The evolution of major cannabinoids and terpenes during the growth of Cannabis sativa plants was studied. In this work, seven different plants were selected: three each from chemotypes I and III and one from chemotype II. Fifty clones of each mother plant were grown indoors under controlled conditions. Every week, three plants from each variety were cut and dried, and the leaves and flowers were analyzed separately. Eight major cannabinoids were analyzed via HPLC-DAD, and 28 terpenes were quantified using GC-FID and verified via GC-MS. The chemotypes of the plants, as defined by the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid/cannabidiolic acid (THCA/CBDA) ratio, were clear from the beginning and stable during growth. The concentrations of the major cannabinoids and terpenes were determined, and different patterns were found among the chemotypes. In particular, the plants from chemotypes II and III needed more time to reach peak production of THCA, CBDA, and monoterpenes. Differences in the cannabigerolic acid development among the different chemotypes and between monoterpene and sesquiterpene evolution patterns were also observed. Plants of different chemotypes were clearly differentiated by their terpene content, and characteristic terpenes of each chemotype were identified.

High performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) has been successfully applied to cannabis plant extracts in order to identify cannabinoid compounds after their quantitative isolation by means of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). MS conditions were optimized by means of a central composite design (CCD) approach, and the analysis method was fully validated. Six major cannabinoids [tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN)] were quantified (RSD < 10%), and seven more cannabinoids were identified and verified by means of a liquid chromatograph coupled to a quadrupole-time-of-flight (Q-ToF) detector. Finally, based on the distribution of the analyzed cannabinoids in 30 Cannabis sativa L. plant varieties and the principal component analysis (PCA) of the resulting data, a clear difference was observed between outdoor and indoor grown plants, which was attributed to a higher concentration of THC, CBN, and CBD in outdoor grown plants.

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Toasting is one of the most important unit operations in turro´n manufacture. The main objective was to study changes in volatile compounds and sensory odour and aroma during almond toasting. Two almond cultivars were studied 'Comuna' and 'Marcona'. CIEL*a*b* colour, instrumental aroma and sensory odour and flavour were evaluated in toasted almonds (200°C: the most popular temperature for almond toasting in convection ovens) at five times from 12 to 23 min. The main pyrazines found were: 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, 2-methylpyrazine and 2,4-dimethyl-3-ethylpyrazine. Pyrazines, furans and pyrroles concentrations in 'Comuna' almonds were higher than in 'Marcona' samples at the end of toasting; however, sensory analysis showed that 23 min were too long for 'Comuna' almonds (burnt notes) and shorter toasting time must be applied. Based on both instrumental and sensory colour and aroma data, the recommended toasting time at 200°C in convection ovens for 'Comuna' and 'Marcona' almonds should be 20 min.

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