Microbial testing

Microbial testing screens cannabis for pathogenic microorganisms and indicator organisms that signal contamination or poor handling hygiene. Pathogens commonly screened include Total Yeast and Mold (typical limit 10,000 CFU/g), Total Aerobic Count (100,000 CFU/g), Salmonella (presence/absence — any detection fails), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), generic E. coli, total coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae, Listeria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus. California's DCC requires inhalable products to be "not detected" for six specific targets: four Aspergillus species, Salmonella, and STEC; non-inhalable products test only for STEC and Salmonella. Analytical methods include qPCR (amplifying pathogen-specific DNA, 48-hour turnaround, preferred for Aspergillus because culture methods fail on slow-growing heterogeneous colonies) and traditional culture-based plating on selective agars. qPCR vendors include Medicinal Genomics PathoSEEK, GT Molecular, and Applied Food Diagnostics. Microbial contamination matters especially because many cannabis consumers are medical patients who may be immunocompromised, at elevated risk from bacterial pathogens and Salmonella (which can trigger febrile seizures in epilepsy patients). → See also: Aspergillus, Mycotoxin, COA