Cannabinoid Profiling of Z-Face Cannabis Cultivar Extracts

Abstract

Background: Cannabis is a versatile plant that has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal, nutritional, cosmetic, and agricultural applications. To date, 566 chemical compounds have been identified in Cannabis sativa, including 125 cannabinoids [1]. The Z-Face cultivar under investigation is notably rich in Δ⁹-THC, the only cannabinoid with well-established psychotropic effects. It interacts with CB1 receptors in the central nervous system, inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters such as GABA and glutamate. As a result of its psychoactive properties, Δ⁹-THC is highly regulated and represents the most widely used drug of abuse worldwide. Nevertheless, these same properties offer significant therapeutic potential, particularly for their analgesic, antiemetic, and appetite-stimulating effects [2,3]. Decarboxylation is essential to convert acidic cannabinoids found in the plant into their pharmacologically active neutral forms [3]. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the cannabinoid profile of extracts from the Z-Face cultivar in both decarboxylated and non-decarboxylated forms. Methods: The inflorescences were ground using a Retsch 400 ball mill and extracted with 96% (v/v) ethanol. The extract was filtered under reduced pressure, and the solvent was evaporated using a speedvac. For the decarboxylated samples, heating at 120 °C for 1 hour was performed prior to extraction. Cannabinoid quantification was carried out using a high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) system, employing an optimized method for determining 14 cannabinoids [4]. Results: In the non-decarboxylated extract, nine cannabinoids were quantified. The major cannabinoids, expressed as a percentage (w/w), were THCA 49.13% and Δ⁹-THC 8.11%. Other cannabinoids included CBGA 0.87%, CBCA 0.60%, THCVA 0.26%, CBG 0.24%, CBNA 0.19%, CBC 0.13%, and CBN 0.10%. The composition of the decarboxylated extract was predominantly Δ⁹-THC (56.48%), with only trace amounts of THCA (0.23%). Additional cannabinoids quantified included CBG 1.44%, CBN 0.94%, CBC 0.76%, THCV 0.34%, and CBGA 0.27%. Conclusion: The primary cannabinoid identified in the Z-Face cultivar extract is THCA (49.13%), while the decarboxylated extract contains Δ⁹-THC, as expected.