Antimicrobial Activity of Cannabis Extraction Products and Terpenes against Foodborne Pathogens And Use of Electrochemically Activated (ECA) Water for Control of Indoor Mold in a Cannabis Production Facility

Abstract

Cannabis has been in the news a lot lately and food industries are coming up with innovative ideas every day to use cannabis in their products. To name a few new food and beverage products which have incorporated cannabis for flavor or medicinal purposes are beers, chocolates, cookies, and other confections. The market for the use of cannabis in food products is estimated to greatly increase in the coming years, with scientific websites and newsletters suggesting that cannabis is one of the hot new flavors. It is common for people to associate cannabis with marijuana, but Cannabis is a genus of plants under which both marijuana and hemp are classified. With the increasing demand for hemp and marijuana products, it is essential to understand the primary difference between these two plants. Hemp plants are also known as Cannabis, which consists of a higher percentage of Cannabidiol (CBD), and less than 0.3% of Delta 9 – Tetra Hydro Cannabinoid (THC).By definition, Cannabis sativa plants that produce less than 0.3% in dry weight of delta-9- – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are classified as hemp. Hemp plants are also known for producing larger amounts of cannabidiol (CBD). Hemp is grown nationwide for its fiber, seed, and flower. In contrast, Cannabis sativa plants that produce a higher percentage of THC versus CBD are often referred to as marijuana. This study examined Cannabis-derived products (with varying percentages of THC and CBD) for their antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium. E. faecium is a known surrogate for Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria innocua. Products tested included a CBD extract, a 99% pure CBD isolate from Minnesota-grown hemp, Heather vaporizer oil (THC = CBD), Cobalt vaporizer oil (THC < CBD), and Tangerine vaporizer oil(THC > CBD). All products used in this study were prepared by or purchased through Leafline Labs, LLC. Electrochemically Activated (ECA) Water is approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a cleaner and sanitizer for use in the food industry. ECA water has been adapted in various fields and is considered a non-thermal treatment against microbes. It is a highly efficient disinfectant and poses minimal impact on the environment and on the user’s health (Su et al. 2007; Huang et al. 2008; Hricova et al. 2008). A study was conducted to understand the impact of ECA water on mold spores in the air and on other applications at the Leafline Labs cannabis production facility. Electrochemically Activated (ECA) Water is approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a cleaner and sanitizer for use in the food industry. ECA water has been adapted in various fields and is considered a non-thermal treatment against microbes. It is a highly efficient disinfectant and poses minimal impact on the environment and on the user’s health (Su et al., 2007; Huang et al., 2008; Hricova et al., 2008). A study was conducted to understand the impact of ECA water on mold spores in the air and on other applications at the Leafline Labs cannabis production facility.