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?

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds, such as Aspergillus and Penicillium, which can contaminate cannabis plants during cultivation, drying, or storage. These toxins, notably aflatoxins and ochratoxins, are chemically stable and can survive processing, posing serious health risks to consumers, including liver and kidney damage, immune suppression, and carcinogenic effects.

In the cannabis industry, mycotoxin contamination can occur due to improper humidity control, overwatering, or inadequate storage conditions that promote mold growth. Even trace amounts of mycotoxins can render a product unsafe, leading to regulatory non-compliance and potential recalls.

Testing for mycotoxins is crucial to ensure product safety and compliance with health regulations. Advanced analytical methods, such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), are employed to detect and quantify mycotoxins at trace levels, safeguarding consumer health and maintaining product integrity.

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

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.