Residual Solvent Testing

Chemical solvents (ex: butane, ethanol, pentane, etc.) are often used during extraction and manufacturing processes of infused products and concentrates. Constant inhalation or consumption of these solvents can have carcinogenic and toxic effects to the human body.

Our comprehensive residual solvent test panel detects up to 16 analytes (all ISO approved) and is an ideal solution for quality assurance. Spectra Analytical utilizes a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to quantify the residual solvents listed below:

  • Acetone
  • Acetonitrile
  • Benzene
  • Butanes
  • Carbon-Tetrachloride
  • Chloroform
  • 1,2-Dichloroethane
  • 1,1-Dichloroethane
  • Ethanol
  • Ethyl-Acetate
  • Ethyl-Ether
  • Isopropanol
  • Methanol
  • Methylene Chloride
  • n-Heptane
  • n-Hexane
  • n-Pentane
  • Toluene
  • 1,1,1-Trichloro-Ethane
  • Trichloroethylene
  • Xylenes

Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are elements classified by their high density, as well as their biological and chemical behavior. Exposure to large amounts of these metals can lead to harmful toxic effects, such as cancer, organ failure, and even death. Due to common use and prevalence in the environment, certain heavy metals – cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury – have a higher potential for causing harm.

The cannabis plant has a high affinity and may accumulate these heavy metals through its growing process. Metals can be introduced to the plant through many different avenues, including air, water, and soil.

At Spectra Analytical Lab we utilize atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) to test for the following Heavy Metals:

  • (Cd) Cadmium – 4 ppm
  • (Pb) Lead – 6 ppm
  • (As) Arsenic – 10 ppm
  • (Hg) Mercury – 2 ppm 

Pesticide Testing

Pesticides used in agriculture can be potentially dangerous and pose great health risks. The cannabis and hemp cultivation industries are no different. Exposure to pesticide residues at high levels can be toxic to patients and consumers.

We utilize liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to detect and quantify the following 56 pesticides specified by the HDOH.  The acceptable limit for each pesticide is less than 1.0 ppm (parts per million).

  • Abamectin B1a
  • Acephate
  • Acequinocyl
  • Acetamipird
  • Aldicarb
  • Azoystrobin
  • Bifenazate
  • Bifenthrin
  • Boscalid
  • Carbaryl
  • Carbofuran
  • Chloranthraniliprole
  • Chlorfenapyr
  • Chlorpyrifos
  • Clofentezine
  • Cyfluthrin
  • Cypermethrin
  • Dichlorvos
  • Diazinon
  • Domethoate
  • Ethoprophos
  • Etofenprox
  • Etoxazole
  • Fenpyroximate
  • Fipronil
  • Flonicamid
  • Fludioxonil
  • Hexythiazox
  • Imazalil
  • Imidacloprid
  • Kresoxim-Methyl
  • Malathion
  • Metalaxyl
  • Methiocard
  • Methomyl
  • Methyl Parathion
  • MGK-264
  • Myclobutanil
  • Naled
  • Oxamyl
  • Paclobutrazol
  • Permethrins
  • Phosmet
  • Piperonyl Butoxide
  • Prallethrin
  • Propiconanole
  • Propoxur
  • Pyrethrins
  • Pyridaben
  • Spinosad
  • Spiromesifen
  • Spirotetramat
  • Tebuxonazole
  • Thiacloprid
  • Thiamethoxam
  • Trifloxystrobin

Flower Moisture Content

Residual water in cannabis flower can often lead to microbial growth, the higher the moisture content, the more susceptible it is to microbial growth. Testing for moisture content will ultimately convey the shelf-life and safety of a given flower sample. An ideal moisture content of cured cannabis is between 8%-13%.

At Spectra Analytical, we utilize a moisture analyzer to calculate the moisture content.


Foreign Matter Inspection

Hair, mold, insects, sand, dirt, plastic, and even fecal matter can make their way into products during cultivation, manufacturing, or packaging. This can affect the quality and reputation of products. To ensure proper handling and sanitation during the manufacturing process, we test for foreign matter inspection using a dissecting microscope and fluorescent microscope illuminator.