MRM and Product Ion Scan Analysis of THC Metabolites in Urine Using LC-MS/MS

User Benefits

- THC and its metabolites can be detected at urine concentrations of 1 ng/mL without derivatization. - Product ion scan provides mass spectral information, improving the reliability of the test for application certification. - It uses the same mobile phase as the LC-MS/MS Forensic Toxicology Database, Shimadzu's method package for drug and toxin screening. THC metabolites analysis and the screening can be changed with just column switching.

Introduction

Cannabis regulation is evolving through both deregulation and enforcement measures. While some countries are legalizing cannabis for medical and recreational use, there are also efforts to tighten regulations against illicit use and illegal trade.Japan recently revised its cannabis laws to tighten regulations on use, with some of these amendments taking effect in December 2024. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, is metabolized in the body to Δ9-THC-COOH and Δ9-THC-OH, which are subsequently excreted in urine and feces. To validate the use of cannabis products containing these regulated compounds, it is essential to measure these metabolites in urine. This analysis requires not only high sensitivity and accurate quantification but also confirmation through mass spectral patterns to establish clear evidence. In liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), spectral patterns obtained from product ion scan enhance the accuracy of cannabis use verification. This application demonstrates the analysis of THC and its metabolites in urine using the LCMS-8050. Both multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for sensitive quantification and product ion scan for qualitative analysis were employed.

May 20, 2025 GMT