The Development of a Simple Liquid Chromatography-Precursor Ion Scan-Mass Spectrometry Screening Method for the Detection of Phytocannabinoids in Plant Extracts.

Mahmoud R.; Michel D.; Elessawy F.; Purves R.; Laprairie R.; El-Aneed A. · Journal of mass spectrometry : JMS · 2026

**Background & Methods** This analytical chemistry study developed and validated a liquid chromatography-precursor ion scan-mass spectrometry (PIS-MS) method for detecting phytocannabinoids in cannabis plant extracts. Three cannabis extracts were screened using electrospray ionization (ESI) on a triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer (QTRAP 6500), with confirmatory analysis performed using high-resolution mass spectrometry (Orbitrap Exploris 240) and tandem MS/MS fragmentation patterns supported by authenticated standards when available. **Key Findings** • The PIS-MS method successfully identified six major cannabinoids in two plant extracts and nine cannabinoids in a third extract, demonstrating the technique's effectiveness for comprehensive cannabinoid profiling in therapeutic cannabis products. • An unexpected cannabinoid, sesquicannabigerol (Sesqui-CBG), was identified as one of the most abundant compounds detected. Its MS/MS fragmentation behavior, product ions, and fragmentation pathways were characterized for the first time in both positive and negative ionization modes, supported by accurate mass measurements and second-generation MS/MS (MS³) experiments. • Characteristic product ions at m/z 193.1 and 233.1 were optimized as diagnostic markers for PIS-MS analysis, providing a reliable screening approach for phytocannabinoid detection and structural characterization. **Dosage & Administration** Not reported. **Safety & Adverse Effects** Not reported. **Evidence Quality** This is an analytical methodology paper focused on developing screening protocols rather than a clinical trial. Strengths include use of multiple complementary analytical techniques (PIS-MS, high-resolution MS, MS/MS, and MS³), validation with authentic standards when available, and novel characterization of an previously uncharacterized cannabinoid. Limitations include the small sample size (three extracts only), lack of clinical application data, and absence of validation metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, or reproducibility data typically required for analytical method validation. The study provides valuable technical methodology for cannabis research but does not address clinical efficacy, safety in human subjects, or real-world therapeutic applications. As a 2026 publication, findings represent contemporary analytical capabilities but require further validation for regulatory compliance in therapeutic cannabis screening.

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