The Daily Bulletin

The Chemistry Department is hosting a graduate student seminar on Thursday, April 24, during Bengal Pause (12:15 pm to 1:30 pm) in SAMC 151. Our speaker will be Kaitlyn Ignaszak, a graduate student in the forensic science master's program. Coffee and snacks will be served.

Title: Quantification of Terpenes in Commercial Cannabis Products by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Terpenes are volatile organic compounds found in a wide variety of plants including cannabis, contributing to their aroma, flavor, and even coloration. They also play crucial roles in plant defense, environmental stress response, pollinator attraction, and growth regulation. In cannabis, terpenes have garnered increasing interest due to their influence on taste, aroma, and potential therapeutic effects. By controlling terpene expression, cannabis strains can be selectively engineered to deliver specific sensory and medicinal experiences.

The goal of this research project was to identify and quantify the terpene content in five commercial cannabis products—including flower bud, kief, two tinctures, and a pain cream—using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). By analyzing differences in terpene concentrations, the optimal solvent and extraction time were determined. Results showed that terpene concentrations varied between products and were significantly affected by solvent choice. Additionally, terpene levels decreased with longer extraction times, likely due to chemical degradation.

References

Robertson, K. (2024, November 4). What are terpenes and what do they do? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/cannabis-terpenes#function
Terpene testing and profiling of cannabis using gas chromatography. SCION Instruments. (2025, March 5). https://scioninstruments.com/blog/terpene-profiling-of-cannabis-using-gas-chromatography/