Terpene Profiling Methodology

Terpene profiling methodology refers to the analytical techniques used to identify and quantify volatile organic compounds in cannabis flower, trim, and extracts. Common approaches include gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), and mass spectrometry (MS), each offering different resolution levels and compound detection ranges. Breeders and researchers use these methods to map terpene expression across cultivars, phenotypes, and environmental conditions, building reproducible lineage records. Profiling data helps distinguish strain families, predict aromatic stability during storage, and inform breeding selections for desired volatile compound ratios. Standardized methodology remains an evolving field, as labs employ varying calibration standards, detection thresholds, and reporting formats.

Breeders use terpene profiling to select parent plants with consistent volatile profiles, track terpene inheritance patterns across generations, and document cultivar-specific compound signatures for market differentiation and reproducibility.