Cannabis based products analysis and quality control

Nowadays product quality, consistency among batches and ratio between given compounds in a sample are all important aspects when dealing with cannabis based goods. Historically, cannabis plants have been used for medicinal and recreational purposes. Restrictions were put in place last century but recently selected countries and some states in The US have either legalized cannabis for designated uses or relaxed some of the rules. The recent step up in cannabinoids’ research combined with an increased product demand, have resulted in a greater focus on sample analysis and quality control in this application space.

Reliable analytical methods are also a must considering the natural source of cannabinoid compounds and how their levels are economically relevant for producers. For example, variations in water availability and temperature are known to affect metabolic pathways in plants and cannabis is no exception. Weather conditions can severely impact secondary metabolite output steering for instance plant growth and development, but those temporary environmental changes can also influence the amount of cannabinoids produced. When product variability is beyond a predetermined range, blending of plant extracts need to be addressed for consistent supply to the market.

Analysis of cannabis samples has become a focus area for an increasing number of analysts and medicinal chemists as more certified labs open for business for cannabis ingredient identification, and product potency as well as cannabinoid ratios need to be determined. Cannabis processing facilities need quality control to provide consistent manufactured goods to the market, to assure the consumer that the product meets specification and can stand by the ingredients’ declaration list. Laboratories working close to the manufacturing facilities use HPLC methods for regular analysis and quality control. The example shown in the figure is the analytical chromatogram of a reference standard consisting of five key cannabinoid compounds using Kromasil Classic C18 stationary phase material. The result shows excellent peak shape and complete resolution between compounds making Kromasil an ideal material for this type of laboratory work. Kromasil columns and bulk are known to be the workhorse in the natural products’ industry for the analysis and purification of a wide variety of substances. Kromasil has been supporting the success of pharmaceutical, natural products, clinical, and environmental industries for decades and is well recognized in the market place for excellent selectivity, superior mechanical and chemical stability.