MICROBIOLOGY TEST - FAQ

What is a microbiology test?

A microbiology test is a laboratory procedure to examine and characterize microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, mold and other pathogens. In cannabis the term “microbiology testing” refers to counting the number of bacteria, yeast, mold, etc., or testing whether a specific pathogen is present in the product or not.

What is log reduction in microbiology?

In microbiology “log reduction” is a measure of how effective a process is at reducing pathogens. The greater the log reduction the more effective the process is at killing pathogens. ‘Log’ is short for logarithm, a mathematical term. Every ‘log’ increase is a 10-fold increase. For example, 3-log is 103 ou 10 x 10 x 10 = 1 000.

Une réduction logarithmique prend la puissance dans la direction opposée. Par exemple, une réduction logarithmique de 1 équivaut à une réduction de 10 fois ou, le décompte final est de 1/10 du décompte initial. Ainsi, le pourcentage de réduction est (1 - 1/10) x 100 = 90%.

To determine the log reduction, microbiology labs count the number of colony-forming units (CFU/g) of a given microorganism, e.g., TYMC, in a product before treatment. Then another sample is sent after Radio Frequency treatment to measure CFU/g of the same pathogen. The result of the difference between the ‘before’ and the ‘after’ is expressed as a Log Reduction.

En règle générale, pour chaque numéro de réduction de log supplémentaire, vous ajoutez un 9 au pourcentage de réduction - donc une réduction de log de 3, comme illustré ci-dessus est (1 - 1/1000) x 100 = réduction de 99,91 TP2T par rapport à un log réduction de 6 qui équivaut à une réduction de 99,9999%.

What is a gram stain test used for in microbiology?

In microbiology, a gram stain is a test used to identify bacteria. A sample is stained and examined under a microscope to see how the bacteria react to the stain. The bacteria are classified as either Gram-positive or Gram-negative based on the color they turn. Gram-positive bacteria appear purple, while Gram-negative bacteria appear pink. 

What are CFUs in cannabis? 

CFU stands for Colony Forming Units. It indicates the number of living microorganisms in cannabis. CFU is determined by counting the number of colonies that grow on a Petri dish.

What microbes and pathogens are screened in cannabis testing?

The microbes and pathogens screened in cannabis products vary and depend on state regulations. Some of the common ones include Total Yeast and Mold (TYMC), Total Aerobic Count (TAMC), Aspergillus, Coliforms, E. coli, and Bile-Tolerant Gram-negative Bacteria (BTGN).

What are the types of tests for microbial contamination in cannabis?

Two types of microbial testing are used for cannabis plant material. The first is a culture-based method involving plating a sample on selective media and incubating it under specific conditions to allow the growth of targeted microbes. The colonies formed are then counted to determine the microbial load, expressed as CFU/g. The second is the PCR method, which detects and quantifies specific microbial DNA of pathogens in the sample. 

Will Radio Frequency treatment help pass microbial testing?

Treatment with Radio Frequency is proven to reduce Total Yeast and Mold Count (TYMC) by more than 99.9% and comply with regulatory requirements. Radio Frequency is also effective in addressing other testing criteria such as Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC), Bile-Tolerant Gram-Negative (BTGN), Coliforms, and Aspergillus.

Does Radio Frequency eliminate pesticides or heavy metals?

Radio Frequency treatment focuses on reducing microbial contamination, such as yeast, mold, and bacteria, but it does not address or eliminate pesticides or heavy metals.

Can Radio Frequency Treat Penicillium?

Penicillium est un type de moisissure. On le trouve naturellement dans l'environnement (sol, végétation en décomposition et air).

Like any other microorganism, Penicillium family includes a wide range of species from which a few have been proven to be very beneficial to humans; for example, antibiotic penicillin is produced by Penicillium, and the mold used in making Camembert cheese is from the Penicillium family

D'autre part, de nombreuses espèces de Penicillium sont considérées comme des contaminants, et certaines peuvent même provoquer des infections chez l'homme ou produire des mycotoxines.

Knowing that Radio Frequency (RF) is effective in total yeast and mold reduction, it is expected that RF can reduce Penicillium population.  However, we do not have data specifically related to Penicillium species on cannabis and cannot predict specific log reduction.

Does Radio Frequency kill mycotoxins?

Les mycotoxines telles que les aflatoxines sont des toxines naturelles produites par des moisissures telles que Aspergillus. Ces toxines peuvent être à l'origine de divers effets néfastes sur la santé des humains et des animaux. La suppression immunitaire (affaiblissement du système immunitaire) et le cancer font partie des effets sur la santé associés à l'aflatoxine. La plupart des mycotoxines sont chimiquement stables et ne sont pas complètement détruites lors de la transformation des aliments. Pour éliminer ces composés, des conditions de traitement plus complexes et plus sévères sont requises.

Dans le passé, nous avons testé l'effet des RF sur la réduction de l'aflatoxine dans le maïs et observé une certaine réduction des concentrations d'aflatoxine à des températures élevées (110-120°C). Nous n'avons aucune donnée sur l'effet des RF sur les mycotoxines dans le cannabis. Cependant, sur la base de l'expérience antérieure, on peut dire que le temps et la température du processus RF pour la réduction de la population microbienne dans le cannabis ne sont pas suffisants pour détruire les mycotoxines.

Can Radio Frequency treat bile-tolerant gram-negative bacteria?

Bile-tolerant gram-negative (BTGN) bacteria are a group of bacteria that could survive the harsh condition of the human stomach. They are equipped with a membrane that protects them against a wide range of chemicals such as detergents and antimicrobial enzymes or even many antibiotics. Some bacteria from Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomona and Aeromonas families are members of the bile-tolerant gram-negative bacteria. They are widely spread in the environment.

Aux États-Unis, les organismes de réglementation qui utilisent la monographie du cannabis de l'American Herbal Pharmacopoeia comme référence pour définir la limite microbienne acceptable dans le cannabis exigent des tests pour les bactéries gram-négatives tolérantes à la bile avec une limite acceptable de < 1000 UFC/g. Washington, le Massachusetts, le Nouveau-Mexique, New York, l'Illinois et l'Ohio font partie des États où les tests de dépistage des bactéries gram-négatives tolérantes à la bile sont obligatoires.

La réglementation canadienne exige des tests de dépistage des bactéries gram-négatives tolérantes à la bile dans le cannabis. Ziel a une expérience limitée de la correction de BTGN, cependant, à ce stade, Ziel ne dispose pas de données adéquates pour prédire la réduction de log attendue de BTGN avec la recette de base.

Can Radio Frequency kill Aspergillus?

In limited production runs on cannabis flower that tested positive for Aspergillus, Radio Frequency was able to successfully bring that product to compliance.

Does mold or yeast regrow after Radio Frequency treatment?

No. As long as the water activity level is below 0.65, molds, yeasts, and bacteria will not grow back. Certificates of Analysis usually measure water activity levels. In addition, some states require water activity levels < 0.65 or 0.60 to ensure product stability after it is placed in retail dispensaries.

Should cultivators identify common molds before Radio Frequency treatment?

Cultivators don't need to identify the type of mold before treatment.

Can Radio Frequency fix powdery mildew?

Unfortunately, no. As the mold advances, visual impairment occurs. There is no remediation process that can remove the powdery mildew. The recommendations are to improve your upstream processes prior to harvest, manage the post-harvesting process effectively, and remediate with Radio Frequency.