Reveal® Q+ for d9-THC in Hemp

Reveal Q+ for d9-THC in Hemp is a single-step lateral flow immunoassay. It is used to test dried hemp flower samples that are decarboxylated to convert the THCA to total Δ9-THC. The decarboxylated hemp samples are ground and extracted with isopropanol to solubilize the Δ9-THC. The test strip is added to a small sample cup containing the diluted hemp extract. The extract is wicked through the reagent zone, which contains antibodies specific for Δ9-THC bound to a gold nanoparticle. If Δ9-THC is present, it will be captured by the antibody. The extract is then wicked onto a membrane containing a zone of Δ9-THC conjugated to a protein carrier. This zone captures any unbound gold nanoparticles, allowing the particles to concentrate and form a visible line.

As the level of Δ9-THC in a sample increases, free Δ9-THC will bind with the gold nanoparticle allowing the less gold complex to be captured in the test zones. Therefore, as the concentration of Δ9-THC in the sample increases, the test line density decreases. The membrane also contains a control zone where an immune complex present in the reagent zone is captured by an antibody, forming a visible line. The control line will always form regardless of the presence of Δ9-THC, ensuring the strip is functioning properly. This assay is analyzed exclusively with the Raptor® Solo Integrated Analysis Platform. The reader quantifies the amount of total Δ9-THC in a sample based on the ratio of the test line intensity and the control line intensity. Algorithms programmed into the Raptor Solo reader convert the line intensities into a quantitative result displayed in percent (%) THC on the reader’s screen.