Mycotoxin Analysis
Mycotoxin analysis is typically performed on either plant tissue or oil. In the case of Incredible Edibles, we require such testing to be done on our CBD oil. This removes the necessity to homogenize and extract the mycotoxins from the plant (assuming its presence).
The analysis of mycotoxins in oil begins with running the oil (diluted) through specific solid phase extraction tubes and then performing HPLC analysis with fluorescence detector on the eluate. For details on HPLC analysis, click here, or for further detail, see page 20 in this document.
In this industry, the standards are not definitively set for hemp, and as such the standards of testing adopted here are adopted from the regulation of Medical Marijuana in the state of CT.
Mycotoxin Solid Phase Extraction
Mycotoxin analysis preparation has been made easy with the production of Supel™ Tox SPE Cartridges by SupelCo/Sigma-Aldrich. There are two specific types that are required for general testing, Supel Tox AflaZea and Super Tox OchraBind. These eluate These are used to ultimately bind Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A respectively. Supel Tox AflaZea can also be used for Zearalenone, however, this is not normally applicable to mycotoxin analysis of C. sativa.
The aforementioned SPE tubes utilize two separate strategies for eluting the mycotoxin. The SPE for Aflatoxin employs interference removal, the matrix (oil) remains bound to the sorbent (solid phase), while the analyte (mycotoxin) is eluted. Conversely, the SPE for Ochratoxin binds the mycotoxin to the sorbent while the mobile phase is discarded (oil) and then eluted later once an elution solvent is applied. A diagram taken from here is included below.
Mycotoxin Analysis
Mycotoxin analysis is typically performed on either plant tissue or oil. In the case of Incredible Edibles, we require such testing to be done on our CBD oil. This removes the necessity to homogenize and extract the mycotoxins from the plant (assuming its presence).
The analysis of mycotoxins in oil begins with running the oil (diluted) through specific solid phase extraction tubes and then performing HPLC analysis with fluorescence detector on the eluate. For details on HPLC analysis, click here, or for further detail, see page 20 in this document.
In this industry, the standards are not definitively set for hemp, and as such the standards of testing adopted here are adopted from the regulation of Medical Marijuana in the state of CT.
Mycotoxin Solid Phase Extraction
Mycotoxin analysis preparation has been made easy with the production of Supel™ Tox SPE Cartridges by SupelCo/Sigma-Aldrich. There are two specific types that are required for general testing, Supel Tox AflaZea and Super Tox OchraBind. These eluate These are used to ultimately bind Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A respectively. Supel Tox AflaZea can also be used for Zearalenone, however, this is not normally applicable to mycotoxin analysis of C. sativa.
The aforementioned SPE tubes utilize two separate strategies for eluting the mycotoxin. The SPE for Aflatoxin employs interference removal, the matrix (oil) remains bound to the sorbent (solid phase), while the analyte (mycotoxin) is eluted. Conversely, the SPE for Ochratoxin binds the mycotoxin to the sorbent while the mobile phase is discarded (oil) and then eluted later once an elution solvent is applied. A diagram taken from here is included below.
Mycotoxin Testing Requirements for Hemp
The requirements for mycotoxins in hemp set forth by Incredible Edibles, as adopted from the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies for Medical Marijuana, are set so that all of the following mycotoxins occur at quantities less than 20 μg/kg of oil:
Aflatoxin B1
Aflatoxin B2
Aflatoxin G1
Aflatoxin G2
Ochratoxin A
(Sec. 21a-408-58. Laboratory testing)
Originally, the law specified specific levels for 'Alfatoxin', a likely mispelling of Aflatoxin, and also specified quantities for 'Alfatoxins' O1 and O2, which also do not exist. As such, we adopted the likely correct types of Aflatoxins, G1 and G2 to the standard.
These standards are apt to change quickly, especially with incoming FDA regulations and more intense medical research on hemp consumption.
There are available standards for use in the HPLC analysis that naturally follows SPE, all available from Sigma-Aldrich, depicted below on the left. On the right is an example of a chromatograph resultant from various samples intentionally contaminated with Aflatoxins. Please click here if you would like to read more on HPLC.
