Extraction and purification of major phytocannabinoids (Δ⁹-THC and CBD) in Cannabis sativa grown in northeastern Brazil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36560/19320262203Palavras-chave:
Analytical chemistry, Chromatography, Continuous processing, High concentration, Mass SpectrometryResumo
Chemical profile and stability of cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa are influenced by environmental conditions and extraction procedures. Selective and mild extraction methods are essential to preserve cannabinoid integrity and ensure reproducibility and quality of medicinal Cannabis products. This study investigated the occurrence of the major cannabinoids Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in Cannabis sativa cultivated in the semi-arid Agreste region of Northeast Brazil and evaluated a novel, low-stress method for their simultaneous extraction and purification. An experimental comparative study was conducted using cultivated Cannabis sativa inflorescences and two distinct extraction–purification approaches. Inflorescences of Cannabis sativa L. (var. Charlotte’s Web) cultivated in Sairé, Pernambuco, Brazil, were subjected to Soxhlet extraction and to the Góes method, a milder extraction procedure with reduced thermal exposure. Cannabinoid profiles and degradation products were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Soxhlet extraction using ethanol and cyclohexane resulted in higher total cannabinoid yield but promoted partial thermal degradation of Δ⁹-THC, evidenced by the formation of cannabinol (CBN). The Góes method selectively yielded purified Δ⁹-THC without detectable degradation products. CBD was not detected in the analyzed samples, which may be related to solvent polarity constraints and cultivation under high temperature and intense solar radiation typical of the Agreste region. Extraction conditions, particularly temperature and solvent polarity, critically affect cannabinoid yield and chemical stability. The Góes method emerges as a selective, low-cost alternative for obtaining high-purity Δ⁹-THC, supporting improved standardization and quality control of medicinal and artisanal Cannabis preparations.
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Accepted 2026-03-24
Published 2026-04-13
