A Streamlined Cost-Effective Cannabis and Hemp Flower Workflow for Potency Testing

As the cannabis industry sees continued growth, production labs are looking to improve sample throughput and cut costs per sample for potency analysis. Due to ever-changing rules and regulations, it can become difficult to improve existing workflows. Keeping high-throughput labs in mind, a study was completed to obtain a streamline workflow with minimal process time, sample touch time, and keeping the cost of sample prep materials at a minimum. The study was completed by comparing different extraction volumes, vortex times, and using a filter mate versus a centrifuge. A total of 16 cannabinoids were monitored on a UV-vis at 228 nm using a Raptor ARC-18 150 x 4.6 mm 2.7 µm analytical column with an accompanying 5 x 4.6 mm EXP guard under isocratic conditions with a total cycle time of 10 minutes.