Terpenes are aromatic organic compounds produced by cannabis and many other plants. Terpene analysis identifies and measures these compounds, providing producers with detailed information about a product's flavor, aroma, and overall chemical profile.
Terpenes are an increasingly important quality tool for producers seeking to differentiate products, maintain batch consistency, and support product development in competitive markets.
Terpenes are a large class of volatile organic compounds responsible for the distinctive scent and flavor characteristics of many plants, including cannabis, citrus fruits, pine trees, and lavender. In cannabis, terpenes are produced in the same resin glands (trichomes) as cannabinoids and contribute significantly to the sensory experience of a product.
Terpene profiles vary by strain, growing conditions, harvest timing, and post-harvest handling. These variables mean that even products from the same genetic lineage can exhibit meaningfully different terpene compositions depending on how they were grown and processed.
Some researchers and industry practitioners describe a potential ‘entourage effect,’ suggesting that terpenes and cannabinoids may interact synergistically. While this remains an area of active research, terpene profiling gives producers data-driven insight into what distinguishes their products.
GNA uses gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to perform terpene analysis. This method separates and identifies individual terpene compounds based on their chemical properties and measures their concentration within a sample.
Because terpenes are volatile compounds that can degrade with heat or improper storage, proper sample handling and preparation are critical to obtaining accurate and representative results. Results are reported as a percentage of the total sample weight or in milligrams per gram (mg/g).