Maximization of Analytical Cannabis Extraction Single Process Combined Pressurized Fluid and Dispersive Solid Extraction (EDGE)

Maxim Diel, CEM, Kamp-Lintfort, Germany (maxim.diel@cem.com)

With more states approving recreational and medical marijuana use each year, the need for accurate testing of cannabis and cannabis based products is critical. Samples ranging from flower to edibles to consumer products and more, present challenges in both sample preparation and analysis. With pesticide analysis among the most challenging. Unfortunately some matrices, either by their nature or their economic value, like cannabis, can be difficult to analyze with just the QuEChERS method alone. These cannabis samples can show lower recoveries of pesticides and other target analytes than are often observed with more traditional agricultural products.

Different analytes including pesticides, cannabinoids and terpenes were examined to determine improvement of recovery and method efficiency of the combined extraction apparatus. The new method showed marked improvement in sample throughput and sample extraction recovery for cannabis testing.