Key takeaways
- Microbial tests include total counts, yeasts, moulds and specific pathogens.
- Other tests cover heavy metals, pesticides and mycotoxins.
- Alcohol helps tinctures resist microbial growth.
- Results should be reported per batch against specifications.
Alongside heavy metals, mushroom products can be tested for microbes and other contaminants. This article explains the main tests.
Microbial testing
- Total viable count: an overall measure of microbes present.
- Yeasts and moulds.
- Specific organisms, such as E. coli and Salmonella, which should be absent.
Other contaminants
- Heavy metals. See Heavy Metals in Mushrooms.
- Pesticide residues, particularly for imported material.
- Mycotoxins, toxins produced by some moulds, relevant to grain-based products.
Tinctures and microbes
The alcohol in a tincture helps prevent microbial growth, which is one reason tinctures keep well. Good hygiene in production still matters. See Ethanol in Mushroom Tinctures.
Reading results
Results should be compared with specifications and reported per batch. See Certificates of Analysis.
Our approach
If you’d like to know what testing covers our tinctures, contact us.