Afriplex is investing in a new multi-million rand laboratory, equipped with sophisticated analytical instrumentation, following current Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines. This will include the installation of a state-of-the-art liquid chromatography system with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
Afriplex announced the launch of its dedicated Cannabis Laboratory in March 2019, establishing the company as a leader in the South African field of cannabis analysis and processing.
Complex molecular profile
LC-MS/MS is an analytical technique that provides a fingerprint chromatographic peak of a sample. Tandem mass spectrometry removes compound interferences to reduce noise, thereby increasing analytical accuracy. Depending on the requirements of the analysis, the LC-MS/MS system will be coupled to two ionization methods, namely electrospray ionisation (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI).
Cannabis possesses a complex molecular profile, with over 80 different cannabinoids and more than 200 terpenes, making LC-ESI-MS/MS particularly valuable for the analysis of the cannabinoids. Additionally, the modification of certain cannabinoids into other forms during sample preparation and/or analysis, will not go unnoticed with the wide resolution of this system.
Conversely, coupling the APCI/MS adapter with LC-MS/MS can be used to identify and quantify the terpenes and terpenoids found in cannabis. Furthermore, this technique can also be used for pesticide analysis, which is necessary on both the plant material and the final product since both the plant actives and impurities are concentrated during the cannabis extraction process. This technique can help verify the quality and safety of samples throughout the cannabis production cycle.
Library packages
The LC-MS/MS system is also equipped with library packages which enables compound matching. This can be further expanded as new compounds are identified during research and development work.
“The inclusion of an LC-MS/MS system will allow us to generate world-class results that may enable the identification of unique genetic profiles with substantial commercial potential while also providing valuable insight in the development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API’s) and final formulated products,” Danie Nel, managing director of Afriplex says. He also noted that, “from a regulatory viewpoint, LC-MS/MS, in combination with the two ionisation methods, provides the most accurate, versatile and rapid mode for molecular analysis, placing Afriplex at the forefront of cannabis testing in South Africa”.
In May 2019, the Afriplex Cannabis Laboratory was nominated as the laboratory of choice by the Cannabis Research Institute (CRI) of South Africa. “The CRI is fortunate to enjoy the support from Afriplex and their world class facilities available for cannabis research. This new laboratory will bring value to the CRI members, collaborators and international partners, including the Technical University of Dortmund,” says Dr Leandi van der Westhuizen, senior researcher at the CRI, on this new development.
