Hemp Testing Laboratory Solutions

Importance of the Topic

The rapid expansion of hemp-based products in medicinal and recreational markets has underscored the need for robust analytical testing. Comprehensive testing ensures product quality, consumer safety, and compliance with evolving state and federal regulations. Hemp laboratories require reliable methods to quantify cannabinoids, profile terpenes, detect pesticide residues, measure residual solvents, assess heavy metals, determine moisture content, and identify mycotoxins.

Study Objectives and Overview

This article presents a portfolio of turnkey analytical solutions designed to support hemp testing laboratories from seed to sale. The goals include:

• Defined workflows for potency, terpene, pesticide, solvent, metal, moisture, and mycotoxin analyses.
• Integration of instrumentation, software, consumables, and service support.
• Scalable platforms to accommodate routine QC and advanced research needs.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The proposed methods leverage industry-standard and advanced analytical technologies:

• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for cannabinoid potency, with three method packages—high throughput (<8 min), high sensitivity (<10 min), and high resolution (<30 min)—using certified reference mixtures and automated analyzers.
• Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) for terpene profiling, employing Shimadzu GCMS-TQ8050 NX or GCMS-QP2020 NX with HS-20 headspace sampler and spectral libraries to identify over 3,000 compounds.
• Liquid Chromatography–Tandem MS (LC–MS/MS) for pesticide screening, achieving ultralow detection limits for 211 targeted pesticides in under 12 min on the LCMS-8050 triple quadrupole system.
• Optional GC–MS/MS for volatile or problematic pesticides and residual solvent quantitation using the GCMS-TQ8050 with headspace sampling.
• Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS) on the ICPMS-2030 for trace heavy metals analysis following acid digestion.
• Moisture analysis via halogen moisture balances (MOC63u and MOC-120H) for rapid determination of water content in hemp products.
• Mycotoxin detection using LCMS-8050 to achieve regulatory compliance for fungal toxins.
• Data management and compliance with LabSolutions DB/CS software supporting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and Annex 11 requirements.
• Advanced research platforms, including online SFE-SFC-LC–MS/MS, MALDI-TOF, and high-resolution Q-TOF systems.

Main Results and Discussion

The integration of specialized methods and instrumentation yields the following benefits:

• Potency assays deliver accurate quantitation of 10–11 cannabinoids with minimal method development and robust throughput.
• Terpene profiling provides detailed aroma and flavor compound resolution, supporting homeopathic effect studies.
• Pesticide workflows achieve comprehensive coverage with LODs meeting or exceeding current regulatory thresholds.
• Residual solvent analyses ensure consumer safety by detecting solvent residues at trace levels.
• ICP–MS enables sensitive heavy metal screening without additional sample prep accessories.
• Moisture and mycotoxin testing deliver rapid, reliable data to prevent spoilage and ensure product purity.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The described platforms offer:

• Turnkey solutions reducing time-to-results and accelerating laboratory startup.
• Scalability from routine QA/QC to advanced research and method development.
• Comprehensive service packages, including preventative maintenance, training, and ongoing support.
• Regulatory compliance features to streamline audits and electronic record management.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging areas that will shape hemp analysis include:

• Greater automation and integration of sample preparation and data workflows.
• Expansion of high-resolution mass spectrometry for untargeted profiling.
• Implementation of supercritical fluid techniques for greener extraction and separation.
• Adoption of MALDI-TOF for rapid microbial contamination screening.
• Development of in situ and real-time monitoring tools for cultivation and processing control.

Conclusion

Shimadzu’s comprehensive analytical portfolio addresses critical laboratory needs across the hemp testing lifecycle. By combining validated methods, integrated instrumentation, and dedicated support, laboratories can ensure product quality, consumer safety, and regulatory compliance while remaining adaptable to future analytical challenges.

Reference

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