Kratom Lab Test: A How To Guide On Reading Them
Kratom lab tests are often included in product descriptions. Some suppliers post test results online, while others emphasize transparency by printing QR codes. When you buy Kratom, it’s important to understand what the lab test results mean. You want to ensure that the lab test results are accurate and that the Kratom product you purchase is safe and potent. Here are the common components to look for in a Kratom lab test, as well as any contaminants that could compromise your safety.
A Guide To Reading And Understanding A Kratom Lab Test
The Kratom industry is unregulated by the FDA, which means that there is no government oversight to ensure that growers and manufacturers comply with health and safety standards and best practices. Sending samples to an independent laboratory for testing reassures consumers of the quality of the Kratom products.
Kratom Lab Test: Check for an Independent, Accredited, Third-Party
To increase the reliability and credibility of laboratory tests, they should be performed by independent third-party laboratories rather than by sellers. The results from a third-party laboratory are not influenced by any seller, and the laboratory has no motive to falsify results. If a seller claims to have an in-house laboratory where they test their Kratom, the results of the laboratory tests may be doubtful.
There is also the possibility that a third-party lab’s independent tests will show poor results, chemical contaminants, or excessive additives, forcing the vendor to throw away thousands of dollars in Kratom. However, third-party lab testing is crucial to ensure the authenticity and potency of the product.
It is important to pay attention to where the test was performed. The lab name should be at the top of the Certificate of Analysis. You can even check on the internet to see if the lab analyzes Kratom products to determine if they are a reputable company. When you see reliable laboratory results, you can tell your Kratom product is from one of the best places to buy Kratom online.
Look at the Strains, Lot Number, and Dates of the Kratom Lab Test Results
Ensure the name of the variety you want to buy matches the one on the lab test results and that there is a lot number next to it.
A generic term like “Kratom powder” indicates that a seller may have tested only one sample from an entire shipment, which contains multiple batches and strains. This means that the shipment could still contain contaminated Kratom that was not tested. They could also have mixed small amounts of different strains in a single sample for laboratory analysis. Although traces of pathogens present in the sample would likely pass the test, the exact batch of contaminated Kratom would not be suitable for sale.
Kratom lab test results should be performed recently and feature the exact date and time of testing. A seller that follows ethical business practices and cares about the safety of their customers should be able to meet their needs. Do not hesitate to contact your seller if you have any questions or doubts.
Examine the List of Pathogens
Most people’s immune systems can tolerate low levels of pathogens, but if the pathogens exceed acceptable limits, the product may be considered unfit for sale.
A Kratom laboratory test should include testing for the following pathogens:
- Coliforms: This type of enterobacteriaceae found in animal intestinal tracts. It typically only comes into contact with Kratom plants through remnants of animal fecal matter. A Kratom sample must have under 10,000 CFUs (colony forming units) per gram.
- E. Coli.: E. Coli can cause severe digestive distress. It should not be detected in less than 10 grams of Kratom.
- Staphylococcus aureus: This bacterium can cause staph infections when in Kratom products. Like E coli, it should not be discovered in 10 grams of Kratom or less.
- Salmonella: An infection with Salmonella causes intense abdominal pain and potential dehydration due to loss of fluids through diarrhea and vomiting. Lab results should not indicate the presence of salmonella in less than 25 grams of Kratom.
- Yeast: Yeast is a fungus, which can produce mold toxins. Yeast in a Kratom sample should have a CFU count of less than 100,000 per gram.
- Mold: People can suffer allergies, poisoning, and other problems from mold spores. Mold must be below the limit of 100,000 per gram.
Check for Heavy Metals
Other potentially harmful substances found in Kratom are heavy metals. Heavy metals can be detected in tiny amounts in Kratom, as they have an unavoidable presence in the soil and water during cultivation and manufacturing.
In higher concentrations, however, these metals can be harmful to your health. There are strict limits on heavy metal content in Kratom products:
- Arsenic: less than 2 Parts Per Million (ppm).
- Cadmium: less than .85 ppm.
- Mercury: less than .41 ppm.
- Lead: less than 1.2 ppm.
Take A Look at the Alkaloid Content
The labs also analyze specific alkaloids present in the Kratom plant. These are active chemical compounds found in the plant’s leaves, roots, stems, and bark. Kratom’s unique and beneficial properties are attributed to two of its essential alkaloids, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Under the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), Kratom products must disclose the amount of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in each package. Check with the KCPA in the state where the seller is located to see if they are in compliance.
You should also check the state’s KCPA permitted 7-hydroxymitragynine levels. Since Kratom powder contains more than just alkaloids, the final results of a lab test will show a significantly lower percentage of 7-hydroxymitragynine than the rest of the phytochemicals in the sample. In Kratom lab tests, the 7-hydroxymitragynine content must be lower than 0.100%.
If the lab results numbers are much higher than the state KCPA permit, you may be dealing with an artificially enhanced product that may pose a health risk to consumers.
Always Look for a High-Quality Kratom Seller
As a Kratom customer, you should know how to interpret lab test results in relation to your Kratom product. The more you know about what you are purchasing, the better your chances are of deciding whether a product is safe.
When it comes to Kratom products, remember that a seller who is transparent about their lab results is more likely to be trustworthy and reliable because they care about their customers.
