Subscriptions - Maximum Yield Cannabis USA September/October 2020 | Page 48
Many producers and buyers of wholesale cannabis are
beginning to perform their own in-house analysis using
GC-FID for their terpene analysis. This is less expensive than
other equipment and can provide quicker and cheaper results
compared to sending samples to labs and waiting on results.
HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is probably
the second-most common method of terpene analysis but
is usually better for cannabinoid analysis rather than
for terpenes. Terpenes have low ultraviolet (UV) and MS
sensitivities. The cannabinoids present in each sample often
interfere or can even essentially “erase” (by coelution) the
terpenes in the sample when subjected to this method.
SOLID PHASE MICROEXTRACTION OF HEADSPACE
Solid Phase Microextraction of Headspace (SPME), or
Headspace Sampling (HS), is considered among the more
effective methods of terpene analysis. Conventional HS is a
method utilizing a concentrator that targets the volatiles in
a given sample, including the terpenes. This leaves behind
other oils and cannabinoids from the sample. SPME utilizes an
autosampler that can be performed by direct immersion with
the cannabis sample.
EACH
“
SPECIFIC
STRAIN
of cannabis possesses
specific psychological and
medical characteristics t
hat can be better utilized
to its full potential with
terpene analysis.”
SPLIT/SPLITLESS INJECTION
Split/Splitless Injection (SSI) is not as complex a process as HS
or SPME, making it an easier analysis to perform, but it is not
as efficient for high-output labs to use as the samples need to
remain in the columns for an extended period.
As more and more countries legalize some form of cannabis,
it is incumbent upon the industry to build and maintain a
set of rigorous standards to make sure the products sold
to consumers meet or surpass some basic quality-control
measures. The establishment of cannabis testing labs needs
to stay ahead of trends and best practices to be able to
perform this valuable service to all members of the cannabis
supply chain, from grower to buyer, producer to consumer. A
terpene analysis is vital to all links in that chain to assure
each constituent they have what they think they have and that
they were not sold something (or consume something) other
than what they thought they were.
The accurate and replicable quantification of cannabis
terpenes allows for medicinal and recreational cannabis
products to be better characterized and controlled. Each
specific strain of cannabis possesses specific psychological
and medical characteristics that can be better utilized to its
full potential with terpene analysis. Ultimately, the demands
of the consumer, at any point on the supply chain, coupled
with local, municipal, or federal regulations, the quality
and type of equipment, and the efficiency and skill of each
respective lab technician will decide how cannabis terpene
analysis will be performed.
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