Research, Testing, Analysis, and Education
Testing as required by the USDA
Identification of 11 major cannabinoids
Our lab is committed to ensuring that we use only the most sensitive and reliable tools and processes. We know each test has limitations.
Cannabinoid content is identified using the HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography), an instrument used to separate and identify individual cannabinoids in a sample. This is the most essential testing done for hemp and hemp-based products. APRC tests for 11 major cannabinoids: CBDV, CBDA, CBGA, CBG, CBD, THCV, CBN, Δ9-THC, Δ8-THC, CBC, and THCA-A.

The LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry) is used to test for pesticides in samples. The combination of liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry represents a powerful analytical tool for compound identification and quantification.

In most processes of Cannabis extraction, some percentage of solvents remain in the final product. GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) is used to detect and quantitate residual solvents, such as ethanol, benzene, or pentane.

Like other aromatic plants, Cannabis plants contain many terpenes that give the plants their unique aroma. The GC-MS is used to identify and quantitate common cannabis terpenes, such as alpha- and beta-pinene, myrcene, and beta-caryophyllene.

There are two approaches to microbial testing: Agar Plate testing and PCR Microarray. Agar plate testing is the traditional method of detecting microbial content by using the streak method.
PCR Microarray is an extremely specific test for identifying microbes in a sample using DNA replication technology that tags specific microbial species. The PCR Pathogen DX method utilizes fluorescent tagging to identify these species present in a sample.

Moisture and water activity are tests required by the state of Utah on Cannabis flowers. Moisture refers to how much is water in the sample, in the cells, or on the sample. It is measured by the percentage of weight on an Infrared Moisture Analyzer. Water Activity identifies how much water is available to microbial organisms. It is measured on a scale of 0-1. Microbial growth can occur after 0.65. This test is performed using the Chilled Mirror Dew-Point method.
