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Updated: Oct 26, 2025

Non-Aqueous Isolation and Enrichment of Glandular Capitate Stalked and Sessile Trichomes from Cannabis sativa
Published on: May 12, 2023
Discriminating different Cannabis sativa L. chemotypes using attenuated total reflectance - infrared (ATR-FTIR)
Marco Cirrincione1, Bruno Saladini1, Virginia Brighenti2
1Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
Abstract:
An original, innovative, high-throughput method based on attenuated total reflectance - Fourier's transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy has been developed for the proof-of-concept discrimination of fibre-type from drug-type Cannabis sativa L. inflorescences. The cannabis sample is placed on the instrument plate and analysed without any previous sample pretreatment step. In this way, a complete analysis lasts just a few seconds, the time needed to record an ATR-FTIR spectrum. The method was calibrated and cross-validated using data provided by liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of the different cannabis samples and carried out the statistical assays for quantitation. During cross-validation, complete agreement was obtained between ATR-FTIR and LC-MS/MS identification of the cannabis chemotype. Moreover, the method has proved to be capable of quantifying with excellent accuracy (75-103 % vs. LC-MS/MS) seven neutral and acidic cannabinoids (THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA, CBG, CBGA, CBN) in inflorescences from different sources. The extreme feasibility and speed of execution make this ATR-FTIR method highly attractive as a proof-of-concept for a possible application to quality controls during pharmaceutical product manufacturing, as well as on-the-street cannabis controls and user counselling.
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