Sequential Extraction Method Enhances Cannabinoid Testing Accuracy in Cannabis Flower

Cannabis laboratories are shifting towards sequential extraction methods to improve the accuracy of cannabinoid testing in cannabis flowers, as traditional spike recovery experiments prove inadequate. High concentrations of cannabinoids in cannabis flowers render spike recovery ineffective due to its inability to accurately measure extraction efficiency. This inadequacy arises because the spiked analytes only constitute a minor fraction of the total cannabinoids present, leading to misleading recovery results

Sequential extraction studies are emerging as the preferred method for validating cannabinoid extraction efficiency. This process involves repeated extractions of the same cannabis flower sample until no additional cannabinoids are detected. This approach provides a more reliable assessment of extraction completeness, ensuring that analytical methods accurately reflect the cannabinoid content in the sample

Experts recommend sequential extraction as it allows laboratories to optimize their extraction parameters and validate their methods rigorously. By adjusting variables such as solvent composition and extraction time, labs can ensure that their methods are thorough and defensible, satisfying both scientific and regulatory standards. This method also addresses challenges specific to cannabis flowers, such as solvent penetration issues and analyte retention in plant tissues

Regulatory bodies often require spike recovery experiments, but these are unsuitable for high-cannabinoid matrices like cannabis flowers. The mismatch between the high native cannabinoid levels and the low-concentration spikes leads to a false sense of method performance. Sequential extraction, on the other hand, can highlight inefficiencies in the extraction process that spike recovery might overlook

Looking ahead, the adoption of sequential extraction methods could set a new standard for cannabinoid testing in the cannabis industry. By providing a more accurate and reliable measure of cannabinoid content, this method could enhance the credibility of potency results reported by labs. As the industry continues to grow, such advancements in testing methodologies are crucial for maintaining quality and consumer trust