Development of different extraction methods for the determination of cannabis which is used as an illegal substance in urine

ABSTRACT Marijuana; is a plant scattered in widespread geography and is a unique natural source of substances known as phytocannabinoids. Δ9-THC, one of these phytocannabinoids, produces the psychotropic effects of marijuana on perception, mood, emotion, and cognition. Because of these properties, there is a common misuse of cannabis. According to the United Nations 2015 World Drug Report, the most common substance abuse in the world is marijuana. In the same report, it is reported that people in different parts of the world are increasingly in need of treatment due to cannabis use/abuse. Determination of cannabis use can be carried out the analysis of the major psychoactive substance Δ9-THC, its equipotent active metabolite 11-OH-THC resulting in rapid metabolism and non-psychoactive component 11-nor- Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9 -carboxylic acid (Δ9-THC-COOH). Urine; is one of the most commonly used biological materials for the analysis of substances of abuse because of their ease of sampling, their non-invasiveness and their relatively high concentrations of metabolites of substances of abuse. Determination of cannabis using can be carried out by immunoassay methods, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Successful realization of routine THC analysis can be accomplished by concurrently performing efficient hydrolysis-extraction-derivatization steps. Within the scope of this thesis, it was aimed to investigate and improve the effects of hydrolysis and liquid-liquid extraction processes during the analysis of 11-nor-9-tetrahydracannabinol-Δ 9-carboxylic acid by GC-MS and for this purpose central composite design with response surface methodology was used. As a result of the thesis study, optimum values of the hydrolysis step for NaOH volume, hydrolysis time and temperature parameters were determined as 325 μL, 22.5 min and 52.5 0C, respectively. Sample volume, pH and shaking parameters for the optimization of the liquid-liquid extraction process were investigated and the optimum values were found 5.0 ml, 5.0 and 8 min, respectively. As a result of this study, for analysis of 11-nor- Δ9-tetrahydracannabinol-9-carboxylic acid by GC/MS, necessary data has been obtained that it can be performed optimally in the shortest time. Completely and accurately performing the preliminary preparation (hydrolysis-extraction) is very important for the accuracy of the analysis result.