Determination of Cannabidiol and Additional Cannabinoid Content in Hemp Tea

Significance of the Topic

Accurate quantification of cannabidiol and related cannabinoids is essential for product labeling quality control and regulatory compliance in hemp tea analysis

Objectives and Study Overview

This study aimed to develop and validate an HPLC-UV method for simultaneous determination of CBD, CBDA and minor cannabinoids in hemp tea samples and to assess labeled claims

Methodology and Instrumentation

Sample preparation involved grinding tea leaves or buds followed by methanol extraction, centrifugation, dilution and filtration
Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column (Shim-pack XR-ODS II 75×3.0 mm, 2.2 µm) using a water–methanol–phosphoric acid gradient at 1 mL/min flow rate and 50 °C with UV detection at 220 nm

Instrumentation

• Shimadzu Prominence-i LC-2030C Plus HPLC system
• Shimadzu UV-Vis detector
• Shim-pack XR-ODS II column with guard
• Arium Pro water purification system
• 2010 Geno/Grinder from SPEX SamplePrep

Main Results and Discussion

Calibration curves exhibited linearity (R2 > 0.9999) with retention time RSD ≤ 0.018% and peak area RSD ≤ 0.197%. Resolution of Δ9-THC and Δ8-THC was 2.6. Sample analysis of five teas showed total CBD between 0.47–1.67% (wt.) with CBDA consistently higher. THC was below quantification limits in all samples

Benefits and Practical Applications

• High sensitivity and precision support reliable quality control
• Simultaneous multi-cannabinoid analysis increases throughput
• Compliance with THC limits ensures product safety

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Future work may include HPLC-MS coupling for enhanced selectivity, use of greener extraction solvents, analysis of brewed infusions, rapid field testing and expansion to diverse matrices

Conclusion

The validated HPLC-UV method delivers accurate, precise and reliable quantification of cannabinoids in hemp tea and reveals discrepancies with label claims, underscoring the need for rigorous testing

References

• Fine PG, Rosenfeld MJ. Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal. 2013;4(4).
• Klein TW, Newton CA. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 2007;601:395–413.