Ensuring Hemp Oil Quality/Safety: Agilent’s Liquid Chromatography-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Analysis Technology

Agilent’s liquid chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS) technology is assisting government, biopharmaceutical companies, and CROs with profiling and quantifying chemicals in hemp using both a discovery-based and targeted methodologies for medical research and commercial hemp products. The technology is helping these industries advance discovery and development in cannabinoid research and assisting regulators in upholding hemp product safety and quality standards. 

The cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa) from which psychoactive marijuana and non-psychoactive hemp are derived, has more than 66 cannabinoid compounds [1] and the potential benefits of these compounds have not been fully uncovered. Hempseed, from which hemp oils are extracted, also contains all the essential amino acids (AA), is rich in essential fatty acids (FA) and protein, and is an excellent source of calcium, iron, zinc and other essential minerals [2]. It is therefore critical that hemp oils and hemp-based products can be adequately tested to assure psychoactive ?⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is < 0.3% by weight and to characterize total cannabinoid content as well as other chemicals such as AA, FA, excipients, and even potential adulterants, to ensure the safety and quality of these products.

Agilent’s LC-TOF-MS can analyze very tiny samples of hemp oil with unmatched speed and sensitivity compared to traditional fixed-wavelength UV detection. In a recent study, the technology accurately and efficiently determined different forms of THC present and in what quantity across seven samples of commercially available hemp oils.

References:

1. Huestis, M. A. Human Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetics. Chem, Biodivers., 4, 8, 1770–1804, (2007).
2. Rodriguez-Leyva1, D., Pierce, G. N. The cardiac and haemostatic effects of dietary hempseed. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2010; 7: 32.