Cannabis and Hemp

Terpene Profile Analysis

Terpene potency can change from plant to plant based on factors. It can be affected by climate, age of the crop and soil type as well significantly reduced by the heat used during the extraction process that is required to create a final product.

Terpene profile testing is important to consumers that want to know precisely what your flower or finished product contains. Our laboratory analyzes 21 primary terpenes of varying concentrations.

Potency

Potency testing for THC and CBD content is important in ensuring a high-quality product for your customers. Our laboratory conducts potency tests against potency standards to quantify how much THC and CBD is present in your cannabis product.

We perform chromatographic separation and quantitative monitoring of nine primary cannabinoids, including THC, THCA, CBN, CBD, CBDA, delta-8 THC,THCV, CBG, CBC.

Pesticides

We test cannabis for pesticide actives that is intended to be finished cannabis products for sale or export. For processors, we test batches, or lots to meet Health Canada’s requirements before consumer use, and prior to further processing steps such as extraction or formulation. We test for the 96 pesticides active ingredients listed with Health Canada to ensure products are below the set limits of quantification (LoQ).

Mycotoxins

Cultivation conditions, transportation, storage, and processing of cannabis plants create an ideal environment for the growth of molds and fungi. If allowed to proliferate, they can begin to produce chemical mycotoxins which have been known to cause liver, kidney, and reproductive damage as well immune suppression.

Mycotoxin testing includes:

• Aflatoxin: B1, B2, G1 and G2
• Ochratoxin a

Heavy Metals

Our laboratory analyzes samples to quantify for heavy metals levels for the big four: mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium.

As a bio-remediator, cannabis will absorb heavy metals from the soil, water and fertilizer into various parts of the plant including the flowers where terpenes and cannabinoid acids are produced. Even though concentrations are at comparatively trace levels (in parts per billion or parts per trillion), they can still pose a hazard to cause harm to consumers so robust testing is required for detection and quantification.

Microbial Testing

Microbial testing in cannabis is a standard practice and a Health Canada requirement. cannabis grown in controlled environments with managed humidity and ventilation controls, and good growing practices (GPP) is generally less susceptible but can also become subject to microorganism contamination during processing, storage or during distribution stages.

We test for certain pathogenic microorganisms which typically are harmful even at low levels as they produce toxins that can cause a variety of symptoms to consumers. These include:

• Total yeast and mold count
• Total aerobic count
• Bile-tolerant Gram-negative E. Coli
• aureus
• Salmonella spp.
• aeruginosa

Water Activity

Measure of moisture content and water activity depending on type of product. Testing for water activity is considered a critical control point for prevention of microbial contamination. High water activity can affect stability by supporting mold growth during storage and transport of harvested buds and extracts.

We measure the percentage of moisture content per weight analysis to determine water activity.

Residual Solvents

Solvents are used to extract out cannabis concentrates like cannabinoids and terpenes. They include, alcohol, water (ethanol), hydrocarbon (hexane), propane, butane, among others. In some cases, impurities, or residual solvents remain in the final cannabis product so analyzing their concentration is a vital element of cannabis testing. In some cases, impurities, or residual solvents remain in the final cannabis product and analyzing their concentration is a vital element of cannabis testing.

We quantify residual solvents across Class 1,2 and 3 using headspace gas chromatography, the preferred method that allows only the volatile component of the cannabis sample to be measured.

Nutrition Facts Label Testing

General nutritional facts panel testing, especially for edibles, includes nutrient testing fat, carbohydrates, sugars, fibre, protein, calories, sodium, cholesterol, potassium, and calcium. Since quality can degrade over time due to conditions such as temperature, lighting, air and humidity, shelf life and stability testing determines how environmental conditions may affect product potency, contamination, colour, odour, and moisture.

We conduct  the following tests:

• Hemp Testing (THC and CBD Quantification)
• Water Content
• Density
• Oxidative Stability Testing (Peroxide Value, Anisidine Value, Totox Value)
• Disintegration
• Rupture
• Weight Variation
• Allergen Testing (Gluten)

As the Cannabis and Hemp industry grows, more and more brand owners are looking to evaluate the shelf life of their products. The stability of your formulations has an important role in ensuring that you deliver clean, consistent products to your customers. It is evident that based on literature studies potency loss and degradation of the major cannabinoid markers such as THC and CBD occur when stored improperly or beyond the recommended shelf life. The stability and quality of cannabis and hemp and associated products can be affected over time due to various factors such as temperature, humidity, lighting, interaction between active ingredients and excipients. The impact of various environmental factors may affect the overall quality and safety of the cannabis and hemp in terms of potency, microbial contamination, and organoleptic characteristics. If you intend to put an expiry date on the packaging container, your obligation is to substantiate that with appropriate shelf-life testing data.

Stability Studies for:

• Dried Cannabis
• Extracts and Concentrates
• Edibles and Beverages
• Hemp

Conditions and Time Points:

CAL has dedicated stability chambers both walk-in as well as standalone stability chambers for various temperature and humidity conditions.

CAL conducts the following real-time and accelerated shelf-life and stability testing based on ICH Guidelines.

• Long Term Ambient Storage Condition: 25°C ± 2°C/60% RH ± 5% RH
• Intermediate Storage Condition: 30°C ± 2°C/65% RH ± 5% RH
• Accelerated Storage Condition: 40°C ± 2°C/75% RH ± 5% RH

Testing Parameters

The following testing parameters are generally included in the stability programs.

Qualitative:

• Colour
• Odour
• Appearance
• pH Level

Quantitative:

• Cannabinoids Profile
• Terpene Profile
• Loss on Drying
• Heavy Metals
• Moisture
• Potency
• Microbiology
  • Total Yeast and Mold
  • Total Aerobic Plate Count
  • Bile Tolerant Gram Neg Bacteria
  • Salmonella
  • E. coli
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Staphylococcus aureus

We support Canadian licensed producers who are in the process of, or planning to export cannabis products, with testing to help meet regulatory requirements of destination countries.

Generally, import and export of cannabis products between countries is tightly controlled and subject to international drug conventions. For Canadian exporters, approval must be granted by Health Canada before shipment can occur. In addition to Health Canada approval and an export license, Canadian Licensed Producers require a Certificate of Analysis to demonstrate product quality by way of testing for THC content, composition, adulterants, potency, toxins, and pesticides levels.

Exporting Cannabis to European Union

Canadian Analytical Laboratories provides a full suite of testing services to support Canadian Cannabis license holders with an EU/GMP Certification meet European Pharmacopoeia (EP) quality requirements for export. Testing is conducted under strict GMP testing protocols.

Products tested:

• Dried Flower
• Cannabis Oil (with carrier oils such as MCT, Coconut, Olive)
• Fresh Cannabis (where required)

Additional support services include: 

• Stability Testing – Ongoing mandatory Real Time and Accelerated Stability Program
• Method Development and Validation Support

Download the Fact Sheet for more information and breakdown of testing services.

Exporting Cannabis to Israel

For Canadian growers seeking to export medicinal cannabis flower to Israel, we offer analytical testing methods for more than 150 pesticide residues specifically for the Israeli market as mandated by the Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency (IMCA). These are in addition to Health Canada’s mandatory testing of 96 pesticide residues and the EP pesticide residues in cannabis dried flowers and cannabis-related products. Please contact us regarding your specific requirements.

Exporting Cannabis to Australia

Canadian Exporters will need to ensure that their products meet quality standards set by the Australian government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) standards.  Canadian Analytical laboratories is licensed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). To meet this standard of licensing, our facility is subject to regular, stringent audits by TGA for full compliance with the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).