Quantitative Analysis of Residual Pesticides in Hemp Oil Extract by Direct Liquid Injection Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

The number of cannabis containing products, such as extracts, tinctures, edibles, waxes and oils, available in the United States have increased significantly due to changes in state law and the 2018 Farm Bill. Cannabis concentrates are legally manufactured for both medicinal and recreational use and are quickly becoming the most commonly used products by consumers in comparison to the cannabis sativa flower. The concentrates containing cannabinoids and terpenes are typically extracted from plant material using a variety of solvents. The pesticides, antifungals and performance enhancement reagents that may have been applied to cannabis to increase crop yields may be present in the extracted material and are a concern for consumer safety. There is a need for a highly sensitive and selective analytical methodology to determine the amount of pesticides present in these concentrates to ensure safety and quality for consumers and reduce the risk of human exposure. This study describes the use of the GERSTEL MPS robotic with automated liquid option for the analysis of pesticide residues in hemp oil samples by direct liquid injection gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). This technique is sensitive, accurate and precise and allows the quantitation of pesticides of interest well below the established limits of quantifi cation for the State of California.