Book:Past, Present, and Future of Cannabis Laboratory Testing and Regulation in the United States/Cannabis testing instruments, software, and equipment/Vendors: Q through Z

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4.3 Vendors: Q through Z

4.3.1 Quantum Analytics, LLC

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://www.lqa.com/industry/food-agriculture/

Quantum Analytics is a distributor of laboratory analytical instruments. The company markets several of its third-party instruments to cannabis laboratories for applications such as[1]:

  • potency and efficacy testing
  • heavy metals testing
  • mycotoxins analysis
  • pesticide testing
  • residual solvents testing
  • terpene testing

Consult their website or cannabis capabilities flyer for more information.


4.3.2 Restek Corporation

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://www.restek.com/en/industries-and-applications/botanicals/cannabis/

Restek Corporation develops and manufactures chromatography columns and accessories for a wide variety of industries. The company offers a wide variety of supplies for the cannabis testing industry, including[2]:

  • chromatography columns
  • certified reference standards
  • sample preparation and management supplies
  • consumables and accessories for chromatography instruments

Consult their website or catalog to review all their cannabis testing supplies.


4.3.3 Sage Analytics

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://sageanalytics.com/

Sage Analytics develops and manufactures potency testing solutions for the cannabis testing industry.

Instruments and methods

  • Profiler II Humboldt Special Edition: a portable near-infrared spectroscopy device for testing cannabis potency
  • ToxDetective: uses "nano-manipulation technology to orient or encapsulate biomolecules such as proteins/enzymes at the nano scale," which are then applied to a lateral flow assay[3]
  • Beacon: a portable near-infrared spectroscopy device for testing cannabis potency, with an onboard touchscreen; also comes without a touchscreen, marketed as the Luminary Profiler


4.3.4 Scientific Equipment Source, Inc.

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://se-source.com/industries/cannabis-and-hemp-testing/

Scientific Equipment Source, Inc. describes itself as a "one-stop-shop for your laboratory instrumentation requirements be it new or used laboratory equipment or process equipment." The Canadian company has a cannabis processing and testing section detailing all of its new, used, and refurbished options, from biomass handling and batch extraction to cannabis distillation and testing. See the website for more details.


4.3.5 Scientific Repair, Inc.

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://www.srigc.com

Commonly known as SRI Instruments, Scientific Repair, Inc. manufactures and distributes chromatography instruments and accessories. The company's solutions focus on:

  • potency and efficacy testing
  • residual solvents testing
  • terpene testing

Instruments and methods

The company suggests instrument options based on what type of testing will occur.

Potency and efficacy testing

  • Model 310C-MM: a gas chromatography with flame ionization detection instrument, with additional columns for extended analyses
  • Model 420 GC: a gas chromatography with flame ionization detection instrument
  • Model 8610C: a gas chromatography with flame ionization detection instrument, with optional columns for additional analyses

Residual solvents testing

  • Model 310C-MM: a gas chromatography with flame ionization detection instrument, with additional columns for extended analyses
  • Model 8610C: a gas chromatography with flame ionization detection instrument, with optional columns for additional analyses

Terpene testing

  • Model 310C-MM: a gas chromatography with flame ionization detection instrument, with additional columns for extended analyses
  • Model 8610C: a gas chromatography with flame ionization detection instrument, with optional columns for additional analyses

Software

  • PeakSimple: chromatography software for SRI's chromatography instruments


4.3.6 Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc.

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://www.ssi.shimadzu.com/industries/cannabis-testing-solutions/index.html

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc. is a multi-divisional corporation that focuses on creating and distributing medical diagnostic, aerospace, and analytical instrument solutions for a variety of industries. Among their solutions are chromatography, spectrometry, and other cannabis testing solutions for laboratories for purposes of[4]:

  • potency and efficacy testing
  • heavy metals testing
  • moisture content analysis
  • mycotoxins analysis
  • pesticide testing
  • residual solvents testing
  • terpene testing

Instruments and methods

The company suggests instrument options based on what type of testing will occur, via their cannabis testing brochure. Additionally, they offer two advanced tools for research:

  • Nexera UC: a supercritical fluid extraction and supercriticial fluid chromatography liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry instrument
  • MALDI iD-Plus: a microbial identification system

Potency and efficacy testing

  • Cannabis Analyzer for Potency: a high-performance liquid chromatography instrument with three methods: high-throughput, high-sensitivity, and high-resolution
  • LC-2050C 3D: an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography instrument with a photodiode array detector
  • Nexera UC: supercritical fluid chromatography system

Heavy metals testing

  • ICPMS-2030: an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy instrument

Moisture content analysis

Mycotoxins analysis

Pesticide testing

Residual solvents testing

Terpene testing

  • GCMS-TQ8050 NX: a triple quadrupole gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry instrument that can be paired with the HS-20 NX headspace sampler and NIST Mass Spectral Library
  • GCMS-QP2020 NX: a single-quad gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer that can be paired with the HS-20 NX headspace sampler or the AOC-6000 Plus] autosampler

Software

  • LabSolutions: a suite of software tools that allows users to control instruments and view instrument data, and it can create and export files (spreadsheets) of instrument data that can be mapped to a database in an interfaced laboratory information management system (LIMS)


4.3.7 Sigma-Aldritch, Inc. / MilliporeSigma, Inc.

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/applications/environmental-testing-and-industrial-hygiene/cannabis-testing

Note: Sigma-Aldritch, Inc. was acquired by Millipore and became MilliporeSigma, Inc. The Sigma-Aldritch website is still active and demonstrates its cannabis testing materials; however, the website will likely change in the future.

Sigma-Aldritch, Inc., which has become MilliporeSigma, Inc., distributes lab materials and technologies for various industries. This includes the cannabis testing industry, with supplies like[5]:

  • chromatography columns
  • certified reference materials
  • solvents and reagents
  • sample preparations kits
  • laboratory equipment

See their cannabis testing catalog for more details.


4.3.8 SPEX CertiPrep, Inc.

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://www.spex.com/Product/OrganicCertifiedReferenceMaterials

SPEX CertiPrep, Inc. is a distributor of certified reference materials and sample preparation equipment for analytical spectroscopy. The company markets standards for many types of cannabis testing, as well a few sample preparation instruments such as mills and grinders. Consult their website for available supplies, as well as their online standards catalog.


4.3.9 ST2 Service Technologies, Inc.

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://mjtestequipment.com

ST2 Service Technologies, Inc.—doing business as Analytical Instrument Management or AIM—"provides tools, instrumentation, education and support to several full-panel [cannabis] testing labs operating around the US, along with extractors, manufacturers, and cultivators."[6] The company provides new, used, and refurbished analytical instruments for cannabis and other testing laboratories. Consult their online catalog for available options.


4.3.10 Thermo Fisher Scientific

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/products-and-services/promotions/industrial/cannabis-testing-canada.html

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a multi-divisional corporation that develops, manufactures, and distributes a wide variety of technologies for research and analytical laboratories. The company markets cannabis testing solutions to the Canadian market. Among its offerings are solutions for[7]:

  • potency and efficacy testing
  • heavy metals testing
  • mold and bacteria analysis
  • mycotoxins analysis
  • pesticide testing
  • residual solvents testing

Aside from instruments, Thermo Fisher also lists a variety of chromatography columns and sample preparation kits for each type of testing. Consult the website for more on these items.

Instruments and methods

The company suggests instrument options based on what type of testing will occur.[7]

Potency and efficacy testing

  • Vanquish UHPLC Systems: numerous ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography instruments
  • UltiMate 3000 HPLC Systems: high- and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography systems, with four different variations of preparation
  • TSQ Altis and TSQ Quantis: liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with triple-stage quadrupole instruments, with the Quantis having greater mass range
  • Q Exactive Hybrid: liquid chromatography mass spectrometry that has "quadruple precursor ion selection with high-resolution, accurate-mass (HRAM) Orbitrap detection"
  • TRACE 1600: a gas chromatography / gas chromatography mass spectrometry instrument
  • ISQ 7610: gas chromatography mass spectrometry with single quadrupole
  • Orbitrap Exploris GC: gas chromatography mass spectrometry with Orbitrap technology
  • Orbitrap Exploris GC 240: gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with Orbitrap technology

Heavy metals testing

  • iCAP Pro Series ICP-OES: a series of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments
  • iCAP RQ ICP-MS: an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instrument with single quadrupole
  • iCAP TQ ICP-MS: an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instrument with triple quadrupole

Mold and bacteria analysis

Mycotoxins analysis

  • Vanquish UHPLC Systems: numerous ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography instruments
  • UltiMate 3000 HPLC Systems: high- and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography systems, with four different variations of preparation
  • TSQ Altis and TSQ Quantis: liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with triple-stage quadrupole instruments, with the Quantis having greater mass range
  • Q Exactive Hybrid: liquid chromatography mass spectrometry that has "quadruple precursor ion selection with high-resolution, accurate-mass (HRAM) Orbitrap detection"

Pesticide testing

  • Vanquish UHPLC Systems: numerous ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography instruments
  • UltiMate 3000 HPLC Systems: high- and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography systems, with four different variations of preparation
  • TSQ Altis and TSQ Quantis: liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with triple-stage quadrupole instruments, with the Quantis having greater mass range
  • Q Exactive Hybrid: liquid chromatography mass spectrometry that has "quadruple precursor ion selection with high-resolution, accurate-mass (HRAM) Orbitrap detection"
  • TSQ 9610: gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with triple quadrupole
  • Orbitrap Exploris 120: mass spectrometry with Orbitrap technology
  • Orbitrap Exploris GC 240: gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with Orbitrap technology

Residual solvents testing

  • TRACE 1600: a gas chromatography / gas chromatography mass spectrometry instrument
  • TriPlus 500: a headspace autosampler for gas chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry instruments
  • TriPlus RSH: an autosampler for headspace and/or liquid injection with gas chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry instruments
  • ISQ 7610: gas chromatography mass spectrometry with single quadrupole
  • TSQ 9610: gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with triple quadrupole

Software


4.3.11 VICAM

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://www.vicam.com/markets/botanicals

VICAM, a subsidiary of Waters Corporation, develops and distribute mycotoxin testing supplies. While the company makes no mention of cannabis testing on its website, it does offer mycotoxin testing solutions for botanical products, primarily testing for[8]:

  • Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, and M2
  • Bisphenol A
  • Citrinin
  • Deoxynivalenol
  • Fumonisins B1, B2, and B3
  • Ochratoxin A
  • T-2/HT-2
  • Zearalenone


4.3.12 Waters Corporation

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://www.waters.com/waters/en_US/Cannabis-and-Hemp-Testing-Solutions/nav.htm?cid=135005280

Waters Corporation specialty measurement instruments for laboratories from a wide array of industries. The company details that its instruments can handle cannabis testing activities such as[9][10][11][12][13][14]:

  • potency and efficacy testing
  • mycotoxins
  • pesticide testing

Instruments and methods

Waters instrument options are based on what equipment was used for specific testing as indicated in its white papers, as well as what's suggested on their cannabis landing page. Additionally, Waters offers an extraction system for botanical matrices:

Potency and efficacy testing

  • ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector: a mass detector that can bused in conjunction with UPLC, UPC2, and Alliance HPLC systems (see below) for mass confirmation of cannabinoids
  • ACQUITY UPLC Systems: an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography suite of systems, including the H-, I, and M-Class systems
  • ACQUITY UPC2 System: an ultra-high-performance convergence chromatography system that uses CO2 as a primary mobile phase component
  • Alliance HPLC System: a high-performance liquid chromatography instrument, with integrated solvent and sample management

Mycotoxins

Pesticide testing

  • Xevo TQ-S micro with an ACQUITY UPLC system : an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry instrument with triple quadrupole
  • Xevo TQ-GC: gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry instrument with triple quadrupole


4.3.13 Willow Industries, LLC

Main landing page for cannabis and hemp testing: https://willowindustries.com/

Willow Industries, LLC is a Colorado-based cannabis decontamination technology business and consultancy. The company produces the WillowPure, a device that allows users to reduce the microbial contamination levels of cannabis. The device comes in versions that support up to 10 to 40 pounds throughput.[15] Consult the website for more details.

References

  1. "Food & agriculture". Quantum Analytics, LLC. https://www.lqa.com/industry/food-agriculture/. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 
  2. "Cannabis Application Area". Restek Corporation. https://www.restek.com/en/industries-and-applications/botanicals/cannabis/. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 
  3. "Introducing the ToxDetective" (PDF). Sage Analytics. March 2020. https://toxdetective.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ToxD_bro_lo_32520.pdf. Retrieved 10 January 2021. 
  4. "Cannabis and Hemp Testing Solutions". Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc. https://www.ssi.shimadzu.com/industries/cannabis-testing-solutions/index.html. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 
  5. "Cannabis Testing: Quality You Can Trust" (PDF). Sigma-Aldritch, Inc. March 2017. https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/sigma-aldrich/docs/Sigma-Aldrich/General_Information/1/cannabis-testing.pdf. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 
  6. "About Analytical Instrument Management". ST2 Service Technologies, Inc. https://mjtestequipment.com/about.htm. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Cannabis Testing in Canada". Thermo Fisher Scientific. https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/products-and-services/promotions/industrial/cannabis-testing-canada.html. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 
  8. "Botanicals". VICAM. https://www.vicam.com/markets/botanicals. Retrieved 10 January 2021. 
  9. "Cannabis and Hemp Testing Solutions". Waters Corporation. https://www.waters.com/waters/en_US/Cannabis-and-Hemp-Testing-Solutions/nav.htm?cid=135005280. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 
  10. "Building Laboratory Capacity to Ensure Cannabis Safety, Quality, and Efficacy" (PDF). Waters Corporation. August 2018. https://www.waters.com/webassets/cms/library/docs/720006394en.pdf. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 
  11. Tran, K.; Twohig, M; Young, M. et al. (September 2018). "Determination of the Oregon Pesticide List in Cannabis Using a Simple Extraction Procedure with dSPE Cleanup and UPLC-MS/MS" (PDF). Waters Corporation. https://www.waters.com/webassets/cms/library/docs/720006373en.pdf. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 
  12. Aubin, A.J.; Layton, C.; Helmueller, S. (November 2018). "Separation of 16 Cannabinoids in Cannabis Flower and Extracts Using a Reversed-Phase Isocratic HPLC Method" (PDF). Waters Corporation. https://www.waters.com/webassets/cms/library/docs/720006426en.pdf. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 
  13. "Mass Confirmation of Cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa by Using HPTLC-QDa" (PDF). Waters Corporation. July 2017. https://www.waters.com/webassets/cms/library/docs/720006047en.pdf. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 
  14. Gottardi, M.; Ferron, F.; Lee, R. et al. (September 2018). "Using UPLC-MS/MS for the Determination of Carboxy-THC (cTHC) in Hair for Forensic Toxicology" (PDF). Waters Corporation. https://www.waters.com/webassets/cms/library/docs/720006363en.pdf. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 
  15. "The Organic Cannabis Kill Step". Willow Industries, LLC. https://willowindustries.com/willowpure-systems/. Retrieved 08 July 2022. 


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Citation information for this chapter

Chapter: 4. Cannabis testing instruments, software, and equipment

Title: Past, Present, and Future of Cannabis Laboratory Testing and Regulation in the United States

Edition: Fourth edition

Author for citation: Shawn E. Douglas

License for content: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Publication date: August 2022