An Exploration of Solution-Based SERS with Gold Nanostars for Quality Control in the Cannabis Industry

Abstract

The recent legalization of cannabis and cannabis consumables in Canada presents a new analytical challenge for quality control of cannabis products. A high-performance analytical tool for such purposes would be crucial for the rapidly expanding Canadian and global cannabis markets. This project aims to explore the use of Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for it’s potential to be used as a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective detection platform for quality control in the cannabis industry. The availability of portable Raman spectrometers also makes these methods ideal for in-process analysis. Both cannabinoids and terpenes will need to be monitored, due to their synergistic effects on the medicinal properties of cannabis. Growing hemp plants and dried hemp and cannabis plants were analyzed using a handheld Raman spectrometer. Solution-based SERS using gold nanostars (AuNSs) was also employed for the detection of cannabinoids and terpenes. The purpose of employing solution-based SERS was to develop a method that could easily be used for in-process analysis of cannabis infused beverages. This thesis work also focuses on method development for polymer-controlled aggregation of AuNSs for solution-based SERS, a concept that has not yet been used with AuNSs or for cannabinoid or terpene detection. This project highlights the potential of Raman and SERS to be used in the cannabis industry for rapid and affordable quality control for cannabis products.