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LCGC International's April series for National Cannabis Awareness Month concludes with a discussion with Walter B. Wilson from the National Institute of Standard and Technology’s (NIST’s) Chemical Sciences Division regarding recent research his team conducted investigating chromatographic interferences that can potentially inflate the levels of Δ9-THC in Cannabis sativa plant samples, and possible solutions to avoid this problem.

Researchers leveraged the advantages of thermodesorption, followed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC/TOF-MS), to compare and assess a variety of sampling phases for body odor.

A recent study conducted at the University of Georgia, (Athens, Georgia) presented a validated method for quantifying 18 terpenes in Cannabis sativa essential oil, extracted via hydrodistillation. The method, utilizing gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) with selected ion monitoring (SIM), includes using internal standards (n-tridecane and octadecane) for accurate analysis, with key validation parameters—such as specificity, accuracy, precision, and detection limits—thoroughly assessed. LCGC International spoke to Noelle Joy of the University of Georgia, corresponding author of this paper discussing the method, about its creation and benefits it offers the analytical community.

The critical role of separation science in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) research highlights just how essential chromatography is in solving complex challenges that benefit society.

Researchers investigating the relationship between cannabis use during pregnancy and depressive symptoms—and whether continued use beyond the first trimester or higher levels of use were linked to increased symptoms—used liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to confirm the presence of 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) in urine samples.

Valladolid University © demachy - stock.adobe.com

University of Valladolid scientists used a miniaturized method for analyzing biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted by tree species, using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC–QTOF-MS) has been developed.

A combination of liquid chromatography ion mobility spectrometry, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–IMS-HRMS) for non-targeted analysis (NTA) was used to detect and identify per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in alligator plasma.

A joint study conducted by the University of Ferrara (Italy) and the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (Rome, Italy) focused on the analysis of terpenes and terpenoids—key bioactive compounds responsible for the distinctive flavor and potential therapeutic effects of cannabis. For this study, the research team used comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC×GC-MS) coupled with dynamic headspace extraction (DHS) to profile these compounds in cannabis inflorescences. LCGC International spoke to Flavio A. Franchina of the University of Ferrara, corresponding author of the paper which resulted from this study, about their research.

Downtown Baltimore city skyline , cityscape in Maryland USA | Image Credit: © f11photo - stock.adobe.com

The American Society for Mass Spectrometry has announced its award winners for 2025, including Jack Henion of Cornell University and Vilmos Kertesz of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

In the final part of this interview, Ralph Mead and his group at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, discuss the biggest challenges in mitigating the effects of PFAS right now. Here’s the final part of our conversation with the Mead Group at UNC Wilmington.