Compact Mass Spectrometry (CMS) for the Detection and Quantification of Chemical Compounds Related to Cannabis

The cannabinoid makeup of cannabis has significantly changed over the past few decades. Efforts to increase the psychotropic effects of cannabis have resulted in a THC content for current strains of the crop of 30 to 40 percent compared with only 5 percent 30 years ago. Up-regulating the THC content of the plant causes a loss of other cannabinoids the plant is producing. Some of these other cannabinoids, such as CBD, are believed to be responsible for its medical benefits.

Furthermore, no pesticides can currently legally be used during the production process. However, a recent test showed that two out of three samples of legal cannabis samples had pesticide residues above the legal limit for an edible. Once sample exceeded the limit by a factor of 1,600. Such a sample poses a consumer health risk and clearly shows the potential for illegal growing procedures or unclear product streams in the marketplace.

Additionally, cannabis contains more than 400 chemical compounds, 80 of which are unique to cannabis. This fact, plus the finding of cannabinoid receptors in human nerve, immune and brain cells explains why this product is such an interesting target for medicinal use.

This webinar examines three different workflows surrounding compact mass spectrometry as they apply to cannabis law enforcement, it’s natural product research, and product control.

Tools for the Cannabis Testing Lab

In this webinar, Advion’s Scientific Founder, Jack Henion, Ph.D., will discuss his research using a direct analysis probe coupled with the expression CMS to analyze chemical compounds in Cannabis.

During this webinar you will learn more about:

  • A simple, sensitive and selective ASAP sample introduction approach to measure the presence and relative quantitative composition of two isobaric compounds, CBDA and THCA, contained in a complex sample such as hemp or cannabis plants or their corresponding extraction products.
  • Measurement of differences in the relative composition of CBDA and THCA fragment ions originating from the same precursor ion.
  • Applicability to screening plant and plant product materials such as hemp or marijuana to monitor out-of-specification composition.This webinar was featured by Lab Manager’s Tech Trends webinar series, “Tools for the Cannabis Testing Lab.”

This webinar was hosted by Lab Manager and recorded 4/11/19.

Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe for Direct Mass Analysis of Liquid & Solid Samples

The expression® CMS provides essential information quickly and improves the chemist’s workflow by using a direct analysis probe, otherwise known as ASAP® (Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe) permits chemists affordable and reliable sample analysis of solid and liquid samples such as reaction mixtures, food samples, natural products and tablets.

Chemists simply dip the closed end of a glass capillary into the sample of interest (even complex mixtures) or scrape the surface of a solid, and then place the capillary into the CMS for analysis. Clean-up and analysis is a single step. Involatile buffers and salts remain on the capillary ensuring they do not suppress ionization or interfere with the measurement, while the compounds of interest are identified by the CMS.

Plate Express®: How it Works

Advion Interchim Scientific’s Plate Express® is ideal for fast, easy TLC/MS analysis. Coupled with the expression® Compact Mass Spectrometer (CMS), the TLC plate reader allows prep-free sampling and data in less than 30 seconds.

ASAP®: How it Works

Advion’s direct atmospheric solids analysis probe, otherwise known as ASAP®, permits chemists fast and reliable sample analysis of liquid and solid samples such as reaction mixtures, food samples, natural products and tablets.

Innovations in Mass Spectrometry – Peak Express Software

During this webinar you will learn more about:

  • A new type of mass spectrum: the Delta Spectrum (ΔS). The patented ΔS is able to look beyond chemical noise and automatically detect even the smallest peaks without knowing the m/z.
  • How to easily find adducts, dimers, fragments, side-reactions and other unexpected compounds at the click of a button, in real-time or with post-processing.
  • How to use Peak Express software to highlight minor components in complex mixtures and dirty matrices, and can give you the ability to control mass-directed purification without providing the compound mass.
  • How to easily acquire XIC-quality data while scanning the entire mass range, allowing Peak Express™ to tell you the m/z.This webinar was featured by Lab Manager’s Tech Trends webinar series, “Innovations in Mass Spectrometry.”

Food and Ingredients Analysis

Integrated Solutions for Food Authenticity, Characterization and Safety with the expression® Compact Mass Spectrometer, AVANT® (U)HPLC and SOLATION® ICP-MS 

Your integrated laboratory solution for comprehensive testing of food, ingredients and natural products. Advion offers a full suite of analytical instrumentation for characterization, screening and purity determination, including:

  • expression® CMS – The expression® Compact Mass Spectrometer (CMS) offers the industry’s widest range of sample introduction systems, providing rapid answers with little or no sample prep in < 30 seconds.
  • SOLATION® ICP-MS – Provides fast, simple, multi-element analysis of toxic metals, and essential elements and minerals in a wide array of samples, including water, soil, plant material, food and raw ingredients 
  • AVANT® HPLC & UHPLC – Advion’s range of modular high performance, liquid chromatography systems can be used standalone with UV and UV/Vis detector options, or with the expression® CMS to provide seamlessly integrated LC/CMS under the full control of Advion’s simple, intuitive software suite. 
  • PLATE EXPRESS® TLC PLATE READER – Plate Express® provides a simple, automated means of obtaining mass spectra directly from TLC plates, combined with Advion’s expression® CMS creating a technique known as TLC/ CMS. See results in < 30 seconds at the push of a button. 

Cannabis Analysis: Potent Solutions for your Budding Lab

Integrated Solutions for Potency and Safety with the expression® Compact Mass Spectrometer and SOLATION® ICP-MS

Outfit your lab with Advion Interchim Scientific’s line of custom cannabis solutions, including the expression® Compact Mass Spectrometer (CMS), the SOLATION® ICP-MS, and a customizable (U)HPLC solution.

Your Complete Lab Solution: Advion Interchim Scientific provides integrated laboratory solutions for comprehensive cannabis testing, including potency testing and cannabinoid levels as well as pesticide identification and quantitation of heavy metals.