High-Throughput Extraction of Cannabinoids from Cannabis Analog on the Prep 96 Automated Homogenizer

Cannabinoid quantification is the most common analytical method performed by cannabis producers and testing facilities. Producers are required to define the quantity of cannabinoids in cannabis-based products before release to the market. While there are regional variations in potency testing requirements and more than 60 cannabinoids present in cannabis, producers are typically required to define the quantity of the abundant and psychoactive cannabinoids, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA), Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA), Cannabigerol (CBG), and Cannabinol (CBN) (Figure 1). 1-2

The most common method for cannabis potency testing is to mill the flower or edibles to create a homogenous mixture in the presence of an organic solvent such as methanol. Following centrifugation to pellet debris, the supernatant is further diluted prior to analysis by reverse phase HPLC or mass spectrometry. While the analytical methods are well defined and easily automated, the sample disaggregation process is low-throughput and often tedious. Herein, we evaluate the utility of the Omni Prep 96 automated homogenizer for the extraction of cannabinoids from a spiked cannabis analog.

Table 3: CBD and THC recovery as a function of homogenization time.