Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness of gamma irradiation in eliminating microbial contamination in cannabis and assess the specific risks for immunocompromised users, including potential health impacts.

Key Findings:

• Gamma irradiation reduced overall microbial load but did not achieve complete sterilization, posing risks particularly for immunocompromised users.
• Viable spores from mycotoxigenic fungi and residual mycotoxins were detected in irradiated samples.
• Culture-based testing showed persistence of fungi like Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium after irradiation.
• Molecular analyses indicated that mycotoxin-related genes remained detectable post-treatment.
• ELISA alone may lack sensitivity to detect trace residues, highlighting the need for combined testing methods.

Interpretation:

The findings suggest that current sterilization practices may underestimate contamination risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as immunocompromised individuals.

Limitations:

• ELISA and mass spectrometry may not be sensitive enough when used in isolation, potentially missing other contamination types.
• The study primarily focused on specific contamination types and may not encompass all potential risks, such as other pathogens.

Conclusion:

Preventing contamination during cultivation and processing is crucial for public health, and stricter safety standards for medicinal cannabis are recommended to protect vulnerable populations.