Cannabis HPLC Analyzer Accuracy

Cannabis HPLC Analyzer Accuracy

We take the accuracy of our cannabis HPLC analyzer, validation of test methods, and sampling protocols extremely seriously. With our instrument, you will be operating like a certified professional lab. In fact, you can see a comparison of our results to other ca. 140 labs in North America in a cannabis laboratory quality assurance comparison study here.

 

Detection limit of most cannabinoids is 0.03ug/mL (30ppb, 0.000003%)

 

NRC Hemp – Certified Reference Material Study

Measured CannabinoidsCTInstruments HPLCMean value of 140 labs across North AmericaNational Institute of Science and Technology (NIST)
d9-THC0.0467%0.0372%0.0415%
THCA0.1067%0.0911%0.109%
CBD0.5367%0.517%0.584%
CBDA1.607%1.330%1.560%
Total THC0.1433%0.111%0.137%
Total CBD1.947%1.700%1.970%
 

Lower Limit of Quantification (LLOQ)

The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) is the lowest amount of a cannabinoid in a sample that can be quantitatively determined with suitable precision and accuracy using the corresponding method and dilution rates. All values below this threshold are reported as less than LLOQ.

CompoundPlant LLOQ (%,w/w)High % Concentrate LLOQ (%,w/w)
Δ9-THC0.030.04
Δ8-THC0.030.06
Δ9-THCA0.030.06
THCV0.030.04
CBD0.030.03
CBDA0.030.03
CBDV0.030.03
CBG0.030.03
CBGA0.030.03
CBN0.030.03
CBC0.030.05
Note: LLOQ values are dependent on sample dilution. These are values for standard methods but can be modified with dilution in case of need.  

Reproducibility of results

Below are results of measuring a typical hemp sample, followed by an image of stacked 3 consecutive measurements. There are two observations from this measurement:

  1. The retention times are consistent and repeatable, giving the confidence in the ability to correctly identify the correct cannabinoids.
  2. The measured concentrations are very repeatable as indicated by height/area of each peak. The calculated relative standard deviation (RSD) in this case ranges from 1.19% to 1.70%, while for cannabinoids with very low concentrations manifested as very small peaks (in this sample CBN, d9-THC, and d9-THCA) the calculated RSD ranges from 4.62% to 5.63%. In case of need to further refine the latter 3 compounds and improve both accuracy and RSD, the sample would simply be less diluted resulting in higher peaks for these 3 compounds.

Cannabis Testing Simplified CBD sample

Low CBD repeatability RSD 2 Cannabis HPLC Analyzer