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Analytical Approaches to Address Challenges in the Analysis of Cannabinoids in Vascular Matrices Using Mass
Radwa Mahmoud1, Robert B Laprairie1, Anas El-Aneed1
1College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Mass Spectrometry Reviews
|August 22, 2025
Summary
This review highlights mass spectrometry (MS) methods for analyzing phytocannabinoids in blood. It compares Gas chromatography-MS and liquid chromatography-MS, detailing their use in plasma, serum, whole blood, and dried blood spots.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Forensic Science
Background:
- Phytocannabinoids, compounds from Cannabis sativa, are recognized for recreational and therapeutic applications.
- Accurate quantification of phytocannabinoids in biological samples is crucial for research and clinical settings.
- Mass spectrometry (MS) coupled with chromatography offers high sensitivity and selectivity for phytocannabinoid analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and critically evaluate mass spectrometry-based analytical strategies for phytocannabinoid determination in vascular matrices.
- To compare the applications, advantages, and challenges of Gas Chromatography-MS (GC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography-MS (LC-MS) for analyzing phytocannabinoids in blood.
- To discuss specific issues related to dried blood spot (DBS) analysis versus plasma, serum, and whole blood processing.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on MS-based analytical techniques for phytocannabinoid analysis.
- Focus on Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).
- Evaluation of methods applied to vascular matrices: plasma, serum, whole blood, and dried blood spots (DBS).
Main Results:
- MS coupled with chromatography provides superior sensitivity and selectivity for phytocannabinoid analysis in vascular samples.
- Both GC-MS and LC-MS are viable techniques, each with distinct advantages and limitations for different matrices.
- Dried blood spot (DBS) analysis presents unique challenges, including hematocrit bias, compared to traditional liquid blood matrices.
Conclusions:
- Mass spectrometry is the gold standard for sensitive and selective phytocannabinoid analysis in biological fluids.
- The choice between GC-MS and LC-MS depends on the specific analytical requirements and biological matrix.
- Further research is needed to optimize DBS analysis and overcome matrix-specific challenges for accurate phytocannabinoid profiling.
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