Necessity of Loss on Drying Testing for Cannabis Flower

LOD is an analytical technique used to determine the moisture content in a sample. This test is particularly valuable and standard for Herbs like Cannabis that contain active ingredients such as THC. Here’s how LOD testing works and why the test helps to maximize your potency number:

Accurate Potency Assessment
Water content directly impacts the potency measurement of cannabis flower. Moisture in cannabis flower dilutes the total concentration of cannabinoids, including the coveted delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Fresh flower contains more moisture than dry flower, and the water content in flower changes as it dries. That is why cannabinoid testing is expressed as a mass percentage to dry flower. Cannabinoid Profiling becomes more accurate as the water content decreases in the Cannabis flower. The same Total amount of non-volatile cannabinoids will be in your flower regardless of how dry the flower is. In order to standardize this fluctuation of Moisture levels found in both recreational and medical cannabis, a Loss on Drying test is recommended.

Correction Factor for Cannabinoid Concentration
LOD testing ensures accurate potency assessments by quantifying the moisture content, allowing for the calculation of a correction factor. By conducting LOD tests, the true dry mass of the flower can be obtained. Using the correct dry mass results in significantly increased concentrations of cannabinoids in the mass percentage calculation. The total amount of cannabinoid is fixed in the flower but the total mass of the flower can change as it dries. By utilizing the LOD test, that water content can be removed to obtain the true mass percentage of cannabinoids to dry flower. This allows consumers to compare the percent THC (and terpenes) across different strains, brands, and drying methods fairly.

Improved Terpene Preservation
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds responsible for the unique flavors and aromas of different cannabis strains. Terpenes are also volatile, meaning these compounds can escape from the flower and are lost over time. Inevitably, as the flowers dry, small amounts of the terpenes are lost alongside moisture. The longer you dry cannabis flower, the lower the moisture content, and this increases your raw measured potency number. However, the longer you dry cannabis flower, the more terpenes can be lost, and this negatively impacts your terpene profile. In order to best preserve your terpenes long-term in cannabis flower, curing to a moisture content of 8-12% is recommended. By employing the LOD test, the mass contribution of water from your cannabis flower can be removed. This accomplishes both delivering accurate potency numbers and an accurate terpene profile.

Consistency and Standardization
LOD testing aids in standardizing product quality. By verifying that the flower has been dried to optimal levels, producers can create products with consistent quality, flavor, and aroma. This consistency is essential for building brand trust and customer loyalty.