Methods for cannabinoid quantification

Abstract

A method for quantification of the concentration of one or more cannabinoid compounds in a liquid sample is provided. The method involves contacting the liquid sample with at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent, allowing the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent to develop for a defined amount of time; and comparing the resulting color change of the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent to a calibrated quantification reference chart.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for quantification of the concentration of one or more cannabinoid compounds in a liquid sample, the method comprising: a) contacting the liquid sample with at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent; b) allowing the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent to develop for a defined amount of time; and c) comparing the resulting color change of the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent to a calibrated quantification reference chart. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent is present in a liquid form. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent is present in a solid form. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the liquid sample is contacted separately with the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent is impregnated in a test strip. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the test strip comprises a porous matrix uniformly impregnated with the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of any one of  claims 1 - 6 , wherein the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent reacts with THC, CBD, or CBN. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cannabinoid is THC. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cannabinoid is CBD. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent is one or more diazonium salts, a Duquenois reagent, a Ghamrawy reagent, or a modified Ghamrawy reagent. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more diazonium salts are: Fast Blue B, Fast Blue BB, Fast Red B, Fast Red GG, Fast Orange GR, Fast Corinth V, Fast Garnet GC, Fast Red AV, or Fast Bordeaux GP. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent is a strong base. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the strong base is potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 - 13 , wherein the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent is impregnated in a test strip. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the test strip comprises a porous matrix uniformly impregnated with the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent. 
     
     
         16 . A method for quantification of one or more cannabinoid compounds in a solid test sample, the method comprising: 1) contacting the solid test sample with an extraction solvent, wherein one or more cannabinoids are extracted from the solid sample into an extraction solvent resulting in a cannabinoid-containing liquid extraction solution; 2) contacting the cannabinoid-containing liquid extraction solution with one or more cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagents; and 3) comparing the intensity of the resulting color change of the one or more cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagents to a calibrated quantification reference chart. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising a test strip impregnated with at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent is one or more diazonium salts, a Duquenois reagent, a Ghamrawy reagent, a modified Ghamrawy reagent, and potassium hydroxide. 
     
     
         19 . A kit for quantification of the concentration of one or more cannabinoid compounds in a sample, the kit comprising: 1) at least one cannabinoid sensitive visualization reagent; and 2) a calibrated quantification reference chart. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claims 19  wherein the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent is present in a liquid form or a solid form. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 19  or  20 , wherein the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent is pre-measured as a dry reagent in one or more reaction containers. 
     
     
         22 . The kit of any one of  claims 19 - 21 , wherein the at least one cannabinoid-sensitive visualization reagent is impregnated into a test strip.