Mycotoxin and Microbial Contamination

Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by molds, mildew, mushrooms and other fungi that can result in illness. Molds tend to grow in organic-based mediums such as food. These can be particularly dangerous if the spores are inhaled or ingested. Fungi commonly grows where surfaces remain damp, especially molds and mildew because their spores are ubiquitous in air. To understand the risk of mold growth within your product, it is important to consider the amount of free water within the stored product. With the growing trend of natural, plant-based supplements, the risk of mycotoxin exposure is more prevalent.

In addition to the risk of mycotoxin exposure through fungal contamination, bacterial growth is also a concern in your products. Many individuals are familiar with common bacterial contaminations, which have, at times, resulted in large product recalls, such as E. coli and Salmonella. These recalls can not only be costly but can damage a company’s reputation. At One Bond Laboratories, we use RT-qPCR (real-time, quantitative polymerase chain reaction). This state-of-the-art technology allows us to rapidly quantify targeted bacterial contaminations.

Typically, it takes days to plate samples and determine if bacteria are present, and even longer to conclude what specific strain is present. Using qPCR, we target the specific bacterium of interest and, in a few hours, confirm whether an issue may be present. Leveraging this technology will bring more confidence to your brand and reduce time to market with fast, reliable results.