A comparative phytocannabinoid profiling of resin from five hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivars from central-northern Morocco

Abstract

• Phytocannabinoid profiles of five Cannabis sativa cultivars were analyzed (2014–2016). • Fifteen cannabinoids were identified, with five major ones exceeding 5 % mean concentration. • PCA and HCA linked cannabinoid profiles to the commercial classification of cultivars. • THC peaked in 2014, CBD in 2015, while major cannabinoids declined in 2016. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of Cannabis sativa L. cultivars was conducted, focusing on the phytocannabinoid profiles of resin from one local cultivar 'Beldiya' and four exotic cultivars over three consecutive crop years (2014–2016). The cannabinoid composition of the resin from the studied cultivars was analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with a triple-stage quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC-MS/TSQ Endura) to evaluate the chemical variability in phytocannabinoid compounds among the cultivars and across the harvest years. A total of 13 cannabinoid compounds were identified, with five classified as major cannabinoids: THCA-A, CBDA, CBD, Δ⁹-THC, and CBN, each exhibiting mean concentrations greater than 5 %. The results showed significant chemical polymorphism among the studied cultivars, with the clustering of phytocannabinoids, indicating three distinct chemical groups based on the concentrations of the major cannabinoids. In addition, only the local Northern Moroccan cultivar Beldiya demonstrated chemical stability across the three harvest years, whereas the exotic cultivars exhibited heterogeneity from one year to another. This study enhances our understanding of Cannabis chemistry under Northern Moroccan conditions. It highlights the importance of ongoing research into Cannabis -derived products through a thorough analysis of cannabinoid content profiles in cultivars.