Lab Update

Today I spoke with scientists at Specialty Analytical, Steep Hill Halent and Sunrise Analytical. These labs are currently working the MO samples in different ways. I am no chemist, so bare with me.

Specialty Analytical: My conversation with the chemist, AJ, was in regard to his confidence level in the test that Gray Wolf received (Lucienne) and the two that I will receive on Tuesday (Newport and Vector). AJ reiterated that the Tentatively Identified Compound (TIC) summary is based on an automated hit on a library of 100,000+ compounds. He verified that this test, because of its nature to create false-positives, will need "quantitative analysis" by a chemist. The chemist would be looking at those compounds on the TIC list and any compounds with indicating factors that stood out would become a focus (high "response time" etc.) Once a substance is identified as a possible 'suspect', a sample has to be purchased in its most pure form so that it can be used as a reference in both calibrating the GC/MS and then matching it to the 'suspected' compound in the MO. With a chuckle, AJ says that this is where "the real research begins, and where it gets real expensive, too." I look forward to my conversation with him on Tuesday.

Steep Hill Halent: This is a bit more of a 'wild goose chase; but, may yield some interesting results in the end. Travis, the chemist with Steep Hill Halent whose background happens to be in petroleum distillates, is using a combination of GC/MS and HLPC tests. Even though he has no idea what he is looking for 'structurally', (meaning the GC/MS is not calibrated for the MO or any of its compounds) he is able to see "unique peaks" when he runs the MO sample as if it were BHO and he was testing for either specific residual pesticides and solvents, or cannabinoid content (all three are different tests). One "peak" in particular that Travis says is "odd" is showing up clearly in multiple tests and he thinks that it will not interfere with any of the compounds (Cannabinoids, solvents, etc) that the machine is calibrated for. With a BHO sample he thinks he may be able to at least give us a positive identification of this peak in BHO. This will not have established the 'standard' that we are hoping for, of course. But it is fun science and Travis has been very kind to continue to try and educate me along the way. I will be delivering the BHO samples to Travis next week along with the TIC from Specialty Analytical.

Sunrise Analytical: Pat, the chemist with Sunrise, was kind enough to take interest in this project as well. He runs an analytical lab and will be joining the conversation further next week. He has lots to add.

Thank-you to all the chemists for their time and patience.