AOAC 133rd Annual Meeting - Final Program

Scientific Sessions | Wednesday

3:40 PM Overcoming Challenges in Development of Cannabis Reference Materials Melissa Phillips, U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Joe Konschnik, Restek Corporation, Jeremy Melanson, National Research Council Canada Reference materials (RMs) for calibration and validation are critical to the quality assurance of measurements for Cannabis to adequately represent challenges in extraction, digestion, separation, and/or detection of analytes of interest. One major obstacle involves the legal status of Cannabis products (based on THC content and/or intended use in various geographical areas), which affects the ability of RM producers to acquire, handle, test, and distribute materials. Logistics aside, producers of calibration RMs face complications with purity and stability of cannabinoids in solution. In addition, the Cannabis plant is a unique and challenging matrix and the various delivery mech- anisms of cannabinoids (e.g., oils, edibles) require extensive extraction and separation expertise to ensure measurement accuracy. In addition to calibration and matrix-matched RMs for cannabinoids, RMs are also needed for other desirable (e.g., terpenes) and undesirable (e.g., pesticides, residual solvents, mycotoxins, microbiological contaminants) in Cannabis products, each presenting additional complexities. This presen- tation will highlight examples of overcoming the challenges in the development of reference materials to support accurate measurements in Cannabis. 4:00 PM Implementation of New and Novel Approaches to Microbial Testing of Cannabis and Cannabis Infused Products Mike Clark, Bio-Rad Laboratories Method development is, in itself, a complicated process that may take several years and involve several internal and exter- nal stakeholders to bring a kit to market. During the method’s development, every effort is made to evaluate the assay thor- oughly on a variety of conditions, matrices, inoculation levels, flora complexity, etc. But method development is only one step in the process, and it is difficult to anticipate the unforeseen challenges, matrix diversity and performance requirements that arise in real-world application. Developing and validat- ing methods specifically for cannabis and cannabis infused matrices brings with it a whole new set of challenges. Matrix accessibility, standardized reference methods, and standardize regulatory requirements are just a few things that need to be considered when developing and implementing new methods. This presentation will discuss the approaches taken to develop a new Aspergillus real-time PCR kit specifically for cannabis and cannabis infused products.

4:15 PM Cannabis and Cannabis Byproducts: An Update on the State of Industry and Current Challenges Toby Astill, PerkinElmer, Inc. Analyzing cannabis and CBD samples can be challenging. From setting up a laboratory to developing methods, even experi- enced chemists can struggle to ensure SOP’s comply with state and country regulations. Join us for a look at the scientific topics, resources and processes required to ensure cannabis samples are tested with confidence – from sample preparation, pesti- cide analysis, and an overview of the AOAC CASP cannabis program.

SYMPOSIUM: Prebiotic, an Evolving Nutrition Concept 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Grand Ballroom 2 Chair: Xun Yan, AMWAY 3:00 PM Prebiotic Concept and Its Effects Xun Yan, AMWAY

Prebiotics are recognized as a class of nutrients for their ability to manipulate host microbiota which confer various benefits to the host. The prebiotics definition and related health benefits have evolved significantly since the concept was first intro- duced in 1995. Prebiotics are now defined as a substrate that can be selectively utilized by the microbiota at the action sites. The active sites of prebiotics include skin surface and cavities, and the gastrointestinal tract, where microbiota resides. Many plant-based nutrients and phytochemicals, such as, polyphe- nols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, have demonstrated prebiotic effects besides the well-regarded carbohydrates. Many prebiotic effects have also been demonstrated in the literature, includ- ing improved intestinal functions, immunity modulation, and reduction in other metabolic syndromes. The causality between the microbiota profile, the prebiotic metabolic effects, and the physiological effects are among the most active research areas in the field. The presentation will discuss topics about the concepts, regula- tions, and experimental techniques on prebiotic research. 3:15 PM The Global Regulatory Update on Prebiotics Christina Phelps, Nutrilite As interest in the microbiome increases, so does the prominence of products promising health benefits from microbiome modu- lation. Following in the wake of the probiotic trend, prebiotics promise shelf-stable, palatable, high-impact supplementation solutions. So, what is the definition of “prebiotic”? What regula- tions apply to the use of the term? Is a prebiotic in the U.S. still a prebiotic in India? Where are regulations changing? An analysis of the regulatory landscape for prebiotics.

30 SEPTEMBER 6–12, 2019 SHERATON DENVER DOWNTOWN HOTEL