Cannabis Classification via Terpene and Cannabinoid Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional classification methods for cannabis fail to account for the chemical diversity of cannabis products, particularly in terms of psychoactive, medical, entourage, and organoleptic properties, leading to inaccurate categorization based solely on morphological characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A chemical analysis system that includes a chemical analyzer for estimating terpene and cannabinoid levels, coupled with a computing apparatus to classify samples based on these levels using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography flame ionization detection (GC-FID) analysis, employing hierarchical clustering approaches to group cannabis samples effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional morphological classification methods are used, then the classification process is simple and easy to perform, but the classification accuracy and ability to account for chemical diversity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual morphological classification with automated chemical analysis systems (HPLC, GC-FID) coupled with computational algorithms. The chemical analyzer and computing apparatus automatically perform classification based on terpene and cannabinoid profiles, substituting human visual inspection with instrument-based chemical characterization to achieve higher precision without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the classification basis from morphological parameters (visual characteristics) to chemical parameters (terpene and cannabinoid levels). By measuring and analyzing chemical compositions through HPLC and GC-FID, the system captures the true chemical diversity of cannabis samples, enabling accurate classification that reflects actual chemical profiles rather than superficial morphological similarities
2Loss of information
If chemical analysis methods (HPLC, GC-FID) are implemented, then the classification precision and chemical diversity accounting improve, but the device complexity and analysis time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs chemical analysis of terpene and cannabinoid profiles before classification occurs. By pre-measuring the chemical compositions using HPLC and GC-FID, the system has all necessary data ready for automated classification algorithms, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual evaluation and enabling rapid, informed classification decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a chemical fingerprint or profile (a data copy) of each cannabis sample through HPLC and GC-FID analysis. This chemical profile serves as a representative copy of the sample's composition, which can then be stored, compared, and classified without requiring repeated physical analysis of the original sample, significantly reducing analysis time while preserving complete chemical information
3Reliability
If comprehensive terpene and cannabinoid profiling is performed, then the entourage effect and organoleptic property prediction improves, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs HPLC and GC-FID instruments that serve multiple functions: they quantify individual terpenes and cannabinoids, determine their relative proportions, and generate comprehensive chemical profiles. These same instruments can analyze different cannabis samples using identical methods, ensuring consistent, reliable predictions of entourage effects and organoleptic properties across the entire product line while maintaining standardized manufacturing procedures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system provides a precise and chemical-based classification of cannabis, accurately reflecting the psychoactive, medical, and organoleptic profiles of cannabis samples, enhancing the reliability of categorization beyond traditional morphological methods.
Implementation Method 1
The chemical analyzer includes one or more of a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyzer or gas chromatography flame ionization detection (GC-FID) analyzer
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for estimating a terpene level of two or more terpenes of the plurality of terpenes in the sample to generate a set of terpene levels; and/or estimating a cannabinoid level of two or more cannabinoids of the plurality of cannabinoids in the sample to generate a set of cannabinoid levels; configured to store a set of groups and classify the sample to a group of the set of groups, based on said terpene and cannabinoid levels. The present disclosure also relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods configured to generate entourage effect values and organoleptic values, based on said cannabinoid and terpene levels.