This high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) is the first-ever instrument designed specifically for quantitative determination of cannabinoid content. Ready for use after one day of installation and testing, it provides a choice of three different HPLC methods and a dedicated user interface for a simplified workflow.

1. Cannabis Analyzer for Potency Provides
Effortless Determination of Cannabinoid Content
GrowYourLab.com

2. Topics
1. Interest in Cannabis
2. A brief overview of Cannabis chemistry and potency testing
3. A Turn-Key Potency Solution – The Cannabis Analyzer for Potency
4. What the Cannabis Analyzer solution consists of
5. Goal-oriented Method packages
6. Quantitative accuracy and analytical results
7. Sample preparation example
8. Customer workflow
9. Re-ordering consumables
Shimadzu does not support or promote the use of its products or services in connection with illegal use, cultivation or trade of
cannabis products. Shimadzu products are intended to be used for research use only or state approved medical research.
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments is not condoning the use of recreational nor medical marijuana.

3. Interest in Cannabis
 Many US states have now legalized cannabis for
either medical or “adult use” (recreational) or
both. Medical cannabis programs exist in over
half of the US states, and full recreational
markets now exist in four states.
 Myriad health benefits have been reported for
cannabis, including; general pain reduction,
anti-nausea, reduction of seizures, and various
aspects of autism.
 By 2020, legal cannabis product market sales
are expected to surpass $22 billion, with adult
use sales comprising about 53% of the total
legal market.

4. A Brief Overview of Cannabis Testing
 Cannabis contains more than 500 unique compounds,
including over 80 chemical alkaloids known as
cannabinoids.
 QC testing for cannabinoids is essential for the accurate
labeling of cannabis products in both medical and
recreational cannabis markets. Cannabis “potency” is
normally reserved for the quantitation of the major
cannabinoids, principally THCA, THC, CBD, and CBN.
 HPLC has emerged as the gold standard for potency
determinations because separation and detection of the
cannabinoids is done without causing any decomposition
of the naturally abundant THCA. This acid form undergoes
decarboxylation to THC under the influence of heat and
light.

5. Naturally Occurring Cannabinoids
...of primary interest for potency determination

6. A Turn-Key Potency Solution
Choice of 3 Proven HPLC Methods
Three proprietary instrument methods to meet your analytical objectives.
No need to spend valuable lab time developing methods – just run
samples.
Turnkey HPLC Analyzer
The package is designed for potency determination through quantitation
of the active constituents. It includes all required hardware, software,
consumables, and analysis workflow so the analyst is running samples in
the shortest possible time.
A complete turnkey HPLC analyzer for quantitative
determination of cannabinoid content
3 Years Warranty and Preventive Maintenance
Never worry about whether your potency analyzer will be fully functional
and running samples.
App Notes
Reports
Method Package
Column, Guard
Columns
Certified
Standards
Mobile
Phase

7. A Turn-Key Potency Solution
A complete turnkey HPLC analyzer for quantitative
determination of cannabinoid content
Target Compound List
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
d8-Tetrahydrocannabinoid (d8-THC)
d9-Tetrahydrocannabinoid (d9-THC)
d9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)
Cannabidivarin (CBDV)
Cannabinol (CBN)
Cannabigerol (CBG)
Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA)
Cannabichromene (CBC)
App Notes
Reports
Method Package
Column, Guard
Columns
Certified
Standards
Mobile
Phase

8. A Turn-Key Potency Solution
High Resolution HPLC Method Package
High Sensitivity HPLC Method Package
High Throughput HPLC Method Package
3 Year Value Plan
Designed for analysis of the 10 most commonly requested
cannabinoids in under 8 minutes. This is the original method
developed by Shimadzu in collaboration with industry laboratories.
(Does not include THCV.)
Adds THCV to the target analyte list, with an instrument cycle time
of under 10 minutes. The short analysis time produces the sharpest
chromatographic peaks for the best overall sensitivity.
Presents full baseline resolution for all 11 compounds and an
analysis time under 30 minutes. This method is preferred for
research purposes, or when additional compounds must be added
to the analysis in response to new state regulatory requirements.
Provides 3 consecutive and continuous years of full warranty
coverage following installation, and scheduled Premium Preventive
Maintenance visits.
All three analytical method files are included with the Cannabis Analyzer for Potency Base Package.
The three Method Packages include all consumables required to run the method: the analytical
column, package of 5 guard columns, guard column holders, the CRM standard and mobile phase.
App Notes
Reports
Method Package
Column, Guard
Columns
Certified
Standards
Mobile
Phase

9. A Turn-Key Potency Solution
Quality Statement
 Mobile phase solvents are pre-mixed (method
specific) and UHPLC grade
 CRM standard mixtures are certified for
quantitative accuracy
 Methods are exhaustively tested for:
- Ruggedness
- Repeatability
- Quantitative Accuracy

10. Goal-Oriented Methods
High Throughput Method
• When high sample throughput is paramount –
60 samples per 8 hr. day
• Quantitative for 10 cannabinoids (no THCV)
3.0 4.0 5.0 min
0
25
50
75
mV
CBDV
CBDA
CBGA
CBG
CBD
CBN
d9-THC
d8-THC
CBC
THCA
10 mg/L standard mixture
App Notes
Reports
Method Package
Column, Guard
Columns
Certified
Standards
Mobile
Phase

11. Goal-Oriented Methods
2.5 5.0 min
0
10
20
30
40
50
mV
CBDV
CBDA
CBGA
CBG
CBD
THCV
CBN
d9-THC
d8-THC
CBC
THCA
High Sensitivity Method
• When THCV is important, yet with good sample
throughput – 48 samples per 8 hr. day
• Quantitative for 11 cannabinoids (incl. THCV)
10 mg/L standard mixture
App Notes
Reports
Method Package
Column, Guard
Columns
Certified
Standards
Mobile
Phase

12. Goal-Oriented Methods
10.0 15.0 20.0 min
0
25
50
75
mV
CBDV
THCV
CBD
CBG
CBDA
CBGA
CBN
d9-THC
d8-THC
CBC
THCA-A
High Resolution Method
• For baseline separation of 11+ components,
including THCV. Minimum Resolution = 2.0
• 16 samples per 8 hr. day
• Add cannabinoid targets as regulations change.
10 mg/L standard mixture
App Notes
Reports
Method Package
Column, Guard
Columns
Certified
Standards
Mobile
Phase

13. Standard Curves (High Sensitivity Method)
R2 > 0.999 for all targets
Quantitative Accuracy
Level (ppm) Accuracy % (Bias) Range
Low 2 109.7 – 111.1 ± 1.4
Med 20 101.2 – 103.4 ± 2.2
High 70 99.2 – 100.2 ± 1.0App Notes
Reports
Method Package
Column, Guard
Columns
Certified
Standards
Mobile
Phase

14. High Sensitivity Method
Limits of Detection and Quantitation
App Notes
Reports
Method Package
Column, Guard
Columns
Certified
Standards
Mobile
Phase
Target LOQ (mg/L) LOD (mg/L)
CBDV 0.43 0.14
CBDA 0.55 0.18
CBGA 0.53 0.18
CBG 0.59 0.20
CBD 0.59 0.20
THCV 0.62 0.20
CBN 0.37 0.12
d9-THC 0.52 0.17
d8-THC 0.64 0.21
CBC 0.60 0.20
All values correspond to Dry WT % of less than 0.1%

15. Analytical Results
Quantitative Example:
DRY WT% = [Target] x (Dilution) x (Extraction Vol./Dry wt mg) x 100
THCA WT% = 3.8% = [18.9 mg/L] x(20/1) x (0.02 L/200 mg) x 100
d9-THC WT% = 2.0% = [10.2 mg/L] x(20/1) x (0.02 L/200 mg) x 100
@ 10 mg/L
App Notes
Reports
Method Package
Column, Guard
Columns
Certified
Standards
Mobile
Phase

16. Sample Preparation Guidance
• Weigh 200 mg of flower or leaf cuttings into 50 mL centrifuge
tube.
• Add two 9.5 mm steel balls into the tube.
• Shake at 1000 rpm for 1 min. with the 2010 Geno/Grinder.
• Add 20 mL of methanol to the tube.
• Shake at 1000 rpm for 1 min.
• Wait for 15 min.
• Mix using a vortex mixer for 1 min.
• Transfer 1 mL of the mixture into a 1.5 mL micro-tube and
centrifuge at 3000 rpm for 5 min.
• Transfer 100 μL of supernatant to a new 1.5 mL micro-tube.
• Add 900 μL of methanol.
• Filter the mixture through a 0.45 μm syringe filter and transfer
to a 1.5 mL sample vial.
Extracts from flowers, leaves, stems

17. User Workflow
1. Setting samples in the Analysis Screen
Standards set up
automatically
according to the
method
Sample Name
Sample ID
Dry Wt Amt.
Extraction Vol.
Dil. Factor
Unknowns to be
analyzed

18. User Workflow
2. Visual Monitor of runs progressing with the Analysis Screen

19. User Workflow
3. Quick access to quantitative reports
Double-click on completed run to show report

20. Re-ordering Consumables

21. Re-ordering Consumables

22. Need More Info?
Thank you for viewing this presentation. Should you have any
questions or require additional information about our research,
products, or services, please visit our Web site at:
www.GrowYourLab.com
Follow us on Twitter @shimadzussi