Solvent Testing Beyond Extraction: Other Factors To Consider
Solvent testing in cannabis is generally discussed as solely a topic for extracted products. However, the extraction process is not the only source of solvent contamination in cannabis flower and manufactured products. As a result, solvent testing is important at every stage of the supply chain for all types of cannabis products. This guide will explain where solvent contamination may occur outside of the extraction process and how third-party testing laboratories identify solvents in cannabis products.
In this blog, you will learn:
What solvent testing is and why it is important for cannabis products
Ways solvent contamination occurs outside of the extraction process
Common solvents found in cannabis and their “solvent class”
How cannabis analysis labs test for residual solvents in cannabis products
What is residual solvent?
Solvents are organic volatile chemicals used in extraction processes to remove phytocannabinoids and terpenes from plant material. The resulting extract is used to create concentrates or for use in cannabis products. As part of the extraction process, extracts are subject to “purges” using temperature and pressure to boil off any remaining solvent. Occasionally, trace amounts of solvents remain, called residual solvents.
What other ways can residual solvent make its way into a cannabis product?
While extraction processes with improper purging techniques are the main source of residual solvents in cannabis extracts, it is not the only way solvents can make their way into products. Moreover, solvent contamination is not confined only to extracts; cannabis flower could be just as susceptible to some less common sources of solvent contamination. Two other main areas of concern are plastic packaging and improperly cleaned accessories.
Plastic packaging
Solvents are used to make plastic packaging. If not properly made, plastic packaging may retain high levels of solvents that could alter the aroma and flavor of the cannabis products that are wrapped within it. Packaged products may have passed required testing, but if redundant solvent testing is not performed at every stage of the supply chain, this type of solvent contamination may slip through the cracks and seep into product long after initial testing stages.
Improperly cleaned accessories
Isopropanol, sometimes referred to as isopropyl alcohol, is commonly used when cleaning cannabis accessories, such as grinders and pipes. Isopropanol is considered effective at cleaning these accessories because of its effectiveness as a solvent – it easily removes sticky residue that can clog accessories and inhibit their smooth functionality. If not thoroughly rinsed following cleaning with isopropanol, some of the solvent may remain on these devices and contaminate the cannabis products used with them afterward.
Which solvents and residual solvents are found in cannabis products?
Cannabis analysis laboratories check for solvents used in extraction like butane, ethanol, propane, hexane, and isopropanol, as well as residual solvents that could be left behind, like benzene, chloroform, and pentane, to name a few.
Each of these solvents and residual solvents fall into one of three classes, which ranks them based on their possible risk to consumer health. Most states, including New Jersey, have laws setting limits on the amount of solvents and residual solvents permitted in a cannabis product. If a sample exceeds the limit during testing, the batch of product must be destroyed.
Class 1 solvents: Class 1 solvents include carcinogens that are highly dangerous to human health and/or negatively impact the environment. This class includes solvents like benzene; 1,2 dichloroethane; 1,1 dichloroethene; and carbon tetrachloride. These solvents generally have the lowest limits set by state standards, as they can be highly toxic with significant risks. Class 1 solvents are not often used in the cannabis industry, but can be found as trace additives or impurities in other solvents, making it necessary to screen products for these dangerous chemicals.
Class 2 solvents: Class 2 solvents include potentially harmful solvents that, in high enough amounts, could lead to serious illness. This class includes solvents like butane, chloroform, and methanol; butane is commonly used in cannabis extraction.
Class 3 solvents: Class 3 solvents include solvents like ethanol, acetone, and isopropanol. Ingestion or inhalation of these solvents can have adverse effects on consumer health, though the limits are typically higher than the other classes of solvents tested.
Whether a severe risk to human health and well-being or just prompting minor irritation, excessive levels of solvents can trigger a product recall, or if not caught in time, may have a negative effect on human health. Companies that fail to abide by legal requirements around solvent testing may find themselves at the center of fines, legal ramifications, and flailing brand reputation.
As a result, it is important to engage in solvent testing with a trusted third-party cannabis analysis lab. That is not just for extracts, but for any product that may contain or become contaminated with residual solvents, from cannabis flower to cannabis infused products.
How do cannabis testing labs analyze residual solvents?
Cannabis analysis laboratories test for residual solvents using a process known as Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS).
GC/MS is performed by heating a sample to volatilize any present solvents, converting them into their gaseous phase. Once turned into a gas, the compounds are passed through a column along with an inert gas, where they are separated over a thin layer of viscous liquid particles. The compounds will separate based on their varying masses, hitting a mass spectrometer at different times and enabling analysts to identify and quantify any residual solvents. If those solvents exceed legal limits set by the state, the product in question must be destroyed before the batch can reach the dispensary and end consumer.
True Labs for Cannabis offers solvent testing to NJ producers
In New Jersey, where the adult-use cannabis market is coming online, manufacturers cannot afford to allow contaminated products to reach consumers. Even though testing must be performed by cultivators and extractors, there are other ways solvent contamination can occur.
That’s why it is critical to partner with a trusted cannabis analysis laboratory like True Labs for Cannabis, which serves Garden State cannabis businesses to ensure their products are high quality and safe for consumption. Whether residual solvents were introduced in the extraction process, packaging, or because of improper cleaning and storage procedures, a testing laboratory can catch them before it becomes an issue.