Contaminant Testing
Microbiology, Heavy Metals, Pesticides, & Residual Solvents
Need to verify your product is clean?
Botanical and mushroom materials can become contaminated by environmental exposure. Because of this inherent risk, rigorous contaminant testing is critical to ensure product safety and quality before reaching consumers. Contaminant testing is an essential component of meeting GMP requirements, and verifying a clean product.
Our microbiology, heavy metals, pesticides, and residual solvents methods are all included in our ISO 17025 accreditation.
Pesticides
Although pesticides are considered a single category, it takes four separate analyses of different instruments to test all those substances listed in USP 561, including dithiocarbamates & inorganic bromide.
Heavy Metals
Growing plants can pick up contaminants, including arsenic, lead, mercury, & cadmium in the soil and environment. Our capabilities enable us to satisfy USP 561, Prop 65, and other industry limits.
Residual Solvents
Solvent contamination can happen at all stages of the ingredient and/or finished product production cycle. We screen for USP 467 class 1, 2 and 3, residual solvents to ensure the product does not contain these harmful chemicals.
Microbiology
The last thing anyone wants is to make the consumer sick. We screen for Aerobic Plate Count, Yeast and Mold, Enterobacteriaceae, E.coli, Salmonella, Coliforms, & Staphylococcus.
Our Tools & Methods
UPLC-MS/MS
Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) with Electrospray Ionization is used for multi-residue pesticide analysis due to its high selectivity and sensitivity. We developed and optimized a method using this technology for the determination of multiple pesticide residues in various samples matrices prepared by a QuEChERS extraction technique.
APGC-MS/MS
Atmospheric Pressure Gas Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (APGC-MS/MS) is used with QuEChERS extracted samples for multiple residue pesticide analysis in numerous matrix type samples. The APGC source is a ‘soft’ ionization technique with reduced fragmentation, and a high level of matrix tolerance gives the sensitivity and specificity for pesticide residue compliance analysis.
ICP-MS
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is used to determine heavy metals in botanicals and dietary supplements. Heavy metals, which are associated with health risks, can be introduced in botanicals when grown in contaminated soil or during manufacturing processing. Microwave digested samples are analyzed using ICP-MS for trace level analysis of these elemental impurities.
HS-GC-MS/MS
Headspace Gas Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (HS-GC-MS/MS) is used to identify volatile organic compounds used or produced in the preparation of botanical extracts and dietary supplements. A method using HS-GC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS for all Class 1 and Class 2 USP <467> Residual Solvents has been developed for dietary supplement formulations.
The Alkemist Labs Difference
The level of expertise demonstrated by the lab you’ve chosen speaks volumes about your commitment to accurate identity, potency, and purity testing. The correct analytical technique needs to be properly chosen and matched to each individual test sample to help your product meet regulatory requirements.
- Alkemist Labs is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited by A2LA
- Using advanced mass spectrometry equipment and methods
- Contaminants identified in crude botanicals, extracts and finished goods
- Each client has a dedicated account manager ensuring your needs are met
- Our technical team is always accessible to discuss your report