elemental analysis of cannabis & cannabis containing food...
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© 2019 CEM Corporation
Print-Ready PosterElemental Analysis of Cannabis & Cannabis Containing Food Products
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Elemental Analysis of Cannabis & Cannabis Containing Food Products
Robert Lockerman, Austin Thornton, Tina Restivo, Leanne Anderson – CEM Corporation
Elemental Analysis of Cannabis & Cannabis Containing Food Products
Abstract
Introduction
Procedure and Method Results and DiscussionSince 1970, marijuana has been designated a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, making it nearly impossible for academic labs to perform cannabis research. However, medicinal use of cannabis is now legal in Canada, 29 US states, the Czech Republic and Israel. With the law under review, the UK is currently licensing cannabis oil on a case-by-case basis, with
the first license granted in June 2018. All of this interest in medical cannabis has highlighted the need for good analysis methodology in this relatively young market. Cannabis analysis is still developing standardized protocols, requirements, and acceptable testing
practices. Typical testing requirements for cannabis and its products include heavy metal analysis, pesticide residue, and the potency of active ingredients such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The terpene content of cannabis is also important. Terpenes have been shown to have beneficial uses for treatment of conditions ranging from cancer and inflammation to anxiety and sleeplessness. It is believed that the combination of terpenes and cannabinoids in cannabis produce a synergistic effect with regards to medical benefits.
Certain heavy metals can cause adverse effects on human health. Toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are persistent once released into the environment and can accumulate in Cannabis plants. Cannabis-based products such as foods, oils, tinctures and salves should be tested for the presence of heavy metals to ensure patient safety and product quality. Cannabis infused edible products have grown in popularity in states that allow recreational use of cannabis. This application note centers around the sample preparation of the top 10 edible products, according to High Times magazine.
InstrumentationA CEM MARS™ 6 microwave digestion system was used to digest the varied samples containing foods, hops, and hop oil. The MARSXpress™ vessel uses a vent and reseal design, which allows for acid vapors to be exhausted while maintaining the sample integrity and elements within the vessel. The 75 mL vessel volume provides for a larger headspace, allowing a larger sample size for a more homogeneous sample. The MARSXpress vessel design uses only three pieces which are easily assembled and placed in a 40-position turntable, prior to placing into the MARS 6 system.
All samples, other than peanut butter and hop oil were crushed, broken, or sliced, prior to adding to the vessel liner, in order to obtain an approximate 0.5 g sample weight. It is important to carefully weigh the oil and peanut butter, as to not get the sample stuck to the sides of the vessel. For peanut butter, a long spatula was used to deposit the sample on the bottom of the liner. For the oil, the inside of the liner was washed down with the acid to make sure all the sample got to the bottom. Table 1 shows the 12 samples that were digested and the preparation method used, prior to placing them into the vessels.
Ten mL of HNO3 was added to each vessel and then allowed to stand for ten minutes prior to sealing and placing in the turntable. The turntable was then placed in the MARS 6 and the Cannabis One Touch™ Method was chosen on the touchscreen. The MARS 6 then counted the number of vessels and applied the precise power required to achieve the optimal digestion temperature of 210 °C. This temperature ensured the complete digestion of the samples, prior to analysis.
The MARS 6 with 75 mL MARSXpress vessels was able to successfully digest all 12 samples in a single batch. All of the samples were completely digested, yielding a clear and particulate-free solution upon dilution with deionized water. The MARS 6 is an ideal digestion system for the cannabis industry because it is able to successfully digest batches of mixed materials, including foods, oils, and plant materials, in as little as 35 minutes. The clear and particulate-free digestate solutions are ideal for analysis by ICP-OES or ICP-MS, as they will yield complete and consistent results.
Figure 1 shows the clear and particulate-free digestates, ready for analysis by ICP or ICP-MS. Note the slight yellow color of the Gummy Bear solution, due to the presence of an aromatic hydrocarbon in the yellow food coloring that is not completely broken down with HNO3. A more aggressive digestion would be required to completely solubilize the yellow coloring, however; all elemental components of the matrix are solubilized by HNO3 only.
Table 1. Samples and Preparation
Figure 1. Clear and Particulate-Free Digestate Solutions
Sample
Brownie Brittle
Chocolate Raisins
Coffee Cake
Dark Chocolate Bar
Granola Bar
Gummy Bears
Hops
Breath Mints
Hop Oil
Peanut Butter
Beef Jerky
Pretzels
Crushed
Whole
Mixed
Broken
Crushed
Cut in half
Whole
Broken
None
None
Ripped
Broken
Preparation
ChocolatePretzelsMintsGummy Bears
Brownie Brittle Chocolate Raisins Coffee Cake
Hop OilBeef JerkyPeanut Butter Granola Bar
Hops
CEM Corporation Authors
• Bob Lockerman
• Austin Thornton
• Tina Restivo
• Leanne Anderson
Presented
March 17-21 2019at Pittconby Bob Lockerman
Poster Content
Abstract
Since 1970, marijuana has been designated a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, making it nearly impossible for academic labs to perform cannabis research. However, medicinal use of cannabis is now legal in Canada, 29 US states, the Czech Republic and Israel. With the law under review, the UK is currently licensing cannabis oil on a case-by-case basis, with the first license granted in June 2018. All of this interest in medical cannabis has highlighted the need for good analysis methodology in this relatively young market. Cannabis analysis is still developing standardized protocols, requirements, and acceptable testing practices. Typical testing requirements for cannabis and its products include heavy metal analysis, pesticide residue, and the potency of active ingredients such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The terpene content of cannabis is also important. Terpenes have been shown to have beneficial uses for treatment of conditions ranging from cancer and inflammation to anxiety and sleeplessness. It is believed that the combination of terpenes and cannabinoids in cannabis produce a synergistic effect with regards to medical benefits.
© 2019 CEM Corporation
Print-Ready PosterElemental Analysis of Cannabis & Cannabis Containing Food Products
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Introduction
Certain heavy metals can cause adverse effects on human health. Toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are persistent once released into the environment and can accumulate in Cannabis plants. Cannabis-based products such as foods, oils, tinctures and salves should be tested for the presence of heavy metals to ensure patient safety and product quality. Cannabis infused edible products have grown in popularity in states that allow recreational use of cannabis. This application note centers around the sample preparation of the top 10 edible products, according to High Times magazine.
Instrumentation
A CEM MARS™ 6 microwave digestion system was used to digest the varied samples containing foods, hops, and hop oil. The MARSXpress™ vessel uses a vent and reseal design, which allows for acid vapors to be exhausted while maintaining the sample integrity and elements within the vessel. The 75 mL vessel volume provides for a larger headspace, allowing a larger sample size for a more homogeneous sample. The MARSXpress vessel design uses only three pieces which are easily assembled and placed in a 40-position turntable, prior to placing into the MARS 6 system.
Procedure and Method
All samples, other than peanut butter and hop oil were crushed, broken, or sliced, prior to adding to the vessel liner, in order to obtain an approximate 0.5 g sample weight. It is important to carefully weigh the oil and peanut butter, as to not get the sample stuck to the sides of the vessel. For peanut butter, a long spatula was used to deposit the sample on the bottom of the liner. For the oil, the inside of the liner was washed down with the acid to make sure all the sample got to the bottom. Table 1 shows the 12 samples that were digested and the preparation method used, prior to placing them into the vessels.
Ten mL of HNO3 was added to each vessel and then allowed to stand for ten minutes prior to sealing and placing in the turntable. The turntable was then placed in the MARS 6 and the Cannabis One Touch™ Method was chosen on the touchscreen. The MARS 6 then counted the number of vessels and applied the precise power required to achieve the optimal digestion temperature of 210 °C. This temperature ensured the complete digestion of the samples, prior to analysis.
Results and Discussion
The MARS 6 with 75 mL MARSXpress vessels was able to successfully digest all 12 samples in a single batch. All of the samples were completely digested, yielding a clear and particulate-free solution upon dilution with deionized water. The MARS 6 is an ideal digestion system for the cannabis industry because it is able to successfully digest batches of mixed materials, including foods, oils, and plant materials, in as little as 35 minutes. The clear and particulate-free digestate solutions are ideal for analysis by ICP-OES or ICP-MS, as they will yield complete and consistent results.
Figure 1 shows the clear and particulate-free digestates, ready for analysis by ICP or ICP-MS. Note the slight yellow color of the Gummy Bear solution, due to the presence of an aromatic hydrocarbon in the yellow food coloring that is not completely broken down with HNO3. A more aggressive digestion would be required to completely solubilize the yellow coloring, however; all elemental components of the matrix are solubilized by HNO3 only.
Table 1: Samples and Preparation
Sample
Brownie Brittle
Chocolate Raisins
Coffee Cake
Dark Chocolate Bar
Granola Bar
Gummy Bears
Hops
Breath Mints
Hop Oil
Peanut Butter
Beef Jerky
Pretzels
Crushed
Whole
Mixed
Broken
Crushed
Cut in half
Whole
Broken
None
None
Ripped
Broken
Preparation
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Gummy Bears Pretzels
Brownie Brittle Coffee Cake
Peanut Butter Hop Oil
Mints Chocolate
Chocolate Raisins Hops
Beef Jerky Granola Bar
Figure 1: Clear and Particulate-Free Digestate Solutions