"A Chemical Investigation: Monitoring Cannabidiol Concentration in the " by Hannah E. Mabie
 

Honors Theses

Date of Award

Spring 5-10-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

First Advisor

Eden Tanner

Second Advisor

Vignesh Sundaresan

Third Advisor

Mahmoud ElSohly

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid from the plant, Cannabis sativa. CBD’s structure degrades over time and other minor cannabinoids are formed when in contact with organic solvents. This is a growing area of interest due to the Agriculture Improvement Act (The Farm Bill) in 2018, which led to growing marijuana consumption and increased CBD markets. Monitoring the concentration of CBD can be used by forensic investigators and researchers to determine how CBD interacts with solvents, like ionic liquids. In this study, different ionic liquids were used to determine the best route of solubility and if choline based ionic liquids are applicable to be used for solvents in cannabinoid experiments. The experiment was carried out using Choline (CA) 3-Butenoic Acid (1:1), CA 2-Hexenoic Acid (1:1), CA Isovaleric Acid (1:1), and CA Malonic Acid (1:2).

Quantitative results were found through the use of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with a Diode Array Detector (DAD). Using HPLC-DAD allowed for determination and quantitation of CBD and monitored any other degradation compounds.

The results from this project found all four choline-based ionic liquids did not have significant degradation products and consistent concentration of CBD. By understanding the mechanism and formation of other impurities, forensic investigators can apply this to the development of CBD and further understand how cannabinoids interact with ionic solutions.

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