HERCULES, CA — Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb) today announced the launch of the iQ-Check Aspergillus Real-Time PCR Kit, a fast and accurate method for detecting four potentially hazardous molds: Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, and A. terreus, in cannabis and cannabis-infused products.
The iQ-Check Aspergillus Real-Time PCR Kit detects Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, and A. terreus in cannabis and cannabis-infused products.Credit: Bio-Rad LaboratoriesA number of US states and other countries have moved to legalize marijuana in recent years, opening the door to new medicinal and recreational markets. Depending on the jurisdiction, companies selling cannabis-derived products may need to comply with pathogen testing to protect consumers from harmful microorganisms, including Aspergillus spp. Inhaling hazardous Aspergillus spores may worsen asthma or lead to aspergillosis, a group of diseases that are particularly dangerous to people with a weakened immune system, damaged lungs or certain allergies.
Some states, including Nevada, Alaska, and California, have implemented obligatory Aspergillus spp. testing of cannabis products to protect consumers. Labs in other states, including Colorado and Massachusetts, have begun performing these tests in anticipation of changing regulations.
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The iQ-Check Aspergillus Kit can simultaneously detect the presence of the four hazardous Aspergillus species. The fast and accurate test uses a simple workflow that includes gene amplification and real-time PCR detection. After enrichment and DNA extraction, the test harnesses the sensitivity and specificity of Bio-Rad’s PCR technology to perform real-time PCR. Bio-Rad’s CFX Manager IDE Software then automatically generates and analyzes the results.
To learn more about the iQ-Check Aspergillus kit, visit bio-rad.com/iqcheck or our Cannabis Application page, bio-rad.com/cannabis.
BIO-RAD is a trademark of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. IQ-CHECK is a trademark of Bio-Rad Europe GmbH in certain jurisdictions.
About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb) is a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of innovative products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. With a focus on quality and customer service for over 65 years, our products advance the discovery process and improve healthcare. Our customers are university and research institutions, hospitals, public health and commercial laboratories, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, as well as applied laboratories that include food safety and environmental quality. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is based in Hercules, California, and has a global network of operations with more than 8,000 employees worldwide. Bio-Rad had revenues exceeding $2.2 billion in 2018. For more information, please visit bio-rad.com.
