Potency Testing
Measurement of cannabinoid concentrations for regulatory compliance and product labeling.
Learn MoreTerpene Analysis
Identification and quantification of terpene compounds for product characterization and labeling.
What It Is
Terpene Analysis
Terpene analysis provides a measurable record of the aromatic compounds that define a cannabis product's chemical identity. Cultivators use it to compare phenotypes, manufacturers use it to verify finished formulations, and operators use it to support consistent labeling across production runs. These volatile substances, formed in the same trichomes as cannabinoids, determine a strain's scent and flavor and vary considerably depending on genetics, growing conditions, and post-harvest handling. This panel gives cultivators, manufacturers, and dispensaries a precise, reproducible record of what those compounds are and at what concentrations they are present.
Where potency testing captures cannabinoid concentrations, this analysis captures the chemical character of the product. The two data sets together provide a complete picture of what a sample contains, and the aromatic profile is often the more reliable indicator of a cultivar's true identity across production cycles.
Analytes Tested
- Monoterpenoids: Linalool, Isopulegol, Geraniol
- Sesquiterpenes and Derivatives: β-Caryophyllene, α-Humulene, Nerolidol 1, Nerolidol 2, Caryophyllene Oxide, Guaiol, α-Bisabolol
- Monoterpenes: α-Pinene, Camphene, β-Pinene, β-Myrcene, δ-3-Carene, α-Terpinene, p-Cymene, δ-Limonene, Eucalyptol, Ocimene 1, Ocimene 2, γ-Terpinene, Terpinolene
How Terpene Analysis Works
The analysis is performed using Gas Chromatography (GC). A prepared sample is vaporized and passed through a capillary column where individual compounds separate based on their physical and chemical properties. Each is identified by its retention time against verified reference standards and quantified independently.
Trumo Analytics screens for 23 terpenes spanning the principal chemical families present in cannabis: monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and their oxidized derivatives. The result is a complete chemotype profile with concentration values for each compound that can be compared across production runs, phenotypes, and product types.
All testing is performed using validated analytical methods and quality control procedures in accordance with laboratory standards.
What This Data Means for Your Operation
For Cultivators
This data is one of the most reliable tools for differentiating cultivars. THC percentages shift from harvest to harvest in response to environmental variables; the aromatic profile tends to be a more stable indicator of a strain’s chemical identity. Cultivators use these results to compare phenotypes during selection, verify that a cultivar is expressing as expected across grow cycles, and build a reliable performance record over time.
Post-harvest handling directly affects how much aromatic content survives to the final product. Drying temperature, cure time, and storage conditions all play a role. This panel gives cultivators a measurable way to assess and improve their process rather than relying on sensory evaluation alone.
For Manufacturers
For concentrate and vape oil producers, this data serves a verification function. Extraction processes affect volatile compounds differently than cannabinoids, and some are partially or fully lost during refinement. Reintroducing terpenes into distillate after processing is common in the vape cartridge market, using cannabis-derived or botanical sources. Analysis of the finished product confirms whether the aromatic content reflects what was naturally preserved or what was added afterward, and at what concentrations. This is directly relevant to labeling accuracy and reproducible output across production runs.
For Compliance and Labeling
This panel is not currently state-mandated in Missouri. However, the results support accurate product labeling and position operators to meet evolving reporting requirements as the regulatory framework develops. Operators who have already built a profiling record for their product lines are better placed to demonstrate run-to-run reproducibility and respond to future obligations without disruption.
What Is Included
Each submission includes the following deliverables as part of the Certificate of Analysis:
- Quantification of 23 terpenes across all principal chemical families
- Chemical family classification for each identified compound
- Chemotype profile per submission for cultivar records
- Concentration values by individual compound
- Certificate of Analysis for the sample
- Historical comparison records to support run-to-run reproducibility
Products We Profile
This analysis is available for a range of cannabis product types. Each format has specific preparation requirements to ensure results accurately reflect what is present in the finished product.
- Flower: whole and ground cannabis flower, including single-strain and blended batches.
- Pre-Rolls: finished pre-roll products where aromatic retention through handling can be verified.
- Concentrates: wax, shatter, rosin, live resin, and other extracted forms where aromatic preservation through extraction is a key data point.
- Vape Products: cartridge oils and distillates where terpene reintroduction is common and concentration verification becomes especially important for labeling consistency.
Reporting and Turnaround
This panel is completed alongside other testing requests as part of standard sample processing. Results are typically delivered within 5 business days of sample intake. Expedited scheduling is available; contact the lab directly to discuss timing for time-sensitive submissions. All results are issued as part of the digital Certificate of Analysis for the sample.
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