Food Safety: Multi-Element Analysis of Cannabis Using the Agilent 7800 ICP-MS

Countries and U.S. states that permit use of medicinal and recreational marijuana require rigorous testing of cannabis and associated products to ensure safety from inorganic contaminants, including toxic elements such as As, Cd, Pb, and Hg. The analysis of mineral and additional trace elements provides labeling information that is required when these products are used as nutritional supplements. 

As contamination can occur during the manufacturing process, analysis is necessary at all stages of production. Following acidic digestion to break down the primary components of the plant-based samples, ICP-MS and ICP-OES instruments are often used for multi-element analysis because of its high sensitivity, robustness, and wide dynamic range. In this study, the 7800 ICP-MS and the 5110 ICP-OES was used to analyze 25 elements in a range of cannabis and cannabis-related products.

Presenter: Jenny Nelson, PhD (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)

Jenny Nelson received her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Cincinnati in 2007, and her MBA from Saint Mary’s College of California in 2011. Currently, Jenny is an Application Chemist for the Life Science and Chemical Analysis team at Agilent Technologies, joining in 2012 (with a step away in 2019). Jenny is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at University of California, Davis since 2013. Jenny has been very active with AOAC and ASTM over the past 8 years, serving on expert review panels, chairing committees, and volunteering to develop new methods needed by the industry.