Cannabis Market and the Increased Demand for Testing
EST Analytical offers Cannabis and Hemp Testing Solutions that cover a broad range of applications from terpene profiling to contaminate testing for pesticides, residual solvents, and mycotoxins/aflatoxins. We supply the sample preparation instruments, methods and experience necessary to get you up to speed quickly.
Overview of Cannabis analysis that EST can help any lab with:
Terpene Profiling – GC/MS (headspace)
Pesticide Screening – GC/MS or LC-MS/MS
Residual Solvent Screening – by GC/MS (headspace)
Our expertise can help your lab with sample preparation for potency in flower tops, extract, distillate, waxes and Pesticides in oil and flower tops have been created and are currently being confirmed.
As of January 2020, there are now 13 states* that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. There are only 8 states where it is fully illegal. The cannabis industry has exploded. The country now has an -increasing number of legal cannabis producers and sellers.
More consumers are choosing to try cannabis for either medical and or recreational usage. As a result, there is more cannabis testing and growing oversight. This increase in demand comes with the need for cost effective, high quality and reliable cannabis testing
Cannabis testing in the United States includes testing for Contaminants, microbiology, pesticides, mycotoxins, residual solvents, and heavy metals. It also tests the profiling and content of the plant material including cannabinoids and terpenes. Consumers are demanding high quality testing to ensure product safety and compliance with state regulations.
Application Notes
Oils, edibles, and waxes are some of the most popular cannabis products. In order to produce these products, the cannabis needs to be extracted. Extraction is performed via CO 2 or employing the use of solvents. The amount of residual solvent in the cannabis product is determined using a static headspace sampling technique. This application will examine residual solvents with the permissible solvent limits outlined in the California cannabis testing regulations.
Terpenes are a major source of the aroma found in cannabis plants and extracts. They give cannabis products their distinct flavors and are also responsible for some of the medicinal properties of cannabis. This application will examine the determination of terpenes using solvent extraction and Selective Ion Monitoring (SIM) Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Terpenes can be found in a variety of plants and are responsible for their unique aromas. Due to the increase in legalization of medical marijuana there has been enhanced interest in terpenes and their therapeutic properties. Since terpenes are both volatile and semi-volatile, it can be difficult to quantify the amount of terpene in the plant. Using Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) a quantitative determination of terpenes will be established for a better terpene profile.
