Mycotoxins are naturally occurring chemicals produced by certain Aspergillus and Penicillium species that grow on cannabis and agricultural crops that are produced, transported, cured, or stored in humid and warm conditions. Mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins (G2, G1, B2, and B1) and ochratoxin A, can cause a variety of adverse health effects that are a danger to consumers, especially those who are immunocompromised. State mycotoxin regulations for cannabis generally match that of the FDA’s 20 ppb action level for total mycotoxins in human food.
Waters and VICAM offer a range of options for monitoring mycotoxin levels from simple, easy-to-use strip tests, immunoaffinity clean up with a fluorometric detection, to quantitative analysis using LC-FLR and LC-MS/MS.