- Cannabix Technologies (BLO) correlates THC in breath and blood using proprietary sample collection and analysis hardware in an experimental study
- The study showed an excellent correlation between breath samples collected and analyzed with Cannabix hardware and blood plasma levels of THC
- Capable of sampling breath for low volatility analytes, like THC, and can be completed within seconds
- Developed by Cannabix scientists and engineers was recently tested in an independent study conducted by Dr. Phillip Olla of Audacia Bioscience in Ontario
- The experimental study included six subjects with 60 per cent to 40 per cent between men and women
- Cannabix Technologies Inc. (BLO) is up 1.96 per cent, trading at C$0.52 at 12:27 pm ET
Cannabix Technologies (BLO) has successfully detected ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol in human breath in an experimental study.
The study of a version of its FAIMS technology showed an excellent correlation between breath samples collected and analyzed with Cannabix hardware and blood plasma levels of THC.
Its handheld Breath Collection Unit and newly developed laboratory “MS Breath Sampler” were used for drug detection.
This drug detection complements gold-standard mass spectrometry (MS) and has the potential to decrease laboratory analysis times and operating costs.
It has developed a unique breath analysis system, capable of sampling breath for low volatility analytes, like THC, and can be completed within seconds, with no sample preparation needed.
This novel system, developed by Cannabix scientists and engineers, was recently tested in an independent study conducted by pioneering scientist Dr. Phillip Olla of Audacia Bioscience in Ontario.
Dr. Olla is one of only a handful of scientists globally who have historically ever conducted THC analysis in blood and breath.
The experimental study included six subjects with 60 per cent to 40 per cent between men and women with an average age of 23 years.
Breath and blood samples were taken simultaneously at the baseline (a timepoint before smoking cannabis) and total time points (after smoking cannabis) out to 1 hour and 40 minutes after smoking.
It should be noted that Cannabix has been able to detect and confirm THC in breath using the same hardware out to 4 hours after smoking in recent lab testing.
Breath samples were taken with the Cannabix BCU and analyzed using the Cannabix Mass Spectrometer (MS) Breath Sampler coupled to Thermo TSQ Quantum Ultra MS.
THC fragments were analyzed using Thermo Xcalibur software, and areas under the chromatogram curves (AUC) were determined using the software’s detection feature.
Blood serum samples were analyzed at Analytical Facility for Bioactive Molecules at The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, ON, Canada) using LC/MS/MS, according to conventional standard operating procedures.
The resulting data provides an excellent correlation between human breath samples collected and analyzed with the Cannabix hardware and blood plasma levels of THC.
Furthermore, the data from this experimental study supports the literature by showing the same trends in THC metabolism and that blood and breath levels of THC over time correlate with a high degree of accuracy – within one or two hours after smoking.
Readers should note that blood is currently the standard measurement for law enforcement, toxicologists and evidence used in law courts. The BCU is also used with the Cannabix portable FAIMS THC detection unit.
Cannabix Sr. Analytical Chemist Dr. Jared Boock stated, “This study shows the capability of the Cannabix Breath Analysis system to easily and rapidly collect breath samples in the field and correlate to blood THC levels.”
“We have developed a truly ground-breaking breath analysis tool capable of breath sampling for THC, within seconds, with no sample preparation needed[…],” added Dr. Boock.
The matching post-smoking time points were selected to highlight the correlation between the plasma THC levels in the studies.
Cannabix Technologies Inc. is a developer of marijuana breathalyzer technologies for law enforcement and the workplace.
Cannabix is working to develop drug-screening devices that will detect THC – the psychoactive component of marijuana that causes impairment using breath samples.
Cannabix Technologies Inc. (BLO) is up 1.96 per cent, trading at C$0.52 at 12:27 pm ET.
