Page 14 - Cannabis&Hemp Cannabis Testing Solution

Particle Size Testing

Cannabinoids such as TCH and CBD are lipophilic (fat-loving) while many foods, beverages, and cosmetic products
are lipophobic (fat-hating). As scientist know, “like dissolves like,” so the problem of incorporating cannabinoids
into a wide range of products is mixing oil (non-polar) and water (polar). With water-based lotions, creams, and
beverages oil is mixed in using an emulsifier. Emulsifiers are surface-active agents that act as a border between two
immiscible liquids, enabling them to blend together in an emulsion, creating a suspension of oil particles within
the water. Examples of emulsifiers are lecithin, xanthan gum, and Quillaja Saponario. Additional carrier oils, such
as coconut oil and triglycerides, may also be used to improve emulsion stability and absorption.

As a general rule, smaller particle size emulsions are more stable, have higher bioavailability, and can be
incorporated into a wide range of products. Nano-emulsions, which contain nanometer (nm) sized particles, are
the ideal product. The distribution of the particles should have a narrow, nanometer, monomodal distribution. Less
stable, multimodal distributions can occur from an insufficient emulsification process or during formulation or from
storage as aggregates form. Further, emulsions below 100nm are transparent and useful for clear liquid products.

Shimadzu’s SALD-2300 Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer is ideal for measuring particles from 17-nanometers
to 2500-microns. Aqueous emulsions can be analyzed with the SALD-MS23 flow cell accessory, while lotions
and creams can be analyzed with little sample preparation using the SALD-HC23 High Concentration sample
measurement accessory. Dry powder samples can also be analyzed using the SALD-DS5 Cyclone Injection
accessory. The SALD-2300 used in conjunction with Shimadzu’s Cannabis Analyzer (Page 4) is the ideal solution for
stability studies of particle size and cannabinoid concentrations, respectively.
q3(%)
30 30

Normalized Particle Amount (Diff) 20 20
25
25

15
15
10
10

0 5 5 0
0.01 0.05 0.1 0.5 1 5 10 50 100 500 1000 5000
Particle Diameter (µm)
Example of a narrow, nanometer, monomodal distribution of particles

Shimadzu’s SALD-2300 Laser
Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer

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