Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) is a useful technique to quantitatively profile the volatile unsaturated hydrocarbons called terpenes.

Terpene profiling and characterization is used for product quality testing. Terpenes are the chemicals that give cannabis its unique fragrance and flavor and play a well-defined role in the perceived user preference for specific cannabis strains. There are at least 200 terpenes, and unique cannabis strains and extracts can present different terpene profiles. Six of the most common cannabis-related terpenes are linalool, β-myrcene, α-pinene, limonene, β-caryophyllene and α-humulene.

Profiling terpenes is a significant analytical challenge because of varying compound volatility. Monoterpenes are highly volatile and sesquiterpenoids are less volatile, for example.

Get the most from your terpenes profiling from with a single instrument

LC-MS/MS allows you to characterize terpene content in plants using a single instrument system. With SCIEX LC-MS/MS technology you can have the level of detail, specificity and sensitivity you need to deliver fast, comprehensive and reproducible results. Our terpene profiling solutions give you the confidence of having operational reliability and an expert partner behind you to meet regulatory demands and maintain strain consistency.