ASTM D8493-23
(Guide)Standard Guide for Sample Preparation of Cannabis and Hemp Inflorescence for Laboratory Analysis
Standard Guide for Sample Preparation of Cannabis and Hemp Inflorescence for Laboratory Analysis
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The sample preparation procedure for comminution impacts other downstream processes such as extraction and sonication, which ultimately affects the total analytical error (TAE) and measurement uncertainty.
5.2 Factors that may influence the sample preparation process include the prevention of cross-contamination (carryover) from a prior sample and an inadequate cleaning procedure between preparation of samples, poor sample handling, storage (sample preservation), and moisture content (drying methods) of plant material being greater than 15 % (15). Samples with high moisture content are hard to process completely and may yield lower analyte (that is, cannabinoid) concentration during extraction and further processing. Lastly, water activity Specification D8197 is recommended, activity (aw) range (0.55 to 0.65) for dry cannabis or hemp flower or both.
5.3 There are many different types of hardware technologies that address the comminution of dried cannabis or hemp; however, the list of devices is exhaustive and thus beyond the scope of this guide. See Table 3 and Table 4 (16-18) for a summary of different milling technologies. Distinctions among various pieces of equipment often relate to the type, mass, and size/shape of the sample (dry, fibrous) for which each is most effective. In addition, there may be economic reasons for mill selection, that is, the sample throughput of the testing laboratory (number of samples per day), access to cryogenics, and sample mass requirements.
5.4 In addition to sampling devices, this guide does not include the sample preparation of edibles, tinctures, oils/concentrates, beverages, and so forth in which the sample diversity poses significant sample preparation challenges to be put forward in additional work items.
5.5 The sample size for comminution purposes is limited as the analytical testing portion required is often 500 times smaller than the bulk sample lot and not every testing laboratory is equipped to handl...
SCOPE
1.1 In this guide, the basic steps in obtaining a test portion sample of either dried cannabis/hemp inflorescence are outlined.
1.2 Sample preparation depends on many factors including moisture (dryness) of the sample, the analyte to be measured, the concentrations/amounts, and the test method's precision and accuracy requirements. In this case, dried cannabis or hemp plant material require particle size reduction-comminution from a representative sample of which the final analytical testing portion is determined by the employed testing method. Local regulatory guidelines often dictate both the representative sample that is taken from the bulk material (harvest batch) and the final mass of the test portion (for example
1.3 This guide will not purport to meet every local and state jurisdiction since different regulatory requirements vary; the local/state requirements are at the discretion of the user to follow and interpret.
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D8493 − 23
Standard Guide for
Sample Preparation of Cannabis and Hemp Inflorescence
1
for Laboratory Analysis
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8493; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 In this guide, the basic steps in obtaining a test portion
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
sample of either dried cannabis/hemp inflorescence are out-
D8197 Specification for Maintaining Acceptable Water Ac-
lined.
tivity (a ) Range (0.55 to 0.65) for Dry Cannabis Flower
w
1.2 Sample preparation depends on many factors including
Intended for Human/Animal Use
moisture (dryness) of the sample, the analyte to be measured,
D8270 Terminology Relating to Cannabis
the concentrations/amounts, and the test method’s precision D8282 Practice for Laboratory Test Method Validation and
and accuracy requirements. In this case, dried cannabis or Method Development
D8334/D8334M Practice for Sampling of Cannabis/Hemp
hemp plant material require particle size reduction-
Post-Harvest Batches for Laboratory Analyses
comminution from a representative sample of which the final
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
analytical testing portion is determined by the employed testing
Sieves
method. Local regulatory guidelines often dictate both the
2.2 Other Standards:
representative sample that is taken from the bulk material
ASTA Analytical Methods, Preparation of Samples, Method
(harvest batch) and the final mass of the test portion (for
3
1
example <1 g) for chemical analyses.
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FDA Guide to Inspections Validation of Cleaning Processes
1.3 This guide will not purport to meet every local and state
3. Terminology
jurisdiction since different regulatory requirements vary; the
local/state requirements are at the discretion of the user to
3.1 Definitions:
follow and interpret.
3.2 General definitions are in accordance with Terminology
D8270 unless otherwise indicated.
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
3.3.1 analytical sample, n—prepared from the laboratory
this standard.
sample; the material from which the test portion is selected.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.3.2 ball mills, n—ball mills pulverize by impact using
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
hard balls inside an enclosed grinding jar, sample containers
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
such as falcon tube (centrifuge tubes-high-clarity
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
polypropylene), or a bowl with a secure lid.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.3.2.1 Discussion—Types of ball mills include drum ball
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
mills, jet mills, bead-mills, horizontal rotary ball mills, vibra-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
tion ball mills, planetary ball mills. Feed material: soft, hard,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
brittle, fibrous (dry or wet); material feed size: <8 mm to 10
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mm. Also referred to as an impact mill and rod, jar, or pebble
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D37 on the ASTM website.
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Cannabis and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D37.03 on Laboratory. Available from the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA), 1101 17th St.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2023. Published February 2023. DOI: NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036, www.astaspice.org.
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10.1520/D8493-23. Available from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, www.FDA.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D8493 − 23
mills. Use high-energy impact and frictional forces created by particle size reduction by cryogenic milling on a
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