CANNABIS AND HEMP QUALITY AND SAFETY TESTING

Význam tématu

Ensuring the quality and safety of cannabis and hemp products is critical for regulatory compliance, consumer confidence, and market success. Robust analytical workflows help laboratories differentiate products, reduce risks, and adapt rapidly to evolving regulations.

Cíle a přehled studie / článku

This document outlines an end-to-end analytical solution for cannabis and hemp testing. It covers instrumentation, consumables, methods for potency, terpene, pesticide, mycotoxin, and solvent analysis, as well as automation, software, and financing options to support laboratory operations.

Použitá metodika a instrumentace

The workflow integrates multiple platforms:

• Chromatography: UPLC-UV, UPLC-MS/MS, HPLC, UPC2 for cannabinoid profiling.
• Gas analysis: GC-MS/MS, APGC-MS/MS for terpene profiling and residual solvents.
• Mass spectrometry: LC-MS/MS for pesticide and mycotoxin quantitation.
• Sample prep: QuEChERS salts, immunoaffinity columns, SPE cartridges, automated headspace sampling.
• Consumables: Certified vials, syringe filters, chromatography columns.
• Automation: Andrew Alliance pipetting robots controlled by OneLab software.
• Informatics: Empower CDS, MassLynx, Quanpedia, NuGenesis Lab Management System.

Hlavní výsledky a diskuse

Key performance highlights:

• Potency testing: Baseline separation of 18 cannabinoids in under 10 minutes with UV and optional MS detection, including isomer resolution via UPC2.
• Terpene profiling: Tandem-MS detection yields high specificity in aroma compound identification using existing residual solvent platforms.
• Pesticide screening: LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS methods quantify over 200 pesticides at sub-ppb levels, meeting AOAC and regional limits.
• Mycotoxin detection: Immunoaffinity cleanup followed by LC-MS/MS enables trace detection of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in cannabis matrices.
• Residual solvents: Automated headspace GC-MS/MS ensures compliance with health and safety standards while simplifying sample prep.
• Automation: Robotic pipetting improves reproducibility and throughput, reducing human error in sample preparation.
• Software: Compliance-ready data management supports 21 CFR Part 11 and ISO 17025, with integrated audit trails and secure electronic signatures.

Přínosy a praktické využití metody

The integrated solution delivers:

• Faster turnaround times and lower solvent consumption.
• Multi-purpose MS platforms that reduce bench space and capital costs.
• Streamlined sample workflows from extraction to reporting.
• Regulatory compliance via validated methods and secure data systems.
• Improved data quality and confidence through automation and robust informatics.
• Flexible financing to accelerate instrument acquisition and deployment.

Budoucí trendy a možnosti využití

Emerging directions include greater automation of entire workflows, AI-driven data analysis, expanded multi-omics profiling of cannabis samples, real-time cloud-based laboratory management, and continuous method updates to keep pace with regulatory changes and new product forms.

Závěr

Waters’ total analytical workflow brings together advanced hardware, consumables, software, and financing to empower laboratories to deliver reliable, compliant, and efficient cannabis and hemp testing. This comprehensive approach supports quality assurance, drives operational agility, and positions laboratories for scalable growth.

Reference

• Waters Corporation. Total Analytical Workflow Solutions for Cannabis and Hemp Quality and Safety Testing. Literature Codes: 720007293EN, 720007199, 720006781EN, 720006780EN, 720007096EN, 720007150.