The influence of terpenes on the release of volatile organic compounds and active ingredients to cannabis vaping aerosols.

Introduction:
This article presents a study on the influence of terpenes on the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and active ingredients in cannabis vaping aerosols. The research elucidates the major thermal degradation mechanisms for ThC and b-myrcene, two primary components of cannabis extracts, using automated thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The study also investigates how the relative ratios of ThC and terpenes impact dosage and exposure to harmful or potentially harmful components (hPhCs) in cannabis vaping aerosols.

Key Points:

* The major thermal degradation mechanisms for ThC and b-myrcene are studied, elucidating four abundant products derived from a common radical intermediate.
* The relative levels of these four products are highly correlated with applied power to the e-cigarette, indicating formation of these products is temperature-dependent.
* Vaping ThC-b-myrcene mixtures with increasing % mass of b-myrcene is correlated with less degradation of the starting material and a product distribution suggestive of a lower aerosolization temperature.
* Dabbing ThC-b-myrcene mixtures with increasing % mass of b-myrcene is associated with higher levels of hPhCs, due to increased reactivity of b-myrcene relative to ThC.
* The thermal degradation of b-myrcene is characterized extensively, and a mechanism is proposed for 30% of the formed VOCs, including the most abundant product, isoprene.
* Pure ThC, ThC with 7.2% b-myrcene, and 14% b-myrcene are vaporized in a CEC, and mass of SCO consumed, ThC transfer, b-myrcene transfer, and VOC emissions are quantified on a per-puff basis.
* Power level increases the amount of hPhCs delivered per puff in vaping synthetic SCO, with linear correlations observed for isoprene, MaCR, MVK, benzene, toluene, and isoprene epoxide.

Main Message:
This study highlights the importance of understanding the influence of terpenes on the release of VOCs and hPhCs in cannabis vaping aerosols. The research elucidates the major thermal degradation mechanisms for ThC and b-myrcene and demonstrates that the relative ratios of ThC and terpenes significantly impact dosage and exposure to harmful components. The main message emphasizes the need for further exploration of the effects of various additives and power levels on the release of VOCs and hPhCs in cannabis vaping aerosols to ensure public safety and informed decision-making.

Meehan-atrash J, Luo W, McWhirter KJ, et al. The influence of terpenes on the release of volatile organic compounds and active ingredients to cannabis vaping aerosols. RSC advances. 2021;11(19):11714-11723. doi:10.1039/d1ra00934f