Dedicated Cannabinoid Potency Testing in Cannabis or Hemp Products Using the Agilent 1220 Infinity II LC System

Significance of the topic

The growing cannabis and hemp industries demand reliable analytical methods to ensure consumer safety, regulatory compliance, and product consistency. Potency testing for major cannabinoids supports quality control in medical, recreational, and industrial applications and builds trust in emerging markets.

Objectives and study overview

This application note demonstrates a dedicated potency testing method for 11 common cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp products using the Agilent 1220 Infinity II LC system. The study evaluates method implementation, robustness, accuracy, precision, linearity, and reporting workflows for flower, oil, tincture, and concentrate matrices.

Methodology and instrumentation

The method employs reversed-phase liquid chromatography with UV detection at 230 nm. Key instrument details and consumables include:

• Agilent 1220 Infinity II LC Gradient System VL with degasser, autosampler, column oven, and variable wavelength detector
• Column: Agilent InfinityLab Poroshell 120 EC-C18, 3.0 × 50 mm, 2.7 µm, heated at 50 °C
• Mobile phase A: 0.1 % formic acid in water; B: 0.05 % formic acid in methanol; flow rate 1.0 mL/min
• Gradient: 60 % B initially, ramped to 77 % B at 7.0 min and 95 % B at 8.2 min, total run time 9.5 min plus 1.5 min post-run
• Injection volume: 5 µL; autosampler at ambient temperature

Sample preparation protocols vary by matrix:

• Flower/hemp material: 200 mg homogenized in methanol, vortexed, centrifuged, and diluted (up to 2 000-fold) with methanol
• Oils and concentrates: 100 µL sample diluted in ethanol to 10 mL, filtered, then 10-fold dilution to achieve 1 000-fold total dilution

Calibration involves five-point external curves (0.5 to 50 µg/mL) prepared from certified reference standards.

Key results and discussion

The method resolved all 11 cannabinoids, including THC, THCA-A, CBD, CBDA, CBG, CBGA, CBN, CBC, Δ8-THC, Δ9-THC, THCV, and CBDV, in under 10 min. Two independent LC systems showed:

• Accuracy within ±10 % across the calibration range
• Intraday precision below 1 % RSD and interday precision typically below 4 % RSD on System 1; System 2 interday RSD up to 7 %
• Linearity with R² values above 0.998 for all analytes

The robustness of the protocol supports consistent reporting of total THC and total CBD potency and detailed profiling of minor cannabinoids.

Benefits and practical applications

This approach offers laboratories a turnkey solution for rapid method implementation, routine potency testing, and regulatory compliance. Its short analysis time and minimal sample preparation streamline workflows in quality control, research, and contract testing environments.

Future trends and opportunities

Emerging needs include expansion of analytical scope to minor and novel cannabinoids, integration with mass spectrometry for confirmatory testing, and automation of sample handling. Developing standardized eMethods and harmonizing protocols will further facilitate cross-laboratory comparability and regulatory acceptance.

Conclusion

The Agilent 1220 Infinity II LC system delivers a fast, accurate, and robust method for quantifying key cannabinoids in diverse cannabis and hemp matrices. High throughput, strong performance metrics, and comprehensive support materials enable laboratories to meet stringent quality and compliance standards.

References

Agilent eMethod G5277#010, Cannabis Potency Test with the 1220VL LC/VWD System