Use of X-ray irradiation for inactivation of Aspergillus in cannabis flower.

California cannabis regulations require testing for four pathogenic species of Aspergillus-A. niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus and A. terreus in cannabis flower and cannabis inhalable products. These four pathogenic species of Aspergillus are important human pathogens and their presence in cannabis flower and cannabis products may pose a threat to human health. In this study, we examined the potential of X-ray irradiation for inactivation of cannabis flower contaminated with any of the four pathogenic species of Aspergillus. We determined that X-ray irradiation at a dose of 2.5 kGy is capable of rendering Aspergillus cells non-viable at low (102 spores/g dried flower), medium (103 spores/g dried flower) and high (104 spores/g dried flower) levels of inoculation. We also showed that X-ray treatment of cannabis flower did not significantly alter the cannabinoid or the terpene profiles of the flower samples. Therefore, X-ray irradiation may be a feasible method for Aspergillus decontamination of cannabis flower. More work is required to determine the consumer safety of irradiated cannabis flower and cannabis products.

Major Constituents of Cannabis Vape Oil Liquid, Vapor and Aerosol in California Vape Oil Cartridge Samples.

During the E-cigarette or Vaping product use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) outbreak of August 2019 to February 2020, the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Laboratory Branch received numerous cannabis vape oil cartridge investigation samples from throughout the state. Many of these products were directly linked to patients; others were collected as part of investigations. We determined the major ingredients and additives in twelve unused cannabis vape oil cartridge samples obtained before (n = 2) and during the EVALI outbreak (n = 10) in California from September 2018 to December 2019. We tested for major constituents in vape oil liquid, vape oil vapor, and vape oil aerosol phases. A nontargeted Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry direct injection screening method was developed for vape oils, a headspace heating module used for vape oil vapors and a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) vaping rig for aerosols generated by vaping. We have identified more than 100 terpenes and natural extracts, 19 cannabinoids, and other potential toxic additives such as Vitamin E Acetate, Polyethylene Glycols, and Medium Chain Triglycerides. We determined more terpenes and minor cannabinoids can be produced via vaporizing and aerosolizing the vape oil. Delta9-THC and potential toxic additives were found at lower levels in the vapor and aerosol than in the vape liquid.

Identification of Erectile Dysfunction Drugs in Dietary Supplements by Liquid Chromatography Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry.

With the rise in consumption of dietary supplements for various ailments such as erectile dysfunction (ED), there is concern that these supplements may contain illegally added phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitor and its analogs. HPLC or LC is a general separation method, and MS is a detection technique, together LC/MS/MS technology provides the mass spectral confirmation in identifying sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil and their analogs. In our present study, a sample extraction technique with 1:1 acetonitrile: water solvents and sonication was used for screening, then identification was performed using an LC coupled with Velos Pro linear ion trap mass spectrometry. This was a simple and reliable method for a variety of matrices of dietary supplements and pharmaceutical formulations in tablet, capsule or liquid form. The run time is only 6.5 min, allowing for a quick screening and identification of all of analytes of ED drugs using full scan and data-dependent scan MS/MS, except for tadalafil and aminotadalafil (MS/MS/MS). To conclude this study, Sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and other 16 analogs in dietary supplements could be quickly screened and identified by HPLC coupled with ion trap MS using data dependent scanning function. The main method using the short column is very rapid, and saves a lot of running time and solvents, and the identification is further confirmed by MS/MS information. The current study develops and validates a quick and reliable method to screen for ED drugs.

Severe Lung Injury Associated With Use of e-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products-California, 2019.

Importance: Since August 2019, more than 2700 patients have been hospitalized with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) across the United States. This report describes the outbreak in California, a state with one of the highest case counts and with a legal adult-use (recreational) cannabis market. Objective: To present clinical characteristics and vaping product exposures of patients with EVALI in California. Design, Setting, and Participants: Case series describing epidemiologic and laboratory data from 160 hospitalized patients with EVALI reported to the California Department of Public Health by local health departments, who received reports from treating clinicians, from August 7 through November 8, 2019. Exposures: Standardized patient interviews were conducted to assess vaping products used, frequency of use, and method of product acquisition. Vaping products provided by a subset of patients were tested for active ingredients and other substances. Main Outcomes and Measures: Demographic and clinical characteristics, level of care, and outcomes of hospitalization were obtained from medical record review. Results: Among 160 patients with EVALI, 99 (62%) were male, and the median age was 27 years (range, 14-70 years). Of 156 patients with data available, 71 (46%) were admitted to an intensive care unit, and 46 (29%) required mechanical ventilation. Four in-hospital deaths occurred. Of 86 patients interviewed, 71 (83%) reported vaping tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing products, 36 (43%) cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products, and 39 (47%) nicotine-containing products. Sixty-five of 87 (75%) THC-containing products were reported as obtained from informal sources, such as friends, acquaintances, or unlicensed retailers. Of 87 vaping products tested from 24 patients, 49 (56%) contained THC. Vitamin E or vitamin E acetate was found in 41 (84%) of the THC-containing products and no nicotine products. Conclusions and Relevance: Patients' clinical outcomes and vaping behaviors, including predominant use of THC-containing products from informal sources, are similar to those reported by other states, despite California's legal recreational cannabis market. While most THC products tested contained vitamin E or vitamin E acetate, other underlying cause(s) of injury remain possible. The California Department of Public Health recommends that individuals refrain from using any vaping or e-cigarette products, particularly THC-containing products from informal sources, while this investigation is ongoing.

Simultaneous determination of bisphenol A, aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, and patulin in food matrices by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: Bisphenol A has been widely used in plastic containers and this has raised safety concerns for fetuses, infants, and young children. Aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, and patulin are among the most toxic regulated mycotoxins found as contaminants in agricultural crops and animal products. To facilitate the analysis of these chemicals for regulatory purposes, we have developed an analytical method enabling their simultaneous detection in beverages and food products. METHODS: Analytes were extracted from food matrices such as cereal, peanut butter, cereal-based baby formula and fruit juices, and enriched by solid-phase extraction (SPE). Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry using negative electrospray ionization with selected reaction monitoring, and matrix-matched external calibration was used for quantitation. RESULTS: The method was validated by analysis of five types of food and beverage samples fortified with different levels of these analytes. The SPE clean-up and matrix-matched external calibration were critical for the success of this method. The quantitation limits for these analytes ranged from 0.08 to 2.0 ppb, and the overall recoveries of the analytical method were within 66 to 127%. CONCLUSIONS: This quantitative method provided several advantages including minimal sample pretreatment, rapid and simultaneous analyte determination, high sensitivity and confirmatory identification. This method could be applied to a variety of food and beverages matrices where bisphenol A and these three mycotoxins may be present in suspect food products. Published 2013. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.