Abstract
A Simple and Rapid Spectro-Electrochemical Analysis of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (δ9-thc) using Carbon and Platinum Screen Printed Electrodes
Ketan Patil1* and Astha Pandey2
DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/ojc/400307
Abstract:
This research introduces a new voltammetric method for detecting delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), addressing the widespread concern over marijuana's illegal use. Utilizing methanol, potassium nitrate as a supporting electrolyte, and a screen-printed carbon electrode, the study developed a precise approach to identify THC and its functional groups via spectral analysis. Experiments yielded a linear THC detection range from 1.875 to 30 µmol L-1, with a high correlation coefficient of 0.995 and a detection limit of 0.57×10-5µmol L-1. FTIR analysis highlighted a phenol group, undergoing oxidation, as a key indicator of THC presence. To confirm THC in seized cannabis samples, the study applied a spectroelectrochemical method alongside preparative thin layer chromatography for sample purification, using a hexane:acetone mix. This approach efficiently isolates THC, proving the method's effectiveness for forensic and analytical applications in drug control.
Keywords:Delta-9-THC; Marijuana; Thin layer chromatography; Spectroelectrochemical method
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