Testing Process

Testing the concentrations of the cannabinoids present in a product is one of the most important tests to carry out. Not only does it verify the label claims and confirm that the CBD content is as high as those label claims, it also ensures that the products do not contain the illicit and intoxicating substances from the cannabis plant such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). 

Heavy metals are potentially toxic and so it is imperative that products are checked to ensure that they do not contain excessive levels of compounds such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium.

Metals are usually absorbed by the roots of the cannabis plant, directly from the soil and so it must be confirmed that these are removed during the extraction process.

Testing for heavy metals is usually carried out by ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) which allows the analysts to detect trace levels of metals potentially left in the extracted oil.

Organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol and butanol are regularly used in the extraction process, either as the primary extraction solvent or as a co-solvent (as you would see in processes such as Supercritical CO2 extraction). These solvents are then removed(by evaporation; however, it is important to independently verify that this is the case so that you can ensure that your products are free of contaminants.

The terpene profile is what gives a specific strain of cannabis its distinct flavour, taste and aroma. Whilst cannabinoids are widely regarded to be the main contributor towards the effect of cannabis-based products, terpenes have also been shown to contribute to the overall effects. Analysis is usually carried out by GC-MS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry).

It is very common for farmers to use pesticides to protect their crops from destruction caused by things such as insects, rodents, and fungi. There are accepted legal limits allowed for this purpose, however, they are not without risk, especially at high levels. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that any residual pesticides have been removed during the extraction process. Laboratories commonly use a triple quad LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry) instrument to carry out this testing to extremely low levels with incredible specificity.

The conditions in which cannabis is grown are unfortunately also ideal for the growth of microorganisms and bacteria. Therefore, microbial testing must be carried out to ensure that there are no harmful contaminants present. Some of the potential contaminants can be extremely harmful to human health. A full suite of microbial testing usually includes testing for E.Coli, Salmonella, total aerobic plate count and total yeast and mould count. 

As part of the Novel Foods application process, there is a requirement to carry out even more stringent (and highly expensive) testing to meet the needs of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the European Foods Safety Agency (EFSA). This includes carrying out ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion) studies, stability studies and complex toxicological studies to justify the safety of your products. All this work further reinforces Naturecan’s efforts to ensure that our customers receive the highest quality and safest CBD products available.

Stability studies are carried out to measure the effects of environmental conditions on the quality of a product. This ultimately provides the product with an accurate shelf life, or best before end date. Typical stability studies measure the concentration of the CBD over time along with potential degradants. Other more basic lab work is usually carried out on things such as pH levels, moisture, and appearance. During this process, samples are kept in controlled storage conditions to ensure the consistency and reliability of the results.