to traditional approaches. They concluded that “the magnitude spectrum is advocated for pattern recognition of NMR spectra.” In another study, Wang developed a high-throughput method that directly measures cannabis compounds using NMR after extracting them into deuterated chloroform. Both projects were funded by Chemical Mapping.
For Harrington and his team, NMR serves as a fast and effective tool for analyzing cannabis in various ways. One significant potential application is the authentication of botanical materials and evaluation of product quality. Furthermore, NMR can guide consumers towards the specific product that will achieve their desired effects. Law enforcement agencies could also benefit from NMR analysis to determine the origin of cannabis samples, distinguishing between legal and illegal sources. Overall, Harrington emphasizes the numerous potential benefits of utilizing NMR in the field of cannabis research.
