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How to avoid irradiating cannabis and achieve the perfect cure, with #data: an intro to water activity testing.
(the most under-used metric for #cannabis #QA)
(the most under-used metric for #cannabis #QA)
First, why do we irradiate?
Some microbials are sensitive to light in specific wavelengths. The most common used waves for cannabis irradiation are gamma and x-rays.
One problem with irradiation is it doesn't rid cannabis of 100% of current and future microbials.
Some microbials are sensitive to light in specific wavelengths. The most common used waves for cannabis irradiation are gamma and x-rays.
One problem with irradiation is it doesn't rid cannabis of 100% of current and future microbials.
Let's take a step back.
Microbials thrive in samples with high levels of water. This is why a lot of product in dispensaries is bone dry, to avoid the recalls from microbial contamination. But those buds aren't as enjoyable.
There are two distinct ways of measuring water:
Microbials thrive in samples with high levels of water. This is why a lot of product in dispensaries is bone dry, to avoid the recalls from microbial contamination. But those buds aren't as enjoyable.
There are two distinct ways of measuring water:
Moisture (%) & Water Activity (Aw)
In simple terms, Aw is the level of water available to participate in biochemical reactions and microorganism growth.
% is the difference in weight between the actual product and the completely dry product.
In simple terms, Aw is the level of water available to participate in biochemical reactions and microorganism growth.
% is the difference in weight between the actual product and the completely dry product.
Aw is widely used in other industries, including pharma and agriculture, to determine the perishability of products.
Many products are unstable and have a high risk of developing contaminants, which is why antimicrobial preservatives exist. https://www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com/article/29889/the-role-of-water-activity-in-the-microbial-stability-of-non-sterile-pharmaceutical-drug-products/
Many products are unstable and have a high risk of developing contaminants, which is why antimicrobial preservatives exist. https://www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com/article/29889/the-role-of-water-activity-in-the-microbial-stability-of-non-sterile-pharmaceutical-drug-products/
Here's a (oversimplified) chart of the (nonlinear) relationship between Aw and % in cannabis.
The safe zone is 0.55-0.65 Aw:
- Anything below, the final product will be dry.
- Anything above, it's breeding grounds for microbials.
The safe zone is 0.55-0.65 Aw:
- Anything below, the final product will be dry.
- Anything above, it's breeding grounds for microbials.
If the Aw is above 0.65, not only is your brand at risk but also your patient's health.
Mold contamination is a serious risk in cannabis, although its risks are frequently downplayed in the industry.
Dr. Fauci (yes, that one) studied it in 1975:
https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/0003-4819-82-5-682
Mold contamination is a serious risk in cannabis, although its risks are frequently downplayed in the industry.
Dr. Fauci (yes, that one) studied it in 1975:
https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/0003-4819-82-5-682
In cannabis, Aw is used to determine if a product is Safe for Storage and Transport.
It is used to prevent contamination and quality loss, but also to determine the chemical stability of the product and it's shelf life.
With more data comes more optimization opportunities.
It is used to prevent contamination and quality loss, but also to determine the chemical stability of the product and it's shelf life.
With more data comes more optimization opportunities.
<- Too Low | Too High ->
-> Just Right <-
It's up to you to ~ #consistently ~ delight customers and patients with a product that seems like it was grown at home, without the need to irradiate or remediate.
#StopGuessing #BeCertain
It's up to you to ~ #consistently ~ delight customers and patients with a product that seems like it was grown at home, without the need to irradiate or remediate.
#StopGuessing #BeCertain
