Note to media: Dr. Paula Brown is available for an interview to speak about her research and the world’s first official method for analyzing cannabis. Please contact Amy Chen to schedule.
The world’s first official method for analyzing cannabis
The AOAC ™ has officially approved the method of analysis for cannabis published by Dr. Paula Brown, BCIT Canada Research Chair in Phytoanalytics and Director of Natural Health and Food Products Research Group (NRG).
Dr. Paula Brown along with Dr. Susan Murch from the University of British Columbia Okanagan and their recently graduated PhD student, Dr. Elizabeth Mudge, submitted their method for publication in 2017 to the Journal of Analytical & Bioanalytical Chemistry.
The top 100 read papers for Scientific Reports in 2018
Dr. Brown’s research article on Chemometric Analysis of Cannabinoids: Chemotaxonomy and Domestication Syndrome received 7,904 article views in 2018, placing it as one of the top 100 read papers for Scientific Reports in 2018.
“On April 16, we received notice that our article was one of the most highly downloaded articles in 2018.” said Dr. Brown “It is very gratifying to have our work noticed and more importantly used by the greater scientific community.”
Scientific Reports published more than 17,000 papers in 2018, and so a position in the Top 100 Most Highly Read articles is an extraordinary achievement and represents significant value to the research community.
The method was then recommended for First Action status as an AOAC®Official MethodSM in December 2017 and then codified and added to the 21st Edition of the Official Method of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL in December 2018. This publication, considered to be the comprehensive collection of methods worldwide, includes methods adopted as harmonized international reference methods by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Dairy Federation (IDF), the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
SEE MORE: How high-tech cannabis research in Vancouver is supporting the burgeoning Canadian pot industry
The importance of a validated official method
“Having validated official methods is essential to the natural products community both for manufacturers in their regulatory compliance platforms, and for consumer confidence that the products in the marketplace are being evaluated consistently and accurately,” said Dr. Holly Johnson, Chief Science Officer, American Herbal Products Association. “Dr. Brown’s lab at BCIT has been a powerhouse for many years, contributing an impressive number of robust well developed validated methods for characterization of botanical materials.”
Learn more about the importance in having official methods of analysis.
In August 2018, the BCIT NRG Group also received approvals on three other official methods of validation:
- Echinacea AOAC SMPR® 2017.015 (Paula Brown and Michael Chan)
- Ginseng AOAC SMPR® 2017.014 (Paula Brown and Ronan Yu)
- Kavalactones AOAC SMPR® 2018.005 (Paula Brown, Ying Liu, Jensen Lund)
The AOAC has also approved these methods from NRG:
- Curcuminoids in Turmeric AOAC SMPR® 2016.003 (Paula Brown, Elizabeth Mudge)
- Kombucha AOAC SMPR 2016.001 (Paula Brown, Ying Liu)
- Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom) 2017.14 (Paula Brown, Elizabeth Mudge)
- Goldenseal (Official Methods SM 2008.04) Paula Brown, Michael Chan)
Have you subscribed? Sign-up to receive the latest news on BCIT.
About Dr. Paula N. Brown
After five years as Canada Research Chair in Phytoanalytics (the study of plant-based medicines), Dr. Brown has been awarded a second five-year appointment renewal from the Government of Canada. This appointment renewal provides Dr. Brown with funding to continue her research on improving the quality standards, agricultural and conservation management practices, and application of botanical-based natural health products manufactured, prescribed and consumed in Canada.
To learn more about ongoing research from Dr. Paula Brown, please contact Paula Brown or Sandra Jette.
About the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
For more than 50 years, the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has been training the experts, innovators, and professionals who shape our economy – across BC and around the world. With five campuses and over 50,000 students enrolled each year, BCIT is one of BC’s largest post-secondary institutes. Through our unique applied education model, students gain the technical skills, real-world experience, and problem-solving ability needed to embrace complexity and lead innovation in a rapidly changing workforce. The BCIT curriculum is developed through close consultation with industry and delivered by instructors who have direct, hands-on experience in their fields.