Services

TESTING SERVICES

Comprehensive Hemp Testing

Potency

Plant-based products are used in medicine, requiring precision for effective and safe treatment. Precise labeling leads to customer trust and loyalty, and patients medicating with hemp need accurate hemp concentration information levels in order to effectively treat their illnesses and safely consume recreational products.

GreenTechSolutionGroup uses High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) that goes beyond testing normal potency levels by providing detailed hemp profiling across fourteen other components including CBD, CBL, THC isomers, and CBN. All potency tests are validated by the company's hemp certification program, which surpasses the standards set by AOAC, WHO, and state requirements, ensuring the highest quality and reliability.

Category: Flowers/Plants, Derivative Products (concentrates, Infused Products, and Edibles

Terpenes

Terpenes, the aromatic and flavorful compounds found in the flowers, herbs, and spices, contribute to distinct scents and tastes. These isoprenoid molecules also serve as vital medicinal precursors for various phytochemicals, including THCA, impacting the overall THC homeopathic response.

At GTSG we employ gas chromatography (GC) to detect and measure unique terpene analytes. This empowers consumers with the knowledge to differentiate and select products that align with their preferred tastes and aromas, enhancing their overall experience.

Category: Flowers/Plants, Derivative Products, Infused Products, and Edibles

Pesticides

Inherent hazards accompany the use of pesticides, designed to combat microorganisms and plant pests. However, the drawback lies in the possibility of residue transfer onto end products. Pesticides used in plant cultivation can pose health risks, especially with long-term exposure. Toxic at higher concentration and harmful even at lower levels, chronic exposure to pesticide residue poses substantial dangers. These encompass insecticides, fungicides, plant growth regulators, and other compounds.

At GTSG, we prioritize safety. Employing liquid chromatography with mas spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we meticulously quantify 67 distinct analytes. Through our rigorous protocols, we identify trace amounts of pesticides, ensuring utmost vigilance in maintaining user well-being. Your health is our commitment.

Category: Flowers/Plants, Derivative Products, Infused Products, and Edibles

Heavy Metals

The assessment of heavy metal contamination holds vital significance across flowers, water, food, and solvent-based products. Stringent thresholds per gram of product are established by numerous states for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury due to their human toxicity.

At GTSG, we address heavy metal concerns with precision. We utilize Inductively Coupled Plasma spectrometry with mass spectrometric detection (ICP-MS) to conduct thorough testing. Our method excels in the detection of metals at extremely low concentration in the parts per billion range. Through this approach, we ensure the safety of your products for consumption. Your well-being in paramount.

Category: Derivative Products, Infused Products, and Edibles

Residual Solvents

The process of creating concentrated oils and waxes involves using solvents like acetone, ethanol, and butane to extract essential compounds from plants, emphasizing the need for safe and precise extraction techniques. However, the presence of these solvents in the end products poses potential health hazards when inhaled or ingested, necessitating their thorough removal.

At GTSG, we prioritize your safety. Employing Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry detection and headspace auto sampling, we quantitatively assess harmful solvents, impurities, or adulterants. Our method excels in detecting these substances at sub parts-per-million (PPM) levels, ensuring your products meet rigorous safety standards. Your well-being is our greatest concern.

Category: Derivative Products, Infused Products, and Edibles

Microbials

Microorganisms and bacteria are ubiquitous in our world. Contaminants that grow in similar conditions can cause serious illness if consumed, highlighting the need for careful monitoring in plant production.

GTSG's testing process uses qPCR and confirmatory plating to test for bacteria and fungi.

This is accomplished by extracting community DNA samples and running the purified DNA against known DNA sequences (primers) to identify specific bacterial and fungal species.

GTSG also uses plating to screen for levels of total yeasts and molds, total coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, total aerobic bacteria, and bile-tolerant gram-negative (BTGN) (including Enterobacteriaceae)

Category: Flowers/Plants, Derivative Products, Infused Products, and Edibles

Mycotoxins

Warm and humid conditions ideal for plant growth can also encourage mold and fungi, which are often invisible yet pose significant risks. These microorganism can produce mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins and ochratoxins, which are highly toxic to humans. It's crucial to note that even if the molds and fungi are eradicated, the lingering mycotoxins can persist and pose risk.

At GTSG, your safety is paramount. We employ liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for comprehensive quantification of four aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. This meticulous approach ensures the detection and measurement of these mycotoxins, safeguarding the well-being of consumers. Your health is our commitment.

Category: Flowers/Plants, Derivative Products, Infused Products, and Edibles

Lipids

Vitamin E acetate, vegetable glycerol, propylene glycol, and other lipids have the potential to disrupt the natural function of lung surfactants, leading to lipid accumulation in the lungs and, in severe cases, lipid pneumonia. Notably, in 2019, the CDC reported 2,506 hospitalization and 54 deaths likely linked to Vitamin E Acetate in e-cigarettes and vaping products, contributing to vaping-associated lung injury.

At GTSG, we prioritize your well-being. Our comprehensive approach combines liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection and gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection to identify these lipids. Our techniques are adept at detecting various other adulterants and viscosity-modifying agents, ensuring the safety of the products you consume. Your health is our utmost concern.

Category: Vape Oils, Derivative Products

Nutrient Content

Macro-nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are crucial mineral elements required by plants in substantial quantities for robust growth. In tandem, micronutrients including silicon, calcium, and molybdenum play an equally vital role, albeit at lower concentrations. Deviations in macro and micronutrient levels can lead to suboptimal harvest yields, hindering competitiveness. In severe cases, inadequate nutrient content may even results in low THC potency crops.

At GTSG, we're dedicated to enhancing your cultivation outcomes. Using Inductively Coupled Plasma technology, we accurately assess the levels of macro and micronutrients in plant tissues. By providing the insight, we empower cultivators to effectively monitor their crop's health, ensuring better results for future harvests. Your success is our priority.

Category: Flowers/Plants, soil, water, nutrient mixes.

Environmental

Crop contamination can lead to devastating crop failures and significant economic losses.

At GTSG, we're committed to assisting growers in mitigating contamination risks through a comprehensive range of tests. our tests include specialized sequences designed to identify a broad spectrum of organisms known to be potential environmental contaminants or pathogens when screened against purified DNA.

Once contaminants and nutritional deficiencies are pinpointed, we facilitate the implementation of protocols to eliminate contaminants and introduce essential chemical elements crucial for plan nutrition, growth, and survival. Your harvest's safety and success are out utmost concern.

Category: Flowers/Plants

Shelf Life and Stability Testing

Environmental factors like temperature, lighting, air, and humidity can impact the quality and integrity of hemp products over time. Grasping the stability of a material or product is an essential facet of both development and management.

At GTSG, our cutting-edge testing facility conducts WHO-compliant stability and shelf-life studies, accompanied by relevant analytical testing to assess the effects of various storage conditions.

Our testing methods encompass an array of techniques including titration, pH analysis, HPLC, GCMS, LCMS, qPCR, microbial analyses, and ICPMS. This diverse toolkit provides comprehensive analytics and data concerning a range of aspects such as material degradation, stability of pharmaceutical active ingredients, assessment of consumer product ingredients, shelf life estimation, evaluation of packaging integrity, and scrutiny of raw material and chemical stability. Our commitment lies in ensuring your products maintain quality over time.

Category: Flowers/Plants, Derivative Products, Infused Products, and Edibles

Procedures & Methods

At GreenTechSolutionGroup, our commitment to excellence is upheld through rigorous procedures and methods that meet the highest industry standards. Our dedication to precision and reliability ensures that our research and testing adhere to the guidelines and requirements set forth by various reputable organizations, including:

• United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• International Standards Organization (ISO)
• Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
• United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Food Safety and Inspection Services
• Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC)
• Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA)
• Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
• Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
• Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS)
• Department of Energy (DOE)

With each analysis, study, and experiment, we uphold these stringent protocols to deliver accurate and dependable results. Our dedication to quality reflects our commitment to advancing plant science, aiming to harness the potential of hemp for societal and environmental benefits.