THC and CBD in Cannabis-Infused Chocolate Edibles using Agilent Captiva EMR—Lipid Removal

Importance of the Topic

Testing cannabinoid potency in fat-rich edible matrices such as chocolate is critical for meeting regulatory requirements in jurisdictions permitting cannabis edibles. High lipid content and complex composition challenge accurate quantification of Δ9-THC and CBD, making effective sample cleanup essential for reliable analytic results and consistent consumer safety.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application brief describes a streamlined workflow for extraction and quantitation of THC and CBD in cannabis-infused milk chocolate. The goals are to minimize sample preparation time and cost per analysis, maximize lipid removal, and achieve precise LC/UV determination of target cannabinoids.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The procedure uses the following steps:

• Homogenization: 1 g of finely chopped chocolate mixed with ceramic beads in a polypropylene tube.
• Cold precipitation: Samples held at –20 °C for 20 minutes.
• Extraction: Addition of 10 mL cold acetonitrile with 2 % formic acid, followed by mechanical homogenization (1 500 rpm, 5 min) and centrifugation (3 600–5 000 rpm, 5 min).
• Cleanup: Supernatant diluted with water, then passed by gravity through a 3 mL Captiva EMR—Lipid cartridge to remove fats.
• Analysis: Final extract vortexed, transferred to vial, and analyzed by LC/UV.

Used Instrumentation:

• Agilent 1260 Infinity II LC system with UV detector
• 3 mL Captiva EMR—Lipid cartridges
• Ceramic homogenizers and mechanical homogenizer
• Centrifuge with temperature control
• Analytical balance

Main Results and Discussion

Comparative cleanup trials demonstrated that Captiva EMR—Lipid achieved superior baseline reduction and the highest THC signal intensity versus no cleanup, QuEChERS (with and without dispersive SPE), and winterization techniques. UV detection of THC peak area showed increased signal and reproducibility, indicating more thorough lipid removal without loss of cannabinoids.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The optimized method delivers:

• High sample throughput due to rapid, gravity-driven cleanup.
• Improved quantitation accuracy and precision for THC and CBD.
• Reduced LC maintenance from lower matrix buildup.
• Cost-effective per sample preparation.
• Practical implementation in QA/QC and potency testing laboratories.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging directions include:

• Integration of automated SPE platforms for further throughput gains.
• Coupling with LC-MS/MS for enhanced selectivity and lower detection limits.
• Application to other high-fat edibles like cookies and brownies.
• Adoption of greener solvents and miniaturized cleanup formats.
• Data analytics and AI-driven method optimization.

Conclusion

The described workflow combining cold acetonitrile extraction and Captiva EMR—Lipid cleanup offers a simple, robust, and cost-efficient approach for accurate THC and CBD analysis in chocolate edibles. By effectively removing lipids, the method enhances analytical performance and lab productivity, meeting modern regulatory and quality demands.

Reference

1. Deckers C.; Roy J.-F. Simple and Accurate Quantification of THC and CBD in Cannabis-Infused Chocolate Edibles using Agilent Captiva EMR—Lipid Removal and the Agilent 1260 Infinity II LC System; Agilent Technologies Application Note 5994-2873EN; 2020.