AGILENT CARY 630 FTIR FOR QUICK AND REAL TIME DETERMINATION OF CANNABINOID POTENCIES

Significance of the Topic

Cannabinoid potency analysis is vital for ensuring accurate dosing and compliance with regulatory standards in both medical and recreational cannabis products. Rapid, reliable potency measurement underpins quality control, consumer safety, and process optimization in manufacturing environments.

Objectives and Overview

This study evaluates the Agilent Cary 630 FTIR spectrometer as an alternative to chromatographic methods for determining THC and related cannabinoid concentrations. The goal is to demonstrate real-time potency assessment with accuracy comparable to HPLC through robust chemometric modeling.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The analytical workflow involved:

1. Designing a calibration set of cannabis concentrates and distillates encompassing expected compositional variability and potency ranges.
2. Obtaining reference potency values using HPLC to serve as ground truth.
3. Acquiring FTIR spectra of samples and applying multivariate calibration via Agilent MicroLab software to predict cannabinoid content.

Instrumentation:

• Agilent Cary 630 FTIR spectrometer with Diamond absolute ATR accessory
• Agilent MicroLab software for chemometric model development
• HPLC system for reference potency measurements

Main Results and Discussion

The FTIR-based predictions for THC potency exhibited a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.99 against HPLC reference values across samples with up to 93% THC concentration. This high degree of linearity confirms that, with proper calibration, FTIR spectroscopy yields accuracy on par with standard chromatographic protocols. The non-destructive measurement required no sample preparation and delivered results within seconds.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Key advantages of the FTIR approach include:

• Real-time potency readouts to guide dosing decisions
• Rapid, in situ measurements that can be integrated into extraction or production lines
• Elimination of consumables and extensive sample prep
• Compact, user-friendly instrument ideal for lab or field settings

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging opportunities encompass:

• Integration of inline FTIR monitoring to optimize extraction and formulation processes
• Expansion of chemometric models to additional cannabinoids and product matrices
• Application of machine learning algorithms to enhance predictive performance and model transferability
• Development of portable, point-of-use FTIR systems for on-site quality control

Conclusion

The Agilent Cary 630 FTIR system, coupled with a well-constructed chemometric model, provides a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective solution for cannabinoid potency determination. This technique complements existing chromatographic standards, enabling real-time quality control and supporting regulatory compliance.