Protocol for Quantitative Determination of Residual Solvents in Cannabis Concentrates Prepared by: Amanda Rigdon, May 23 rd, 2016 1.0 Method background: This method employs full evaporation technique headspace analysis (FET HS) combined with GC MS to determine levels of residual solvents in cannabis concentrates. This method has undergone a partial validation, including precision/accuracy, lower limit of detection (LLOD)/ lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), repeatability, limited stability, and matrix effects. Interday/batch and ruggedness/robustness validation was not performed. Although a partial validation was performed on this method, this partial validation shall in no way affect the need for in house validation when implementing this method. This method was validated for the following levels of the following residual solvents: Compound LLOQ ULOQ Propane 12.5 175 Isobutane 16.25 227.5 Butane 17.5 245 Methanol 25 500 Pentane 25 500 Ethanol 25 500 Acetone 25 500 Isopropanol 25 500 Hexane 25 500 Chloroform 0.5 250 Benzene 0.5 250 Heptane 25 500 Toluene 0.5 250 m/p xylene (sum of isomers) 0.5 250 o xylene 0.5 250 Differing ranges were chosen for different analytes based on the dynamic range of the MS analyzer as well as expected/acceptable levels of each solvent. Solvents with higher toxicological significance are quantified in a lower concentration range and vice versa. The USP Class 1 and 2 residual solvents included in this list have been validated for quantification at or below the PDE for these solvents (assuming a 2g/day dose) as listed in the current version of USP <467> (USP 38 NF 33). FID detection may be employed for residual solvents analysis, however this method has not been validated using FID detection.
Page 2 The FET approach was chosen for this method because it eliminates matrix effects present when using traditional (e.g. dilution approach) headspace methods. The theory behind FET HS is that a single, non partitioning gas phase system is established in the headspace vial through the use of very small sample sizes 1. The establishment of a non adsorptive system was verified using multiple headspace extraction (MHE) experiments during method validation, however additional MHE experiments must be performed to evaluate matrix effects if any from cannabis concentrate matrices. 2.0 Standard, Sample, and QC Preparation: This method employs a six point standard curve. Due to the differing validation ranges for different analytes, each analyte will be quantified against a five point standard curve (i.e. lowlevel analytes will exclude the high calibrator and high level analytes will exclude the low calibrator). Internal standard (IS) normalization is employed in order to improve quantitative accuracy. For this preliminary work, ethylbenzene was used as the internal standard, however due to the possible presence of ethylbenzene in samples containing xylenes, ethylbenzene will not be an acceptable IS for established laboratory methods. Chlorobenzene is preliminarily recommended as a suitable replacement internal standard. Batch accuracy is validated through duplicate matrix spikes at low, mid, and high levels. Due to the different validation ranges for the analytes being quantified, two QC levels will be included for each analyte: low level analytes will be evaluated against QC low (QCL) and QC mid (QCM), while high level analytes will be evaluated against QCM and QC high (QCH). All dilutions may be performed in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or dimethylacetamide (DMA) of sufficient purity to ensure no co eluting contaminant peaks. A blank of the dilution solvent is prepared for each batch to verify dilution solvent cleanliness. It is strongly recommended that DMA be used as a dilution solvent since it does not degrade when subjected to heat during sample incubation and remains liquid at refrigerator temperatures. Single and double blanks are prepared to evaluate carryover. Due to the high volatility of the gas standards, the calibration curve should be prepared just prior to injection on the instrument. Gases present in the samples are more stable than gases in dilution solvent, so stability of gases in samples is less of a concern. The order of operations for sample/standard/qc preparation should be as follows: Prepare internal standard solution Prepare samples Prepare blanks Prepare dilutions for calibration curve and QCs Prepare calibration curve Prepare QCs Analyze immediately
Page 3 2.1 Internal Standard Preparation*: The stock solution for the internal standard is ethylbenzene at 1840µg/mL in DMSO (Restek cat# 36296). Prior to preparing the internal standard, allow the stock standard to thaw at room temperature. Gentle (< 40 C) warming may be employed to thaw internal standard stock solution. Deliver 920µL of dilution solvent to an autosampler vial. Deliver 80µL of the stock solution to the autosampler vial, then cap and shake to mix. Expiration of the diluted internal standard (IS) will be set at 2 months. Concentration/commodity levels for IS are listed below: stock level Final conc Level in Compound Amt used (µl) Amt in vial (µg) (µg/ml) (µg/ml) commodity Ethylbenzene 1840 80 147.2 0.736 36.8 * It is highly recommended to use chlorobenzene or similar compound as the internal standard in place of ethylbenzene, due to the potential of ethylbenzene to be present in samples contaminated with xylenes. If chlorobenzene is used as internal standard, an 1840µg/ml solution may be prepared in dimethylacetamide and used in place of the ethylbenzene standard listed above. Chlorobenzene elutes between toluene and m/pxylene under the instrument conditions listed in this protocol. 2.2 Sample Preparation: Weigh 20mg of each sample into a headspace vial Add 5µL of internal standard solution and cap immediately Weigh out six additional 20mg aliquots from one sample, and cap loosely. These will be the QC samples. 2.3 Blank Preparation: Prepare three double blanks by capping empty headspace vials Prepare three single blanks by adding 5µL of internal standard solution to headspace vials and cap immediately. Prepare one dilution solvent blank by adding 15µL dilution solvent and 5µL of internal standard solution to a headspace vial and cap immediately. 2.4 Calibration Curve Preparation: Work with all stocks and dilutions cold. Use a cold block or other suitable method (e.g. frozen peas) to keep the temperature of all vials as low as possible. Do not place solutions comprised of DMSO in cooling apparatus, since this will cause the contents to freeze. The instructions below assume the use of one mixed gas standard with each gas at 1000ppm and one mixed solvent standard with each component at 1000ppm in dimethylacetamide.
Page 4 Stock solutions: It is highly recommended to use a separate gas stock standard containing gases (e.g. propane butane) only, since the gases are highly unstable. To ensure quantitative accuracy, gas stock solutions should be considered single use only. Immediately after opening stock ampules, transfer contents to empty autosampler vials using a Pasteur pipet and cap. Do not mix stock standards. Dilution 1: Add 800µL of dilution solvent (preferably DMA) to an autosampler vial. Add 100 µl of each stock solution. Cap and shake to mix. Dilution 2: Add 950µL of dilution solvent (preferably DMA) to an autosampler vial. Add 50µL of Dilution 1. Cap and shake to mix. Diluton 3: Add 800µL of dilution solvent to an autosampler vial. Add 200µL of Dilution 2. Concentrations of stock and dilutions are listed below. Stock: 1000µg/mL Dilution 1: 100µg/mL Dilution 2: 5µg/mL Dilution 3: 1µg/mL After all dilutions have been prepared, prepare the calibration curve as shown in the table below, adding 5µL of internal standard to each vial. Note that only one aliquot is required from the dilutions, but separate aliquots from the gas and solvents stock solutions are required for the 250 and 500ppm levels. Level (ppm in commodity) µg in vial Solution Used µl reqd 0.5 0.01 Dilution 3 10 2.5 0.05 Dilution 2 10 25 0.5 Dilution 1 5 50 1 Dilution 1 10 250 5 Stocks 5 500 10 Stocks 10 2.5 QC Sample Preparation: Prepare duplicate low, mid, and high QC samples using the stocks and dilutions used for the calibration curve as shown in the table below, preferably using second source standards. Also add 5µL of internal standard to each QC sample and cap immediately after delivering the solutions: Level (ppm in commodity) µg in vial Solution Used µl reqd LQC 2 0.04 Dilution 2 8 MQC 35 0.7 Dilution 1 7 HQC 200 4 Stocks 4
Page 5 3.0 Instrumental Analysis For the validation work for this method, analysis was carried out using a GC MS instrument coupled to a loop style headspace autosampler. If an FID instrument is used, all parameters may be kept the same, and the FID should be operated at 310 C. 3.1 Instrument Conditions GC Conditions: Column: Rxi 624Sil MS 30m x 0.25mm x 1.4µm (cat# 13868) Carrier: He @ 80cm/sec (4.95mL/min, 33.3 psi @ 35 C), constant linear velocity Inlet: Shimadzu HS 20 transfer line/valve, 10:1 split Oven Program: 35 C (hold 1.5 min) to 300 C @ 30 C/min (hold 10 min) Headspace Conditions: Oven temp: 140 C Sample line temp: 160 C Transfer line temp: 160 C Shaking: off Multi injection count: 1 Pressurizing Gas Pressure: 25.0psi Equilibrating Time: 30.00 min Pressurizing time: 2.00 min Pressure Equilib Time: 0.10 min Load Time: 0.20 min Load Equilib Time: 0.10 min Injection Time: 1.00 min Needle Flush Time: 2.00 min GC Cycle Time: 32.00 min MS Parameters: Source Temp: 280 C Interface Temp: 310 C Solvent Cut Time: 0 min Micro scan width: 0µ Detector voltage (relative to tuning result): 0kV Threshold: 0 Scan program: 0.00 5.30 min, 20 150 m/z, event time= 0.20 sec 3.2 Batch Setup The order of samples in the batch can be similar to this, although any order is acceptable.
Page 6 Sample Name Double blank Single blank Dilution solvent blank 0.5 ppm standard 2.5 ppm standard 25 ppm standard 50 ppm standard 250 ppm standard 500 ppm standard LQC1 MQC1 HQC 1 Single blank Samples Single blank Double blank LQC2 MQC2 HQC2 Double blank 4.0 Quantification All samples and QCs shall be quantified against the calibration curve that was run in the same batch. Analyte confirmation is performed using ion ratios with one target and one reference ion. For FID analyses, it is strongly recommended to perform confirmatory analyses on a separate column with orthogonal selectivity. Based on preliminary work not yet published, the 30m x 0.25mm x 1.00µm Rtx 1 (Restek cat# 10153) is recommended for confirmatory analyses. 5.0 System Suitability All system suitability parameters shall be met prior to reporting results. 5.1 System suitability criteria Linearity: r^2 values for all calibration curves are 0.97 Accuracy: Quantified values for all analytes in QC samples fall within 20% of nominal concentration. If the sample used for QC is shown to contain any solvents 10% of the LLOQ, these analytes will not be included in the pass/fail for QC sample accuracy. Precision: Quantified values for duplicate QCs vary by 20% Carryover: Single blanks do not contain any peaks that quantify 10% of the LLOQ
Page 7 Dilution solvent cleanliness: Dilution solvent does not contain any peaks that quantify 10% of the LLOQ All analyte ion ratios must fall within ±30 % of reference ratios from calibrators. Due to the lack of usable fragments for many analytes, only one qualifier ion was used during validation. 6.0 Report Samples Report only values that fall within the calibration curve. If an analyte quantifies above/below the calibration curve, it will be reported as either above (> ULOQ) or below (< LLOQ) the limit of quantification. If any other solvent is identified with a spectral similarity of > 90%, it may be reported qualitatively for informational purposes only. References: 1. Kolb, B; Ettre, L. Static Headspace Gas Chromatography: Theory and Practice, 2 nd ed.; John Wiley & Sons, Inc: Hoboken, NJ, 2006; p. 221 237. For demonstration only. All parameters are suggestions.