Standard Test Method for Analysis of Multiple Elements in Cannabis Matrices by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Importancia y uso:

5.1 Medical and/or recreational marijuana (cannabis) has been legalized for adult use in many countries and states within the USA (5). Many jurisdictions that permit the use of medicinal and recreational marijuana require testing of cannabis and associated products to ensure safety from contaminants, especially the toxic “big four” elements such as As, Cd, Hg, and Pb (6), and other metals worthy of consideration (6). These heavy metals can accumulate in plants grown in polluted soils or contamination can occur during the manufacturing process (7). In addition to ensuring product safety, the analysis of mineral and other trace elements is required for labeling purposes when these products are sold as nutritional supplements. Trace element analysis of plant and nutritional supplement materials is a well-established application (8). Following acidic digestion to break down the plant-based samples' primary components, ICP-MS is often used for quantitative analysis because of its multi-element capability, high sensitivity, speed, robustness, and wide dynamic range.

5.2 This test method covers the rapid determination of multiple elements in cannabis sample digests. The elements include the priority toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb), as well as elements required by some states and elements of interest in the cannabis community (V, Cr, Cu, Zn, Sb, Ba, Se, Ag, Na, Al, K, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, Tl, Th, and U). Irrespective of the number of elements being measured, test times are approximately a few minutes per test specimen, and detectability for most elements is in the low- to sub-ppb range.

Subcomité:

D37.03

Volúmen:

15.10

Número ICS:

11.120.99 (Other standards related to pharmaceutics), 65.020.20 (Plant growing)

Palabras clave:

aluminum; antimony; arsenic; barium; cadmium; cannabinoid; cannabis; chromium; cobalt; collision/reaction cell; copper; hemp; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; iron; lead; manganese; marijuana; mercury; molybdenum; nickel; potassium; selenium; silver; sodium; thallium; thorium; uranium; zinc;