Hemp Potency Method: Eurofins Developed Method Awarded AOAC Method of the Year 2021
Update 9/1/2021 - AOAC International has awarded the Eurofins developed method, AOAC 2018.11 – Quantitation of Cannabinoids in Cannabis Dried Plant Materials, Concentrates, and Oils Using Liquid Chromatography–Diode Array Detection Technique with Optional Mass Spectrometric Detection: Single-Laboratory Validation Study, First Action 2018.11, its Method of the Year for 2021.
To request this test method for your hemp and CBD products
Madison, WI - 04/30/2020 – AOAC International announced the approval of Official Method 2018.11 for detecting and measuring cannabinoids in hemp on April 23, 2020.
The new validation and approval will allow laboratories to evaluate hemp for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on a dry-weight basis, as described by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Interim Final Rule governing the production of hemp under the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act, known as the Farm Bill. Plant materials containing no more than 0.3% THC are defined federally as hemp and can be processed to supply the expanding market for CBD consumer products.
The method was developed by Eurofins (Madison, WI) in collaboration with the University of Chemistry and Technology (Prague, Czech Republic) led by Dr. Katerina Mastovska, Chief Scientific Officer at Eurofins. Official Method of Analysis 2018.11 is a liquid chromatography–diode array detection (LC-DAD) technique with optional mass spectrometric detection of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) individually, so their concentrations can be reported either individually or as total THC. Official Method of Analysis 2018.11 is applicable to concentrates, oils, and all plant materials of Cannabis species, including hemp.
Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL are microbiological and chemical analysis procedures that have undergone rigorous formal validation by AOAC INTERNATIONAL. After a two-year tracking period, “First Action” methods are reviewed for approval as “Final Action” methods, which are published in the Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, a globally recognized standards resource for analytical scientists.
The validation of this method allows those in the hemp industry to test their products with confidence. Dr. Marielle Weintraub, President of the U.S. Hemp Authority had the following to say about the recent method approval:
“It is an honor to be a part of the AOAC CASP Expert Review Panel for Cannabinoids, as this panel is tasked with reviewing and approving cannabinoid methods that can be globally recognized and validated for the hemp industry.
"A globally recognized method for detecting the potency of hemp was not available to laboratories until now, even though testing for cannabinoid potency is foundational in state and federal hemp production regulations, including the USDA's Interim Final Rule.
"The method submitted by Eurofins allows laboratories and law enforcement to confidently implement a reliable and valid method that determines if hemp is federally compliant by determining the THC level, which is not allowed to be greater than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. The implications of an invalid or unreliable method could be devastating to hemp farmers and processors alike. Eurofins’ recently approved method ensures reliable and valid testing, which is paramount to this industry.”
About Eurofins:
Eurofins provides integrated solutions that span the entire food, feed, and supplement product life cycles. From concept to commercialization, Eurofins delivers integrated testing, consulting, and development services including potency, nutritional, contaminant analysis, food safety testing, consulting, and training. Our global network is composed of diverse teams of leading food, feed, and supplement scientists who provide a broad range of resources, experience, and expertise that enable our customers to bring innovative, sustainable, safe products to market, faster.
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