Analytical methods for the rapid assessment of cannabis extract products in industrial applications

Characterization of cannabis extract in an industrial setting is required for both quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) purposes. More importantly, having a rapid, straightforward, and streamlined process is essential for the daily operational success of any QC and QA department. Using robust physical techniques such as polarimetry, refractometry, and densitometry, the physical properties of three distinct compositions of cannabis extract in carrier oil were characterized: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and a THC/CBD mixture. In addition, the shelf life of these samples was assessed using an accelerated oxidation method and were subsequently characterized by polarimetry, refractometry, and densitometry. In addition to the initial characterization of the cannabis products, a concentration dependency of these mixtures was investigated utilizing these techniques. Moreover, these quantitative methods were utilized to evaluate cannabis mixtures pre- and post-oxidation. The oxidation of mixtures largely resulted in higher density and lower refractive index values with the optical rotation values remaining unaffected by the oxidation process. These findings were supported by HPLC data providing validation of these qualitative techniques for assessment of oxidation in cannabis oil. Overall, these simple and straightforward techniques allow for the accurate and precise measurements of cannabis oil rapidly and effectively with a focus on industrial applications.