Examination of fungal growth and aflatoxin production on marihuana

Under favorable growth conditions,Aspergillus flavus andA. parasiticus produced aflatoxins on marihuana. Cultures ofA. flavus ATCC 15548 produced both aflat oxin B₁(AFB₁) and G₁(AFG₁). The production of AFG₁ was substantially greater than that of AFB₁. Cultures ofA. flavus NRRL 3251 andA. parasiticus NRRL 2999 produced only AFB₁. All natural flora cultures tested negative for aflatoxins. NoAspergilli sporulations were observed in these cultures. In the cultures inoculated with known toxigenic fungi, the highest mean level for total aflatoxins was 8.7 g/g of medium. Marihuana appears not to yield large quantities of these mycotoxins but sufficient levels are present to be a potential health hazard for both the user and the forensic analyst who is in daily contact with such plant material. Careful processing, storage, and sanitation procedures should be maintained with marihuana. If these conditions are disregarded due to the illicit status of marihuana, the potential for mycotoxin contamination must be considered.