Always Better Solutions at BetterChem Consulting Inc
BetterChem Consulting was founded by Dr. Mark A. Scialdone in 2013 providing consulting services for the fine chemical and cannabis industries
Read about Dr. Scialdone
Dr. Scialdone is a recognized expert in the field of organic chemistry specializing in natural product chemistry including plant oil extraction, analysis and chemical modification. He is an inventor of 37 issued US patents and has authored 17 publications in the peer-reviewed scientific literature during more than two decades of both fundamental and product development research. He has given invited lectures at more than 30 different academic institutions and international symposia.
Dr. Scialdone holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Chemistry from Michigan Technological University, a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from Wayne State University and was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Colorado State University.
Dr. Scialdone was employed as a principal investigator at DuPont Central Research and Development at the Experimental Station in Wilmington, Delaware from 1994 to 2013. He then founded BetterChem Consulting to provide chemistry consulting services worldwide in the chemical, food, plant essential oil and cannabis industries. He has worked with more than a dozen clients on processing license applications, facility design and build out, equipment installation, SOP, and prototype development, process optimization, hiring and training staff for operational startup, and QA analytical support for both cannabis and hemp processing facilities.
Dr. Scialdone has conducted original chemical research to discover new, valuable compositions and is the inventor of new patented cannabinoid compounds including Hexahydrocannabinolic Acid (HHCA).
Dr. Scialdone is a member of the ASTM D37 Committee on Cannabis, the NCIA Testing Policy Working Group and is a founding member of the Cannabis Chemistry Subdivision of the American Chemical Society from which he received the Award for Excellence and Commitment to Cannabis Chemistry in 2018.
Recent Publications, Patents and Presentations from Dr. Scialdone
∆8-Iso Tetrahydrocannabinol and Neuronal Cell Signaling, June 27, 2023, ICRS 2023 Toronto
Building a Sustainable Industrial Hemp Processing Business, March 23, 2022, American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Diego CA.
What is HHC and how does it affect the body? Dec 14, 2021, The Cannigma
Hydrogenation of Cannabis Oil, US patent 10,071,127, September 11th, 2018
Hydrogenation of Cannabis Oil, US patent 9,694,040, July 4th, 2017
In the News
Waiting for CBD regulations in the US - Without oversight of hemp products, delta-8-THC, other cannabinoids flourish in unregulated market - C&E News
Expert Gives Delta-8 THC Thumbs Down - Organic Chemist Mark A. Scialdone, PhD, warns about unregulated synthetic intoxicants being sold under the guise of “hemp.” - Project CBD
Understanding Δ8-THC: Insights from Dr. Mark A. Scialdone - Formula Swiss
Raphael Mechoulam's Cannabis Chemistry Legacy - Curious About Cannabis
A Complete Guide to THCH: Research, Products, Potency & Effects - ACS Laboratory Blog
A Tribute to Raphael Mechoulam with Marcus Richardson, Ethan Russo, Robert Clarke and David Watson - Hash Church
Discovering Cannabis: A Deep Dive in Cannabinoid Science History with Mark Scialdone, PhD - Curious About Cannabis
What is THCP and How Does it Effect You? - The Cannigma
Cannabis Magic, Synthetic Cannabinoid Contaminants, and Hydrophobic Greaseballs: A Conversation with Dr. Mark Scialdone - Terpenes and Testing Magazine
How Delta-8 THC Became the Hot Semi-Legal High - Rolling Stone
Cannabis Chemistry History, Hydrogenated Cannabinoids, Science and Art - Curious About Cannabis Podcast
Plastics May Degrade Cannabis Potency in Food - Food Quality and Safety
AgroRefiner Commences Operation of Hemp Extraction Facility Focused on CBD
Weeding Through Marijuana: Experts, Advocates Talk Cannabidiol (CBD) - Aspen Times
Cannabinoid Analogues Offer a Promising Future for Medical Cannabis - National Cannabis Industry Association Committee Blog
Discovery Channel "Innovations" featuring Heidolph, Moxie, Dr. Mark Scialdone
Email Dr. Scialdone at mark@betterchemconsulting.com
Consulting Services Offered
Cannabis chemistry – extraction, processing, formulation, analytical testing, product registration
Product development – prototype formulations, quality testing, scale up, product authenticity (natural vs. synthetic)
Nano-formulations – design, testing and commercial production of API nanoemulsions
Organic Synthesis – bioactive small molecule total synthesis and analog SAR, polymeric products, and formulations
Natural products chemistry – plant oil extraction, analysis, and chemical processing/modification
Process development – reaction optimization, product purification, isolation, and formulation
Catalysis – homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, analytical methods development and scale up
Cancer – design and delivery of novel anticancer compounds, peptides, and functional materials
Business Development and Economic assessments – business model and multi-generational product pipeline development
Marketing Communication – obtain market research and voice of the customer, data and development of technical documentation