Cannabis/Hemp
Bio-Chem Consulting Services Ltd. is a leading Cannabis and Hemp testing laboratory that is validated for the testing of flower, oil, infused/vape products, edibles, beverages, extracts, and concentrates.
We provide licensed comprehensive hemp testing for cannabinoid potency, terpenes, microbial contamination, heavy metals, aflatoxin, ochratoxin, residual solvents, and pesticides. All of our methods have been validated and we utilize a variety of different instrumentation techniques.
The cannabis license holder must select the appropriate testing package for the specific product matrix and the intended use. Typically, the Ph. Eur. testing regulations are for products intended for inhalation (smoking, vaping).
The cannabis sample is dried if required, homogenized and extracted with methanol, prepared for instrument analysis by validated HPLC/UV-VIS. Results are reported and either corrected for moisture content or not; if applicable. Analyses are conducted based on client requirements with the number of cannabinoids being analyzed ranging from 4 to 11.
- Cannabidiol (CBD)
- Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA)
- Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA)
- Cannabidivarin (CBDV)
- Cannbigerolic Acid (CBGA)
- Cannabigerol (CBG)
- Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
- Cannabinol (CBN)
- Δ-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-8-THC)
- Cannabichromene (CBC)
The aliquot of cannabis is homogenized, and the methanol extract is analyzed by a validated GC/MS procedure. Depending on client requirements, up to 52 terpenes can be analyzed for.
- alpha-Pinene
- Camphene
- Sabinene
- beta-Myrcene
- beta-Pinene
- alpha-Phellandrene
- 3-Carene
- alpha-Terpinene
- m-Isopropyltoluene
- d-Limonene
- p-Isopropyltoluene (p-Cymene)
- Ocimene
- 1,8-Cineole (Eucalyptol)
- o-Isopropyltoluene
- gamma-Terpinene
- Terpinolene
- Sabinene Hydrate
- Linalool
- Fenchone
- alpha-Thujone
- Fenchyl alcohol
- Isopulegol
- Camphor
- Isoborneol
- Terpinen-4-ol
- Menthol
- Borneol (2 isomers)
- Octyl acetate
- alpha-Terpineol
- Safranal
- Citronellol
- Verbenone
- Pulegone
- Geraniol
- Carvone
- Piperitone
- Citral
- Isobornyl acetate
- Thymol
- Carvacrol
- Geranyl acetate
- alpha-Cedrene
- beta-Caryophyllene
- trans-beta-Farnesene
- alpha-Humulene
- Valencene
- Nerolidol
- Guaiol
- Cedrol
- alpha-Bisabolol
- Phytane (2,6,10,14-Tetramethylhexadecane)
- Nootkatone
Using a variety of validated methods (Traditional Plating, Petrifilm, qPCR) Bio-Chem Consulting can analyze for bacterial, mold, and specified pathogen contamination within any Cannabis sample. Ensuring that it is safe to enjoy for the consumer. Bio-Chem Consulting is validated for both USP and EP methods for all aspects of microbiological testing. Bio-Chem Consulting is also the only lab in Western Canada capable of identifying any bacterial or fungal contamination to the genus or species level.
The cannabis/hemp material is tested for microbial limits to determine acceptability with compendial procedures, either USP or EP. The Health Canada required testing includes Total Aerobic Microbial Count, Total Combined Mold and Yeast Count, Bile-Tolerant Gram Negative Bacteria (or Enterobacteriaceae) Count or Absence, and Absence of Specified Pathogens: Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. If requested, rapid testing methods are available to provide full testing results within 3 days.
The cannabis license holder must select the appropriate testing package for the specific product matrix and the intended use. Typically, the Ph. Eur. testing regulations are for products intended for inhalation (smoking, vaping).
Standard USP Microbial Package
| USP <2021/2022> | Dried Cannabis Limits | Cannabis Extract Limits |
| Total Aerobic Count | <100,000 CFU/g | <10,000 CFU/mL |
| Total Yeast and Mold | <1,000 CFU/g | <1,000 CFU/mL |
| BTGN Bacteria | <1,000 CFU/g | N/A |
| Salmonella spp. | Absence in 10g | Absence in 10mL |
| Escherichia coli | Absence in 10g | Absence in 10mL |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Absence in 10g | Absence in 10mL |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Absence in 10g | Absence in 10mL |
Standard EP Microbial Package
| EP 5.1.8 C | Cannabis Limits |
| Total Aerobic Count | <100,000 CFU/g or mL |
| Total Yeast and Mold | <10,000 CFU/g or mL |
| BTGN Bacteria | <10,000 CFU/g or mL |
| Salmonella spp. | Absence in 25g or mL |
| Escherichia coli | Absence in 1g or mL |
The appropriately prepared and homogenized sample of cannabis product is digested with nitric acid in a closed vessel microwave digestor to ensure the to be examined material is completely dissolved. Following digestion and dilution as required, the sample is analyzed by ICP/MS.
Produced by certain species of fungus. These mycotoxins are extremely hazardous to human health. Being known to suppress the immune system, as well as being highly carcinogenic. Bio-Chem Consulting uses a validated HPLC/MS/MS method to analyze for trace amounts of these toxins and can quantify below the Health Canada regulatory limits.
- Pentane
- Methyl acetate
- 1-Propanol
- Methyl ethyl ketone
- Isopropyl acetate
- 1-Butanol
- 1-Pentanol
- Ethanol
- Acetone
- 2-Propanol
- Ethyl acetate
- 2-Methyl-1-propanol
- Butane (sum of n- and iso-)
- Propane
- Propyl acetate
- Isobutyl acetate
- Ethyl ether
- Ethyl formate
- Tert-butyl-methyl-ether
- 2-Butanol
- Heptane
- 3-Methyl-1-butanol
- Butyl acetate
- Dimethyl sulfoxide
- Anisole
- Acetic acid
- Formic acid
- Triethylamine
Bio-Chem Consulting will analyze for foreign matter within the sample, while also giving a straightforward physical description of your sample for ease of cataloging. This test will check for the evidence of spoilage and pests in the sample, ensuring its quality.
Performed by gravimetric analysis, based on timed duplicate analysis and dried at 60o C (vacuum controlled) to constant weight.
The cannabis aliquat is extracted with acetonitrile if required and after appropriate dilution is analyzed by validated HPLC/MS/MS and GC/MS/MS.
- Abamectin
- Acephate
- Acequinocyl
- Acetamiprid
- Aldicarb
- Allethrin
- Azadirachtin
- Azoxystrobin
- Benzovindiflupyr
- Bifenazate
- Bifenthrin
- Boscalid
- Buprofezin
- Carbaryl
- Carbofuran
- Chlorantraniliprole
- Chlorphenapyr
- Chlorpyrifos
- Clofentezine
- Clothianidin
- Coumaphos
- Cyantraniliprole
- Cyfluthrin
- Cypermethrin
- Cyprodinil
- Daminozide
- Deltamethrin
- Diazinon
- Dichlorvos
- Dimethoate
- Dimethomorph
- Dinotefuran
- Dodemorph
- Endosulfan sulfate
- Endosulfan-alpha
- Endosulfan-beta
- Ethoprophos
- Etofenprox
- Etoxazol
- Etridiazole
- Fenoxycarb
- Fenpyroximate
- Fensulfothion
- Fenthion
- Fenvalerate
- Fipronil
- Flonicamid
- Fludioxonil
- Fluopyram
- Hexythiazox
- Imazalil
- Imidacloprid
- Iprodione
- Kinoprene
- Kresoxim-methyl
- Malathion
- Metalaxyl
- Methiocarb
- Methomyl
- Methoprene
- Mevinphos
- MGK-264
- Myclobutanil
- Naled
- Novaluron
- Oxamyl
- Paclobutrazol
- Parathion-methyl
- Permethrin
- Phenothrin
- Phosmet
- Piperonyl butoxide
- Pirimicarb
- Prallethrin
- Propiconazole
- Propoxur
- Pyraclostrobin
- Pyrethrins
- Pyridaben
- Quintozene
- Resmethrin
- Spinetoram
- Spinosad
- Spirodiclofen
- Spiromesifen
- Spirotetramat
- Spiroxamine
- Tebuconazole
- Tebufenozide
- Teflubenzuron
- Tetrachlorvinphos
- Tetramethrin
- Thiacloprid
- Thiamethoxam
- Thiophanate-methyl
- Trifloxystrobin
