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Administration of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Adolescent and Adult Mice
Published on: August 1, 2025
Reference measurement procedure for Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in serum
1Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Bundesallee 100, 38116, Braunschweig, Germany. Susanne.Lott@ptb.de
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
|April 10, 2008
Summary
A new isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method accurately measures Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in serum. This validated reference procedure offers high precision, with less than 2% uncertainty, ensuring reliable forensic analysis.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Forensic Toxicology
- Biomolecular Analysis
Background:
- Accurate quantification of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in biological matrices is crucial for forensic applications.
- Existing methods may lack the precision and traceability required for definitive legal and clinical assessments.
- Reference measurement procedures are essential for ensuring consistency and comparability across different laboratories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a primary reference measurement procedure for Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in serum using isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (ID-GC/MS).
- To establish the measurement uncertainty associated with the developed procedure at clinically relevant concentrations.
- To assess the method's accuracy and potential for providing traceability in forensic toxicology.
Main Methods:
- Development and validation of an isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (ID-GC/MS) method.
- Adherence to the principles of a ratio primary reference measurement procedure.
- Determination of measurement uncertainty according to the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM).
- Analysis of THC in serum at concentrations of 1 ng/mL and 2.4 ng/mL.
Main Results:
- The ID-GC/MS method demonstrated high accuracy for measuring THC in serum within the range of current threshold values.
- The relative expanded uncertainty was determined to be less than 2% at both 1 ng/mL and 2.4 ng/mL concentrations (95% confidence interval).
- The procedure complies with the concept of a ratio primary reference measurement procedure, ensuring metrological traceability.
Conclusions:
- The developed ID-GC/MS method is a reliable and accurate reference procedure for quantifying THC in serum.
- The method's low uncertainty (<2%) and adherence to GUM provide a high level of confidence in the results.
- This reference method has the potential to significantly enhance the traceability and reliability of THC measurements in forensic science.
