The Most Common Types of Microbials in Cannabis

There are many types of microbials in cannabis, but the most frequent cannabis microbials include the following:

Bacteria

Several types of bacteria can be found in cannabis, including Aerobic and Anaerobic bacteria, which can cause serious infections. Other harmful bacteria include E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Yeast

Yeast is another type of microbe that can be found in cannabis, and while it is not usually harmful, high levels of yeast can indicate poor storage conditions.

Fungi

Fungal growth on cannabis can be problematic because certain species produce mycotoxins that can be harmful when ingested or inhaled. The most common types of fungi found in cannabis include Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium

Mold

Mold growth on cannabis can lead to the development of harmful mycotoxins, which can cause health problems if ingested or inhaled. The most common types of mold found in cannabis include Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Botrytis.

What are Microbials and Why Scan/ Test for it?

Microbials are microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses that can be found on plants, including cannabis. These microorganisms can pose a risk to human health if consumed or inhaled, particularly if they are present in high amounts or if they are pathogenic.

Safety: Some microorganisms can be harmful to human health when consumed or inhaled. For example, certain bacteria such as E. coli, Listeria, or Salmonella, as well as certain fungi such as Aspergillus, can cause serious infections or produce toxins that can be harmful if ingested or inhaled. Testing for microbials helps identify potential health risks associated with contaminated cannabis products, ensuring that they are safe for consumption or use.

Quality: Microbial testing is also important for assessing the overall quality of cannabis products. The presence of high levels of microorganisms can indicate poor hygiene practices during cultivation, processing, or storage, which can affect the overall quality of the product. Ensuring that cannabis products are free from harmful microorganisms helps maintain product quality and integrity.

Regulatory Compliance: Many jurisdictions have regulations in place that require cannabis products to undergo microbial testing to ensure compliance with safety standards. This is particularly important in the cannabis industry, where products are often used for medicinal purposes and consumed by vulnerable populations, such as patients with compromised immune systems. Microbial testing helps cannabis producers comply with regulatory requirements and demonstrate that their products meet safety standards which in this case would be Health Canada.

Consumer Confidence: Microbial testing can also help build consumer confidence in cannabis products. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the safety and quality of cannabis products, and knowing that products have been tested for microorganisms can provide assurance that the products are safe for consumption or use.

Our Microbial Scans

At PPB Analytical, we test for purity for excellence. We can test for 5 or 7 Analytes for the Microbial Scan testing. The 7 different analytes which can be viewed down below.

Total Combined Yeast and Mold
Microbial Scan 5

Total Aerobic Microbial Count
Microbial Scan 5

Bile Tolerant Gram Negatives
Microbial Scan 5

Salmonella spp.
Microbial Scan 5

Escherichia coli
Microbial Scan 5

Staphylococcus aureus
Microbial Scan 7

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Microbial Scan 7

Receiving testing from the two additional analytes (Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) can be requested by clients on sample submission form. 

A Breakdown of the Microbial Scan

Microbial scan analysis in Canada, specifically for cannabis testing, typically involves several steps to detect and quantify the presence of harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, yeast, and mold. The breakdown of the microbial scan analysis process in Canada includes:

The microbial scan analysis in Canada typically involves the following steps:

Sample collection: Cannabis samples are collected from the production site according to regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Samples are collected using appropriate aseptic techniques to prevent contamination.

Sample preparation: Cannabis samples are prepared for microbial analysis by homogenizing or grinding them to obtain a representative subsample for testing. Sample preparation methods may vary depending on the type of sample and the testing requirements of the specific microbial analysis method being used.

Microbial testing: Several methods can be used for microbial testing in cannabis in Canada, including the PLATE method, qPCR method, and other standard microbiological techniques. These methods involve the following steps:

Enumeration: The number of viable microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, yeast, mold) in the sample is determined by plating aliquots of the prepared sample onto nutrient-rich agar plates or other selective or differential media. The plates are then incubated under specific conditions to promote microbial growth.

Identification: After incubation, the colonies of microorganisms that have grown on the agar plates are counted and identified using standard microbiological techniques, such as colony morphology, gram staining, and biochemical tests. PCR-based methods may be used to detect specific microbial pathogens or toxins in the sample.

Data analysis: The results obtained from microbial testing are analyzed to determine if the cannabis sample meets the regulatory requirements or industry standards for microbial contamination. Results are typically reported as colony-forming units (CFUs) per gram or per milliliter of the sample, indicating the number of viable microorganisms present.

Reporting: Microbial testing results are reported to the relevant stakeholders, such as the cannabis producer, distributor, or regulatory authorities, as required by the applicable regulations or industry guidelines.

Actions: Based on the microbial testing results, appropriate actions may be taken, such as product disposition (release, retesting, or disposal), corrective actions to address the source of contamination, or other measures to ensure the safety and quality of cannabis products.

Learn more about Microbial Scan Testing in these Blog Posts

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