Terpenes are found in a wide variety of plants. They are responsible for the aroma and flavor of the plant. In cannabis they are also responsible for modulating the effect of cannabinoids on receptors within the body. Researchers have dubbed this the “Entourage Effect”. There is still much research that needs to be done to clearly identify the methods of synergistic interaction of these compounds, but for an introduction to this subject please visit this link to a paper in the British Journal of Pharmacology. Research studies have identified the effects of individual terpenes on human physiology.
Although testing for terpenes is not currently required by the Marijuana Control Board, CannTest, LLC will offer a test for concentrations of prominent cannabis terpenes listed below. The stand alone effect and where, other than cannabis, the substance is commonly found are also listed. CannTest, LLC will closely monitor research into the “Entourage Effect” to identify additional impacts on the human system so that consumers can maximize understanding of their purchases.
Terpene testing uses Gas Chromatography (GC) with Flame Ionization Detection (FID) and Headspace Injection. To conduct this test first a very small sample (50mg) is heated to 140 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes in a sealed environment (the Headspace). This creates a gaseous mixture of terpenes. The sample gas is fed into a Gas Chromatography (GC) column through the use of a carrier gas such as Helium. The GC column, due to the chemical properties of the column liner, reacts uniquely with each gas present in the mixture.
Each compound takes a specific amount of time to pass through the column. As the compounds exit the column they are detected by the GC and sent to a computer processing system. The program produces a graph or chromatogram of terpenes elicited from the column over a period of time. For the peaks of the chromatogram to have quantitative meaning a calibration must be done prior to testing. A terpene mixture of known concentration is procured from a company such as Restek, Inc. The sample is diluted to make mixtures of several different concentrations. Each concentration is tested as per the above description to create a calibration curve. The peaks of the sample can than be compared to the calibration curve to determine the actual concentration of each compound in the chromatogram.
Terpene testing uses Gas Chromatography (GC) with Flame Ionization Detection (FID) and Headspace Injection. To conduct this test first a very small sample (50mg) is heated to 140 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes in a sealed environment (the Headspace). This creates a gaseous mixture of terpenes. The sample gas is fed into a Gas Chromatography (GC) column through the use of a carrier gas such as Helium. The GC column, due to the chemical properties of the column liner, reacts uniquely with each gas present in the mixture.
Each compound takes a specific amount of time to pass through the column. As the compounds exit the column they are detected by the GC and sent to a computer processing system. The program produces a graph or chromatogram of terpenes elicited from the column over a period of time. For the peaks of the chromatogram to have quantitative meaning a calibration must be done prior to testing. A terpene mixture of known concentration is procured from a company such as Restek, Inc. The sample is diluted to make mixtures of several different concentrations. Each concentration is tested as per the above description to create a calibration curve. The peaks of the sample can than be compared to the calibration curve to determine the actual concentration of each compound in the chromatogram.
