Partner With Agilent for Start-To-Finish Cannabis and Hemp Testing

Significance of the topic

Cannabis and hemp testing is essential to ensure product safety, potency and compliance with regulatory standards. Accurate analytical methods support quality control in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and dietary supplements.

Objectives and overview of the article

This summary presents Agilent Technologies’ start-to-finish solution for cannabis and hemp analysis. Key focus areas include potency quantification, pesticide and mycotoxin screening, heavy metal determination, residual solvent analysis, terpene profiling and microbial detection.

Methodology

Agilent offers standardized workflows that integrate sample preparation, chromatography separation and data analysis. Main approaches include:

• Potency testing with HPLC for separation and quantification of THC and CBD isomers
• Pesticide screening via LC–MS/MS triple quadrupole systems for trace-level detection
• Heavy metal determination using ICP-MS with a single calibration for all elements and matrices
• Residual solvent analysis through GC–MS following state-specific methods
• Terpene profiling by GC–MS covering over 40 mono- and sesquiterpenes
• Microbial identification with qPCR assays available in single and multiplex formats

Used instrumentation

• Agilent 1200/1260 Infinity HPLC systems
• Agilent 6470/6460 Triple Quadrupole LC/MS
• Agilent 7800/7900 ICP-MS
• Agilent 7890 GC coupled with 5977/7010 GC/MS
• Agilent AriaMx real-time PCR system

Key results and discussion

Preconfigured methods allow over 100 potency analyses in 24 hours, 96 pesticide injections per day and up to 400 heavy metal samples daily. Unified MassHunter software streamlines data acquisition and reporting. Downloadable eMethods accelerate lab setup and reduce method development time.

Benefits and practical applications of the method

• Improved laboratory productivity and workflow efficiency
• Consistent regulatory compliance across jurisdictions
• Lower risk through validated, turnkey solutions
• Cost savings by consolidating instruments and software

Future trends and possibilities for use

Further automation, integration with laboratory information management systems and cloud-based reporting will support remote monitoring and data sharing. High-resolution mass spectrometry and expanded analyte panels—including new cannabinoids and pesticide metabolites—will enhance method sensitivity and scope.

Conclusion

Agilent’s comprehensive portfolio provides robust, scalable and compliant solutions for all stages of cannabis and hemp testing. From sample preparation kits to validated methods and advanced instrumentation, this end-to-end approach streamlines workflows and ensures reliable quality control.