Dedicated and Factory Verified Cannabinoid Potency Testing Using the Agilent 1220 Infinity II LC System

Significance of Topic

Accurate and rapid determination of cannabinoid content is essential for quality control, regulatory compliance, and consumer safety in the cannabis industry. A robust analytical method enables laboratories to certify product potency, detect impurities, and support consistent dosing.

Objectives and Overview

This study presents a streamlined LC method using the Agilent 1220 Infinity II system for quantifying 11 major cannabinoids in cannabis flower and related products. Key goals included:

• Total run time under 10 minutes
• Baseline chromatographic separation of required and desired cannabinoids
• Limits of quantitation ≤ 0.5 ng on column
• Inter- and intra-day precision under 5% RSD
• Cross-instrument reproducibility
• Calculation of total THC and total CBD
• One-day onsite method implementation and training

Methodology and Sample Preparation

The protocol combines minimal sample handling with a simple methanol extraction:

• Homogenize 200 mg of dried flower in methanol (20 mL), shake for 10 min
• Centrifuge 1 mL aliquot at 5,000 rpm, dilute supernatant 1:20 in methanol
• Filter through 0.45 μm regenerated cellulose syringe filter

QuEChERS was avoided to prevent decarboxylation and matrix-induced degradation.

Instrumentation

Hardware and software components:

• Agilent 1220 Infinity II LC with gradient pump (≤ 400 bar), degasser, autosampler, column oven, VWD (230 nm)
• Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column (3.0×50 mm, 2.7 μm)
• Mobile phases: 0.1% formic acid in water (A), 0.05% formic acid in methanol (B)
• OpenLab CDS 2.2 data acquisition and processing

Gradient: 60→77% B (0–6 min), 77→95% B (6–7.2 min); flow 0.75 mL/min; 50 °C; injection 5 μL; total runtime 9.2 min plus 2.5 min post-run.

Main Results and Discussion

The method achieved baseline resolution for critical cannabinoid pairs with USP resolution >1.2. Calibration curves (0.5–50 µg/mL) exhibited R² ≥ 0.9999 for all analytes. Instrument detection limits ranged from 0.07 to 0.14 ng on column. Inter- and intra-day precision across two instruments remained below 5% RSD. Accuracy averaged between 92% and 109% over multiple concentration levels. Cross-instrument reproducibility demonstrated method robustness.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The validated protocol offers:

• High throughput analysis with sub-10-minute runs
• Minimal sample manipulation, reducing potential artefacts
• Regulatory compliance support through precise potency data
• Onsite training and turnkey implementation for QC labs
• Customizable reporting for total THC and CBD calculations

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advancements may include coupling with mass spectrometry for enhanced selectivity, automation of sample preparation, expansion to minor cannabinoids and terpenes, integration of AI-driven data analysis, and portable platforms for on-site testing.

Conclusion

The Agilent 1220 Infinity II LC method delivers a rapid, precise, and reproducible solution for comprehensive cannabinoid potency testing, meeting stringent industry requirements and enabling reliable quality control.