Microbiology in a Cannabis Testing Lab

Microbiology is one major area of focus for cannabis testing labs, which are concerned with testing for microbial contamination, as well as fungi and mycotoxins. Due to their expertise in microbiological analysis, cannabis testing labs are a vital institution for consumer health and wellness, ensuring that infectious bacterial and viral pathogens are identified.

In the expanding legal cannabis industry, states require cannabis producers to test their products before distributing them, guaranteeing their quality and safety. This typically includes testing for microbiological contamination that could threaten consumer health.

Beyond regulatory considerations, consumers expect transparency in their cannabis products; brands that offer a full slate of cannabis testing results are positioned to gain a competitive advantage over those that do not. As a result, cannabis testing labs with microbiology expertise are important partners for any cannabis producer that wants their cannabis to stand out as a safe, quality product.

In this blog, you will learn:

• Why microbiology is important to cannabis testing labs

• How cannabis testing labs test for microbiological contamination

• The types of microbes cannabis testing labs identify

Why is microbiology important in cannabis testing?

Microbiology testing is critical for cannabis producers because cannabis is often cultivated in the types of environments where microbial life flourishes. Warm, humid environments in which most cannabis cultivars thrive during cultivation encourage the growth of microbes like molds, mildews, and fungi, threatening the integrity of cannabis products if allowed to take hold. 

While low levels of microbes pose no threat, they can become dangerous to consumers in high enough amounts. In addition, some microbes, especially fungi, if left to proliferate, have the ability to develop harmful mycotoxins, which are carcinogens linked to liver and kidney damage. That is why most states require microbial testing. In New Jersey, for example, it is mandatory under state law to test for microbial life and ensure that it does not exceed accepted levels. 

How do cannabis testing labs test for microbiological contamination?

Cannabis testing labs can use several methods to test for various microbes that may have contaminated a sample. Basically, the testing can be broken into two types of tests, broad screens and the specific identification of pathogens. The most widely used methodologies involve the use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), or methods that involve culturing the microbes, and monitoring their growth, often referred to as ‘plating’. qPCR targets the specific genetic sequences of microbial entities, and can identify and quantify them quickly and specifically, while plating techniques determine more broadly if a sample has too much yeast, mold, or bacteria present.

True Labs for Cannabis uses both plating and qPCR. Embracing a robust testing platform that utilizes both approaches ensures that a lab can do both broad screening and pathogen specific testing. In addition to this, if one method produces a positive test, an internal “checks and balances” system can be employed to ensure the most accurate results are communicated to customers. 

Using these methods, True Labs for Cannabis tests for the following:

• Yeast

• Mold

• Bacteria: aerobic, coliform

• Aspergillus spp.

• Salmonella spp.

• E. coli

• Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC)

• Listeria monocytogenes

The ideal method for mycotoxin analysis and screening is the use of liquid chromatography (LC) with mass spectrometry (MS) detection, also known as LC/MS. True Labs for Cannabis uses LC/MS for mycotoxin testing, because it is the most sensitive and advanced methodology and equipment available for this analysis.  

What else do cannabis testing labs analyze?

In addition to testing for microbes, labs can also determine moisture content and water activity to gauge whether microbial life could thrive on the product before it reaches store shelves. Cannabis testing labs are also known for testing for cannabis content, one of the most common tests performed by any cannabis testing laboratory in the United States.

Additionally, cannabis testing labs are capable of examining samples for a wide range of contaminants. These include pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents in cannabis concentrates, microbes like molds and mildews, and mycotoxins. 

Further, cannabis testing labs can analyze the homogeneity of a cannabis product. This is especially important for edibles, which can be notoriously difficult to correctly measure per serving. Testing to ensure homogeneity means producers can stand behind the dosing on their packaging for the entire batch. That precision leads to happier consumers and helps establish brand loyalty. 

Testing cannabis products for microbes and mycotoxins in New Jersey

Testing labs with microbiological expertise are important in many major industries. They are involved in identifying the contaminants that threaten consumer health in food, cosmetics, and yes, cannabis. As the legal cannabis industry expands into more states, cannabis testing labs are becoming critical to cannabis producers who need to ensure compliance with state regulations and consumer expectations, and avoid public health issues. In states like New Jersey, where the cannabis industry is newly expanding into the adult-use space, cannabis testing labs like True Labs for Cannabis offer producers the opportunity to demonstrate to consumers with clear data what sets their cannabis products apart from the competition.