Extraction

John A. MacKay, Synergistic Technologies Associates and Brian C. Smith, Big Sur Scientific discuss the biggest challenges in cannabis related to extraction.

An overview of extraction terminology, specific types of extraction methodologies, and clarification on some common misconceptions

Dr. Markus Roggen discusses his experiences in the industry and what extraction methods he has used.

Dr. Les Brown, Managing Director of AECS-QuikPrep Ltd., recently spoke to us about the benefits of countercurrent chromatography (CCC) compared to other methods as well as the work his company has been doing to advance the technique for their clients in the cannabis industry.

The method described here allows for the simultaneous analysis of 47 pesticides and five mycotoxins in cannabis in one simple QuEChERS procedure. This simple method is designed for implementation in start-up laboratories and in established laboratories that wish to streamline their sample preparation process, decrease solvent usage, and obtain accurate and fast results.

Well-established techniques used by the food safety industry, such as QuEChERS sample preparation followed by LC–MS/MS for the analysis of multiresidue pesticides, are evaluated for use with cannabis plant material.

Headspace SPME combined with GC–MS for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of terpenes in cannabis offers several advantages compared to other methods. It does not require the use of organic solvents, does not coextract matrix, and provides additional means of peak identification and purity using spectral data. It is also a nondestructive method.

An interview with Jeff Dahl, an applications scientist at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments; Joe Konschnik, a business development manager for the food and beverage market at Restek Corporation; Andre Santos, the Americas market development manager at Agilent Technologies; Alicia D. Stell, the CEM product development lab manager; and Xiaoyan Wang, a research scientist at UCT

QuEChERS is introduced to the discipline of forensic testing as a viable method for the extraction of pesticides and cannabinoids in various complex sample matrices