Application of an Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometric Method for the Detection and Quantification of Cannabis in Cerumen Samples

Abstract In this study, cerumen, a non-conventional biological secretion, was examined as an alternative matrix for forensic analysis. A fully validated analytical UPLC-MS/MS method was developed for the detection and quantification of the most prevalent psychoactive illicit drug globe wide, Δ9-tethrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, and four major cannabinoids found in cannabis Sativa. The method was validated, and standard external calibration curves were established with correlation coefficients > 0.99. A validated experimental procedure, along with a direct extraction of cannabinoids with acidified acetonitrile resulted in a short total analysis time and a good extraction efficiency for all the analytes under study. LOD and LOQ values were determined to be 0.01-0.08 pg/mg and 0.04-0.23 pg/mg, respectively. To prove applicability of the proposed assay, volunteers were selected, and cerumen samples were examined for cannabis. The analysis by use of UPLC-MS/MS indicated that all samples were positive, reporting recent cannabis abuse. Surprisingly, both THC and Cannabinol (CBN) were detected, and quantification was possible in 75% of the cases.