A new era has arrived… affordable home cannabis testing with the Alpha-CAT Cannabinoid Analysis Test.
A minimal amount of material (0.1 gram) is needed per sample to provide a unique and effective way of analyzing the cannabinoid profile.
This kit allows you to test cannnabis flower, trichome resins, oils, tinctures and edibles products (ice-creams, cookies, teas…).
How it works:
Alpha-CAT is a Cannabinoid Analysis Tool which combines the simple analytical technique of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with specific thin-layers and developing fluid.
Thanks to this new protocol the main active ingredients of the cannabis plant parts can be visualized due to a highly specific coloring reaction which represent the cannabinoids present in the sample of cannabis or cannabis product. Alpha-CAT‘s method enables the detection and identification of six of the main cannabinoids present in cannabis:
Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabinol (CBN), Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabichromene (CBC)
Each TLC plate allows for testing 4 lanes. A full analysis uses all 4 lanes for 1 strain. To get a chemotype print of your strain, 1 line is sufficient: 4 strains can therefore be analysed on 1 TLC plate.
MINI kit Alpha-CAT contents:
- 1 alpha-CAT manual guide
- 1 THC and 1 CBD calibration chart, standards that allow accurate % quantification
- 2 Test plates ( enough for 2 full analyses, or 8 single tests )
- 2 Dye powder microtubes (0,06 gr), for storage in cool, dry, dark conditions
- 1 Bottles of alpha-CAT test fluids (10 ml)
- 8 Eppendorf tubes (1,5 ml)
- 1 Developing jar
- 1 Dipping tray
- 1 Pipettes (3 ml)
- 1 Syringe (1 ml)
- 1 Vial with 10 capillary tubes (1 ul)
- 4 Nitrile gloves
- 1 Beaker (25 ml)
- 1 capillary pipette bulb
Alpha-CAT Refill Pack contents:
VERY IMPORTANT: The Refill pack cannot be used without first having purchased a MINI Kit to complete your tests (Pipette, developing jar, dipping tray, beaker, bulb and cannabinoid calibration charts are not included in the refill pack).
- 1 A4 English manual
- 5 Test plates ( enough for 5 full analyses, or 20 single tests )
- 30ml Alpha-CAT test fluids flask
- 5 Dye powder microtubes (0,3 gr)
- 24 Eppendorf tubes (1,5 ml)
- 24 1μl capillary tubes
- 10 Nitrile gloves
- Pipettes (3 ml)
- Syringe (1 ml)
THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE SUPPLIED BY THE USER:
Samples of cannabis or cannabis products (e.g. cookies, ice, cake, etc.)
A well ventilated working area (a fume hood connected to a filtering system is recommended)
Digital weighing scale
ALPHA-CAT TESTING PROTOCOL:
The alpha-CAT system solves the issues involved with simultaneously separating cannabinoids in a simple, cost-effective way, providing a chemical profile for each sample. The alpha-CAT method separates some of the neutral and acidic cannabinoids which are rendered distinct from each other with bright colored spots.
The chemotype profile shows the number of cannabinoids and their relative concentrations. The higher the concentration the bigger and more intensely coloured the spot is. alpha-CAT gives the opportunity to determine the cannabinoids present in each material sample and reveals the levels of each individual cannabinoid present in terms of its concentration.
The alpha-CAT method enables anyone, regardless of scientific background, to define the active cannabinoid profile in a wide range of medicinal materials (flowers, resins, concentrates, cosmetics, tinctures, edibles and most other cannabinoid containing products).
READ PROTOCOL MANUAL
HOW TO ANALYSE THE RESULTS:
After colouring the TLC plate by dipping it in a dye solution colored spots will appear immediately. The number of different spots depends entirely on the plant used (genetics) and the environmental parameters during cultivation. The bigger the spot is, the higher is the concentration.
The combination of different spots is called the chemotype of this particular plant (strain). Samples derived from it, such as the dried flowers, edibles, oils and hashish will differ somewhat in composition and won’t show the same cannabinoid profile (or print).
Each colored spot on the plate represents a cannabinoid.
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Alpha-CAT kits are fully compliant with the guidelines of the World Health Organisation concerning safety and quality of medical plant materials (WHO/PHARM/92.559).
Methods meet the guidelines and recommendations of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Codex Alimentarius.
All of our kits comply fully with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) guidelines.
Alpha-CAT’s kits contains bottles of chlorinated hydrocarbons, labelled as hazardous and the following precautions should be observed at all times:
Handle with care
Protect your skin, always wear gloves
Avoid contamination of the TLC-plates
Not to be inhaled