Warning! Unfortunately your browser has disabled scripting. Please enable it in order to display this page.
 

Chromatography for Cannabis Testing | Chem Service Reference Standards | Greyhound Chromatography

Chromatography in Cannabis Testing

Chem Service Inc. Logo Image

Cannabis testing image

Chromatography is one of the most popular methods to test whether cannabis is safe for use or not. This has become an important part of the cannabis industry and the many new regulations that come with it. To ensure the health and well-being of consumers, chromatography is undergoing a major overhaul.

The cannabis industry is growing exponentially thanks to the legalization of medicinal and recreational cannabis in many places around the world. Take the US, for example, where a growing legion of states have fully legalized both forms of cannabis.

Canada has upped the ante further by enacting countrywide legalization of cannabis beginning in late-October 2018. As a result, individual states and provinces are mandating that all cannabis products adhere to certain regulations and are tested to assure consumers of their safety.

Many of these regulations require growers to test their plants for any signs of pesticide, solvent, and heavy metal contamination. Testing the intensity of cannabinoid potency is also a serious step required by regulations.

This ensures that the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) levels are under certain thresholds and do not exceed the stipulated standards. THC is the cannabinoid responsible for cannabis’ psychedelic effects, while cannabidiol boasts other beneficial features.

GROWING DEMAND REQUIRES HIGHER TESTING STANDARDS

With this in mind, how are these tests actually done? Well, there are a number of testing methods, but one of the best and most popular is chromatography.

HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY (HPLC)

Almost half of the cannabis testing market goes through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Meanwhile, the remaining prefer to implement thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC), and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC).

HPLC is the method of choice when it comes to potency testing because it doesn’t require heating procedures. It also provides more accurate analysis compared to the other methods.

On the other hand, gas chromatography is used for residual solvent screening because it can accurately detect the presence of risky volatile compounds. All this is done to ensure the safety of the consumer market, knowing that the cannabis industry is now becoming mainstream.

 

Chromatography For Testing Cannabis

CENTRIFUGAL PARTITION CHROMATOGRAPHY (CPC)

Centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) is another method used to extract and purify CBD for research purposes. Though this is not yet widely used, its popularity is growing steadily because it is less expensive compared to the other methods. This is because it doesn’t use silica like HPLC and others. Instead, it makes use of a liquid stationary phase to facilitate the testing process.

What’s great about this method is that one can reuse the CPC columns without risking residue leaks. Another cool thing with CPC is that it only requires around 30 minutes of processing time, saving lots of time (and therefore money) compared to other methods. CPC is similar to HPLC as it uses a mobile and stationary phase, except CPC uses liquid for the stationary phase. Moreover, CPC ultimately produces a purer compound than HPLC, with extracts of the former reaching nearly 100% purity.

CANNABIS TESTING METHODS

The methods followed by cannabis testing labs aren’t exclusive to the cannabis industry, however, there are now a growing number of vendors who offer specialised cannabis testing instruments. Take for example Shimadzu’s Cannabis Analyzer for Potency, which analyses cannabinoid levels using HPLC.

It features reporting and analysis software where you can choose from three different analysis methods. These are high sensitivity, high throughput, and high resolution. The G908 3-in-1 GC-HPMS of 908 Devices is another tool that analyses terpene levels, total potency, and residual solvent. It does this by combining ballistic gas chromatography and high pressure mass spectrometry.

Clearly, the cannabis testing market is still in its infancy, but it’s expected that more advancements are coming to chromatography devices. The more regulations are implemented, the higher the demand will be for testing instruments.

Laser Chromatography For Cannabis Cannabinoids

LIMITATIONS

There is no doubt that CPC is great when it comes to extracting CBD. However, it's important for growers to know that the method does have some limitations. Up until now, and despite several developments in the industry, the majority of purification specialists still can’t find a way to optimise it to their liking. CPC also isn’t suitable for all situations because it isn’t considered an analytical technique.

This is the reason why, at present, an analytical HPLC platform is needed to produce high-quality chromatogram CBD identifiers.

( All copyright rights for the information used here, belong to https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/Cannabis-Blog )

 

You May aslo be interested in Greyound's Range of Syringe Filters

You May Also be Interested in Greyhound's Range of Syringe Filters

Q-Fil Certified Syringe Filters

 

HPLC Certified Syringe Filters

 

Q-Fil Certified Syringe Filters set the new Quality standard for today’s laboratory syringe filters Manufactured from the highest quality medical grade high density polypropylene, Q-Fil Certified Syringe Filters provide excellent chemical compatibility with acids, alcohols, bases, ethers, glycols, ketones and oils, with maximum operating temperatures of 135°C.

 

Every colour-coded filter is printed with the individual batch number, details of the membrane material and its pore size, on the outside rim of the filter, making them unique for traceability, GLPs and validation purposes.

 

BUY HERE

 

Colour coded Syringe Filters

 

Why filter your samples for HPLC?

 

• To protect the HPLC column, the column inlet frits and capillary columns against blockage (plugging) caused by particulate matter in the sample
• To protect injection valves from damage caused by scratching and wear of the valves internal components, caused by harmful particulate matter in the unfiltered sample, thereby reducing instrument downtime.

 

 

 

About our Quality Control procedures

 

• Every batch of filters is tested by an independent laboratory to ISO 17025 quality procedures

 

• Every individual Q-Fil Certified Syringe Filter is visually inspected to ensure it meets our manufacturing and quality control specifications
• Samples of all our syringe filters and their respective raw technical data are stored for a period of 5 years from the date of manufacture for future reference
• Each batch of filters is tested prior to release for
- External Dimensions
- Bubble Point
- Burst Pressure
- Filter Integrity
- Water Flow Rate
- UV Extractables and compliance with all technical procedures

 

 

 

Why use Greyhound Q-Fil Certified Syringe Filters?

 

• Q-Fil Certified Syringe Filters are manufactured in compliance with ISO 9001:2000 quality procedures

 

• Every box is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis and Conformance to guarantee its batch to batch quality and performance
• The unique encapsulating process developed for these filters, forces the sample to pass only through the membrane, thus avoiding the possibility of leaks or contamination
• Available in the most popular sizes, porosities and membrane types
• Excellent resistance to all routinely used HPLC solvents
• Filter housings are manufactured from high density medical grade polypropylene
• Extremely low level of extractables for highly sensitive work
• Luer connections fully comply with ISO 594-1
• Filters are available with standard and ‘SlimTip’ sized outlets

 

 

 

Selecting the right Q-Fil Certified Syringe Filter

 

• Choose the size of filter based on the volume of sample to be filtered

 

• Choose the filters porosity based on the size of the potential particulates in the sample. It is important to be aware that the finer the porosity of the membrane the greater the pressure will be required to pass the sample through the filter. A sample containing large quantities of particulates is best filtered using a filter with a built-in glass fibre pre-filter
• Choose the type of membrane based on the solvent being filtered.

 


Filter Sizes

 


All our filters have female Luer Lock inlets and are available in three diameters -

 

25mm Diameter
Designed for large sample volumes or solvent filtration
Wide cross sectional area 3.55cm2
Maximum filtration volume >10ml
Maximum operating pressure 550 Kpa

 

13mm Diameter
Suitable for most applications
Filtration area of 0.95cm2
Maximum filtration volume 1 to 10ml Maximum operating pressure 750 Kpa Now available with ‘SlimTip’ (ST) outlet

 

4mm Diameter
Suitable for most applications Ideal for small samples <1ml Pore sizes of 0.20µm and 0.45µm
SlimTip Filters (ST)
13mm diameter syringe filters are now available with the new ‘SlimTip’ outlet for direct filling of microvials.

 

 

 

Pore Sizes

 


Q-Fil Certified Syringe Filters are available in 0.20µm and 0.45µm pore sizes. The 0.20µm filters remove the smallest particulates whilst the 0.45µm filters are designed to remove particulates which would be detrimental to most analytical columns.

 


Pre-filters (page 6) have a glass microfibre membrane which is chemically inert and resists most solvents. Q-Fil glass microfibre pre-filters are recommended for removing large particulates from the sample and are ideal for dissolution tests.

 

Glass microfibre membranes are also available mounted before the microporous filter membrane in the polypropylene housing. The glass pre-filter removes the larger particulates and prevents premature clogging of the filter.

 

 CONTACT US

 Tel:        +44 (0) 151 649 4000  

 Web:     www.greyhoundchrom.com  

 Email:   info@greyhoundchrom.com

 

FOLLOW US 

 

Facebook Icon Twitter Icon Instagram Icon LinkedIn Icon   

 

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN OUR NEWSLETTER  

 

SIGN UP HERE  

 

Greyhound Monthly Newsletter  

 

CATALOGUE DOWNLOADS  

 

Greyhound Q-Fil catalogue  Greyhound reference standards guide Greyhound Zpure Catalogue  Trajan GC Supplies catalogue

 Greyhound Chromatography Q-Range Vials Catalogue Image  Wellington Laboratories Catalogue 2021-2023   Chem Service Catalogue Image  Chem Service Pesticides Catalogue Image

  High Purity Standards Catalogue Cover