How to Perform a Cannabinoid Analysis Test in an Eco-Friendly Way
All cannabis growing and cultivating operations require a reliable testing process in place. This serves two main purposes. The first is that it performs a cannabinoid analysis test, which tells the growers which cannabinoids the product contains, such as THC, CBD, CBG, and so forth.
The other thing that cannabis testing labs test for is the amount (or percentage) of cannabinoids in the product. For a product like hemp, this test is incredibly important because (legally speaking) hemp cannot contain more than 0.3% THC. If it does, the hemp plant must be destroyed at the grower’s expense to ensure it never goes to market.
As you can probably gather, growers and cultivators have come to depend on the cannabis testing process to ensure that their product is ready to be cultivated and processed to hit the market at dispensaries and so forth. However, since most growing operations don’t have their own cannabis testing instruments or equipment, they have come to rely on third-party cannabis testing labs.
The State of Third-Party Testing Labs and Defining Chromatography
The advantage of going with third-party cannabis testing labs is that they are deemed official in the eyes of local and state regulators. They effectively certify when a product is ready to be harvested. However, there are a couple of significant drawbacks to third-party labs.
The first is the cost and the time associated with sending off a product for analysis. Third-party testing does eat into the bottom line, and depending on the testing backlog, can take a significant amount of time. During which, your crops may vastly mature in the interim, meaning the sample you sent will technically be out of date.
The second significant drawback is that third-party testing labs use a process called chromatography. Although it is a widely used analytical technique with a range of scientific applications, it is harmful to the environment and to the lab technicians that are using it (should they not be using proper personal protective equipment).
Chromatography allows for the extraction of individual components in a material by using chemical substances to separate it – or, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This process is used in industries such as food science, forensic science, pharmaceuticals, and, of course, the cannabis industry.
Since chromatography uses hazardous solvents as part of the process, there is now a concerted effort to make the process greener, or green analytical chemistry (GAC), as it’s being called by experts. GAC is the concept that chromatography can be performed without the usage of hazardous chemicals that pollute the planet and are harmful to people.
What Elite Robotics is Doing About It
When we originally launched Elite Robotics in 2016, we did so with a couple primary goals in mind. The first was to be able to put reliable cannabis testing instruments and equipment in the hands of growers and cultivators. By having cannabinoid testing equipment on site, this gives them the advantage of immediacy along with a significant cost savings over time. Imagine getting back lab results the very same day that you remove a sample from your growing operation. No longer would you have to wait days – or even weeks – to get your results back. Additionally, you would get the very same cannabinoid analysis test results a third-party lab provides.
The other main advantage of Elite Robotics cannabis testing lab equipment is that it doesn’t use the traditional chromatography process. Unlike many third-party labs, Elite Robotics has already shifted over to green analytical chemistry and has done away with high performance liquid chromatography. Our products are 100% eco-friendly and sustainable.
Elite Robotics Cannabinoid Analysis Testing Equipment
Elite Robotics features two main cannabis testing instruments that growers and cultivators can use. The first is called the specimen containment device (SCD). It uses innovative MEMS technology and is a patented sealable container that safely stores samples in order to preserve the chain of custody of the product.
The second product is known as the analyzer, which uses state-of-the-art optical technology to test samples from the specimen containment device. It can be used to accurately test potency and purity of cannabis and hemp products so that you can remain in compliance with state and local regulations. It will also identify any potential hazards or contaminants contained within your product. Results are viewable on both Android and Apple products such as laptops, desktops, smartphones, and so forth.
Learn more about our cannabis lab testing equipment or become an investor by contacting Elite Robotics at (805) 987-6217. Or send us a message directly using our contact form.