Cannabinoid Analysis
All cannabinoids listed are tested using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography – Diode Array Detection (HPLC-DAD)
Cannabinoids are the terpeno-phenolic compounds unique to Cannabis that give the herb its multitude of medicinal properties. Cannabinoids are odourless and flavourless compounds located in the trichomes of leaves and mature flowers. It is the terpenes that give the plant aroma and flavour. There are many (over 100 discovered) different cannabinoids found in various quantities in different strains of Cannabis. The variations of cannabinoids and terpenes present in a given strain gives that strain its unique effect, taste and smell.
The most abundant cannabinoids, and their carboxylic acids, known to have medicinal properties, are tested for in our laboratory. Our professional lab technician uses High Pressure (Performance) Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technology to detect and quantify specific cannabinoids using known analytical standards.
The process begins with a dry-weight determination of the cannabis sample, then cannabinoid extraction into a solvent using sonication and centrifugation and finally injection into the HPLC. The resulting graph is compared to known cannabinoid standard solutions.
At Pura Analytical Labs, our current methods allow us to detect and quantify the following cannabinoids:
Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol
(Δ9-THC & THC Acid)
THC is the primary psychoactive component of the cannabis plant and has been studied the most of all cannabioids for medicinal qualities. For example, THC may ease moderate pain, be antiemetic (anti-nausea) and antispastic (beneficial for MS and other spasm related disorders). The carboxylic acid form of THC does not posess any psychoactive properties, and has limited medicinal value, therefore must be decarboxylated (via heat and or oxidation) before use. THC exists as THC Acid in the natural plant, which is indicative of the total THC availeble once decarboxylated.
Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol
(Δ8-THC)
Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol is chemically very similar to delta 9 THC and also psychoactive (but less so) and not abundant in natural cannabis products. It can occur in significant amounts when high heat is employed to produce distillates and some extracts.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin
(THCV & THCV Acid)
Tetrahydrocannabivarin is a variant of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) having a 3-carbon side chain instead of a 5-carbon chain on the molecule. This makes it produce very different effects from THC. This moderately psychoactive variant of THC may suppress appetite and aid in regulating blood sugar levels
Cannabidiol
(CBD & CBD Acid)
Cannabidiol, an isomer of THC, is a non- psychoactive cannabinoid with sedative, anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic qualities known to relieve convulsion, fight inflammation, ease nausea, and may even inhibit the growth of some types of cancer cells. CBD extracts have shown a lot of promise in patients with epilepsy. The acid form is less potent and must be heated or oxidated to achieve the active form.
Cannabidivarin
(CBV & CBV Acid)
Cannabidivarin is an isomer of CBD with similar chemical structure to CBD with 2 less carbons on the carbon chain. CBV has anti- convulsive and anti-epilectic proporties.
Cannabigerol
(CBG & CBG Acid)
Cannabigerol is the precursor cannabinoid to all cannabinoids. The amount of CBG may indicate the maturity of the product. Some studies suggest CBG may posess anti-inflamatory properties.
Cannabinol
(CBN)
Cannabinol is a cannabinoid derived from the degradation of THC over time and, when properly measured, can help determine both the freshness of samples and their level of psycho-activity. CBN offers a mild sedative effect for patients with various degrees of insomnia.
Cannabichromene
(CBC)
Cannabichromene is a lesser known cannabinoid found in low concentrations but may show promise in mood elevation (anti-depressant), as well as inflamatory properties and pain relief.