Quantitative analysis of cannabinoids and metabolites in oral fluid by volumetric absorptive microsampling combined with UHPLC-HRMS

With recent evolution of cannabis legalization around the world and multiplication of cannabis derived products, identifying and qualifying cannabis consumption has a proven interest. Although blood, plasma, and urine are common matrices widely used in toxicology laboratories, oral fluid presents specific advantages. In the context of doping tests, addiction consultation or roadside checks, where other matrices are impractical to collect or can be adulterated, oral fluid is a promising matrix that allows a non-invasive, rapid, and monitored self-sampling. However, available devices required a consequent volume of oral fluid, more than 250 mu L, sometimes difficult to collect. We present here a fully optimized quantitative method for seven cannabinoids, including four metabolites, in oral fluid, Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-hydroxy-Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol; cannabidiol, 7-hydroxy and 7-carboxycannabidiol; and cannabinol. After self-collection of 20 mu L using an accurate and precise volumetric absorptive microsampling device (VAMS (R)), cannabinoids were derivatized with 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium p-toluenesulfonate to increase sensitivity. The successive steps of the proposed method, including biosampling, 1 h sample preparation with derivatization, and acquisition by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry, were fully optimized. A limit of quantification of 0.5 ng/mL (approximate to 10 pg per sampling) was thus targeted, adapted to the legal threshold required by the authorities and to clinical monitoring. Applied to six cannabis consumers, the proposed method made it possible to quantify in 20 mu L oral fluid samples, Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol ranging from 0.5 to 6236 ng/mL, cannabidiol from 0.6 to 190 ng/mL and cannabinol from 0.5 to 118 ng/mL.