Mycotoxins Testing

Types of Mycotoxins at PPB Analytical

There are many types of mycotoxins in the world, but the two most common cannabis mycotoxins include the following:

Aflatoxins

Aflatoxins are produced by the Aspergillus species. They are among the most potent carcinogens known to man. They can contaminate cannabis during cultivation, storage, and processing.

Ochratoxin A

Ochratoxin A is produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species and can contaminate cannabis during cultivation and storage. It has been associated with kidney damage and is classified as a possible human carcinogen.

What are Mycotoxins and Why Test for it?

Residual solvents in cannabis refer to any solvents that are left behind after the extraction process of cannabinoids and other compounds from the plant material. Solvents are used in the extraction process to dissolve and separate the desired compounds from the plant material.

Common solvents used in cannabis extraction include butane, propane, ethanol, and CO2. While these solvents are generally considered safe, if they are not completely removed from the final product, they can be harmful to human health when ingested or inhaled.

In Canada, testing for residual solvents in cannabis is required by law under the Cannabis Regulations, which were established under the Cannabis Act. The regulations require that licensed producers of cannabis conduct testing for a variety of contaminants, including residual solvents. The maximum allowable limits for residual solvents are set out in the regulations, and products that exceed these limits cannot be sold legally in Canada.

Testing for residual solvents can help to ensure that cannabis products are of high quality and purity. Proper extraction methods and solvent removal can have a significant impact on the final product’s taste, aroma, and potency. By testing for residual solvents, producers can ensure that their products meet the desired quality standards.

Our Mycotoxins Analytes

At PPB Analytical, we test for quality and analyze for excellence. We test for 6 Analytes in the Mycotoxins which can be viewed down below.

Aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxin B2

Aflatoxin G1

Aflatoxin G2

Total Aflatoxins

Ochratoxin A

A Breakdown of Mycotoxins Testing

Mycotoxins testing in cannabis is an essential step in ensuring the safety and quality of cannabis products by reducing the risk of harm to consumers. Mycotoxins testing in cannabis typically involves the following steps:

Sample collection: PPB Analytical Incorporated receives the cannabis samples for testing and verifies the identification and chain of custody for each sample. Samples are taken according to Health Canada guidelines, which specify the minimum number of samples required and the frequency of sampling.

Sample Preparation: Methanol, ethanol, or water are used as solvents to extract samples ground into homogeneous powders. Any plant debris or impurities are then removed from the extracted solution.

Analysis: The filtered extract is then analyzed using advanced analytical techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). These techniques are highly sensitive and can detect mycotoxins at very low levels.

Reporting: The results of the analysis are reported in terms of the concentration of each mycotoxin detected in the sample. These results are compared against the maximum levels established by Health Canada.

Next Steps: If mycotoxin levels exceed the maximum levels established by Health Canada, follow-up actions may be necessary, such as disposing of contaminated material or implementing corrective measures.