Evaluating the Effects of Gamma-Irradiation for Decontamination of Medicinal Cannabis

Hazekamp, Arno

doi:10.3389/fphar.2016.00108

Cited by 48 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…This may be achieved at multiple points in the production process; by ensuring clean growing media, handling and storing preparations hygienically, and gamma‐irradiation of the final product . Gamma‐irradiation has been tested successfully as a standard technique for sterilization of medicinal cannabis preparations .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cannabis contaminants: sources, distribution, human toxicity and pharmacologic effects

Dryburgh

Bolan

Grof

et al. 2018

Brit J Clinical Pharma

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There has been a resurgence in interest and use of the cannabis plant for medical purposes. However, an in-depth understanding of plant contaminants and toxin effects on stability of plant compounds and human bioavailability is needed. This systematic review aims to assess current understanding of the contaminants of cannabis and their effect on human health, leading to the identification of knowledge gaps for future investigation. A systematic search of seven indexed biological and biomedical databases and the Cochrane library was undertaken from inception up to December 2017. A qualitative synthesis of filtered results was undertaken after independent assessment for eligibility by two reviewers. The common cannabis contaminants include microbes, heavy metals and pesticides. Their direct human toxicity is poorly quantified but include infection, carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental impacts. Cannabis dosing formulations and administration routes affect the transformation and bioavailability of contaminants. There may be important pharmacokinetic interactions between the alkaloid active ingredients of cannabis (i.e. phytocannabinoids) and contaminants but these are not yet identified nor quantified. There is significant paucity in the literature describing the prevalence and human impact of cannabis contaminants. Advances in the availability of cannabis globally warrant further research in this area, particularly when being used for patients.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cannabis contaminants: sources, distribution, human toxicity and pharmacologic effects

Dryburgh

Bolan

Grof

et al. 2018

Brit J Clinical Pharma

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“…In contrast, McKernan et al (2016b) reported the presence of mould and yeast in 6/17 dispensary-derived cannabis bud samples using qPCR, which also included several Penicillium species. One approach to reducing these fungal contaminants on cannabis buds is the prescribed use of post-harvest gamma-irradiation (Meklin et al, 2007;Hazekamp, 2016), which is currently being implemented by some licensed producers in Canada (https:// aphria.ca/blog/3-facts-about-medical-cannabis-irradia tion/). Powdery mildew on hemp was previously reported to be caused by Leveillula taurica (Lev.)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flower and foliage-infecting pathogens of marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.) plants

Punja

2018

Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology

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Flower buds of Cannabis sativa develop as inflorescences (buds) which are harvested and dried prior to sale. The extent to which fungal plant pathogens can colonize the buds prior to harvest has not been previously studied. Flower buds were sampled at various preharvest and harvest time periods during 2015-2017 at locations in British Columbia and Alberta to determine the range of fungi present. Isolated fungi were inoculated onto developing buds to determine the extent of tissue colonization. A pre-and post-harvest internal rot was associated with Botrytis cinerea, causing botrytis bud rot. In addition, two species of Penicillium-P. olsonii and P. copticolawere recovered from pre-harvest flower buds, as well as dried buds, and shown to cause penicillium bud rot. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed colonization and sporulation on bracts and stigmas of the flower buds by P. olsonii. Several Fusarium species, which were identified using ITS rDNA sequences as F. solani, F. oxysporum and F. equiseti, were isolated from pre-harvest flower buds. These fungi colonized the flower buds following artificial inoculation and caused visible rot symptoms. The most severe symptoms were caused by F. solani, followed by F. oxysporum and, to a much lesser extent, F. equiseti. Powdery mildew infection of the foliage and flower buds was caused by Golovinomyces(Erysiphe) cichoracearum. The pathogen was detected on young vegetatively propagated cuttings and sporulation was abundant on older plants and on flower buds. The various fungi recovered from cannabis flower buds may be present as contaminants from aerially dispersed spores and have the potential to cause various types of pre-and post-harvest bud rot under conducive environmental conditions. Powdery mildew may be spread through aerially disseminated spores and infected propagation materials. Management of these pathogens will require monitoring of the growth environment for spore levels and implementation of sanitization methods to reduce inoculum sources.

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“…Furthermore, while desiccation of the flowers and high temperature would be expected to decrease viable microbial counts, it would not eliminate all of the microorganisms nor the endotoxins and mycotoxins that they would produce (or have already produced). Gamma irradiation, where material is exposed to a high powered gamma radiation source, is another approved method by Health Canada (https://www.canada.ca/) for decontamination which does not cause changes in the content of THC and CBD but does alter terpene quality slightly [49]. The amount of gamma radiation used is calibrated to be sufficient to cause enough DNA damage such that no cells remain viable.…”

Section: Indoor Cultivation and Storage Of Cannabis Are Propitious Tomentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific Prospects for Cannabis-Microbiome Research to Ensure Quality and Safety of Products

et al. 2020

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Cannabis legalization has occurred in several countries worldwide. Along with steadily growing research in Cannabis healthcare science, there is an increasing interest for scientific-based knowledge in plant microbiology and food science, with work connecting the plant microbiome and plant health to product quality across the value chain of cannabis. This review paper provides an overview of the state of knowledge and challenges in Cannabis science, and thereby identifies critical risk management and safety issues in order to capitalize on innovations while ensuring product quality control. It highlights scientific gap areas to steer future research, with an emphasis on plant-microbiome sciences committed to using cutting-edge technologies for more efficient Cannabis production and high-quality products intended for recreational, pharmaceutical, and medicinal use.

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Evaluating the Effects of Gamma-Irradiation for Decontamination of Medicinal Cannabis

Cited by 48 publications

References 29 publications

Cannabis contaminants: sources, distribution, human toxicity and pharmacologic effects

Cannabis contaminants: sources, distribution, human toxicity and pharmacologic effects

Flower and foliage-infecting pathogens of marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.) plants

Scientific Prospects for Cannabis-Microbiome Research to Ensure Quality and Safety of Products

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