Testing Cannabis Flower For Yeast And Mold In Just 8 Hours Now Possible With This New Assay

Arizona-based microarray technology PathogenDx launched its improved rapid semi-quantification assay, QuantX Fungal, which has received an AOAC Performance Tested Methods (PTM) SM Certificate to semi-quantify fungal species in total yeast and mold (TYM) for cannabis flower. Quantx Fungal joins the company's comprehensive suite of cannabis testing technologies, including Quantx Bacterial and Detectx Combined, bringing the latest assays onto PathogenDx's automated sample preparation system, Octa AutoPrep Station (Octa), and increasing testing throughput, and improving operational and cost efficiencies for testing labs.

See Also: EXCLUSIVE - PathogenDx's Cannabis Testing Technology Certified To Detect Bacterial & Fungal Species

Utilizing a simple, one-step end-point PCR format with automated sample preparation, QuantX Fungal offers faster results compared to traditional tests, delivering in eight hours, instead of the standard 72 to 120 hours using growth-based platforms. With just one sample - which can be prepared manually or through PathogenDx's easy-to-use Octa platform - labs can now run every test under PathogenDx's catalog in tandem. This significantly simplifies lab workflow, streamlines the number of different platforms being utilized down to one, and saves lab technicians hands-on time - especially those in states that require both detection of pathogen species and quantitation.

"We are proud to launch the new, AOAC-certified version of QuantX Fungal, the only test in the market currently providing semi-quantitative analysis of total yeast, mold, and fungal species detection," stated PathogenDx co-founder and CEO, Milan Patel. "With this launch, we are not just reducing the potential for manual error - we are bringing the cannabis sector closer to the level of efficacy and standardization required of labs in mainstream industries. We are delivering unrivaled analytical ease for labs and dramatically simplifying quantification for multistate operators, ensuring that regardless of the regulatory differences, labs can meet every state's testing and compliance requirements."

With the dynamic range extended from 1,000 to 100,000 CFU/gram, and triplicate testing of yeast, mold, and fungal species all in one test, QuantX Fungal quantifies the total yeast and mold responsible for the vast majority of fungal outbreaks. In addition, Quantx-Fungal has a unique built-in capability of discriminating which twelve (12) different cannabis fungal species - Candida Albicans, Golovinomyces, Botrytis, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Saccharomyces Alternaria, and five specific species of Aspergillus (A. fumigatus, A.flavus, A.niger, and A. terreus, A. Nidulans).

Photo: Courtesy of Sandy Millar via Unsplash