Method Development of Cannabinoids for LC-UV Analysis Using a Virtual Method Development Tool

Traditional method development of cannabinoid separations can be time-consuming and costly, but emerging cannabinoids often require reoptimization of current methods. This development and optimization require several steps, including method scouting, development, and optimization. To reduce cost and save time, a no-cost tool was used to perform virtual method development. Compounds were selected from a database containing over 40 cannabinoids. Methods were developed to instantly model separations by adjusting parameters such as instrument/system effects (dwell and extra column volume); temperature; flow rate; and mobile phase additives. In this work, methods were developed virtually, then transferred to an HPLC-UV, and retention times from the experimental vs. modeled chromatograms were compared. To determine if results from the modeler were acceptable, retention times should not exceed more than ±15 seconds or no more than 10% of the run time. Results show this virtual tool can be used to develop cannabinoid separations quickly and accurately. This virtual tool can aide in the optimization of existing methods for the addition of new cannabinoids, offer an on-demand consultative user experience, and lead to greener solutions for method development.