[en] In Europe, authorities frequently ask forensic laboratories to analyze seized cannabis plants to prove that cultivation was illegal (drug type and not fiber type). This is generally done with mature and flowering plants. However, authorities are often confronted with very young specimens. The aim of our study was to evaluate when the chemotype of cannabis plantlets can be surely determined through analysis of eight major cannabinoids content during growth. Drug-type seedlings and cuttings were cultivated, sampled each week, and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The chemotype of clones was recognizable at any developmental stage because of high total Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations even at the start of the cultivation. Conversely, right after germination seedlings contained a low total THC content, but it increased quickly with plant age up, allowing chemotype determination after 3 weeks. In conclusion, it is not necessary to wait for plants’ flowering to identify drug-type cannabis generally cultivated in Europe.
Disciplines :
Pharmacy, pharmacology & toxicology
Author, co-author :
DE BACKER, Benjamin ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Pharmacie > Chimie toxicologique
Maebe, Kevin; Ghent University
Verstraete, Alain G.; Ghent University Hospital > Laboratory of Clinical Biology
Charlier, Corinne ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de pharmacie > Chimie toxicologique
Language :
English
Title :
Evolution of the content of THC and other major cannabinoids in drug-type cannabis cuttings and seedlings during growth of plants
Publication date :
July 2012
Journal title :
Journal of Forensic Sciences
ISSN :
0022-1198
eISSN :
1556-4029
Publisher :
ASTM International, Philadelphia, United States - Pennsylvania
Volume :
57
Issue :
4
Pages :
918-922
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Name of the research project :
projet GEOCAN
Funders :
BELSPO - SPP Politique scientifique - Service Public Fédéral de Programmation Politique scientifique
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