Lab Testing

How we test

After having tried different Kratom specialized testing laboratories we recognized that test results differ strongly between certain laboratories. This can occur due to slightly inaccurate testing processes.

We sent samples from the same batch to different labs and decided on the lab that delivered steady results. Unfortunately, the other labs had higher results for the alkaloid contents but for us it is more important to have exact test results, which our customers can rely on, rather than just going for a potential high result.

Potency

Knowing how potent a Kratom batch is might be one of the most interesting information for a Kratom user. Also, to categorize different product qualities and to apply a fair pricing strategy, the information about alkaloid contents is crucial.

We test for Kratom’s primary alkaloid Mitragynine as well as Paynantheine, Speciogynine, Isorhynchophylline, Mitraphylline, Speciociliatine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine. It is important to note that 7-Hydroxymitragynine does not occur naturally in the Kratom plant, but is formed by fermentation.

The usual range in raw plant material of Kratom is between 0,5%-1,5% Mitragynine. Our bulk Kratom mostly has Mitragynine contents between 1,3% and 1,8%. Kratom powder with a Mitragynine content higher than 1,8% is rare to find. Most vendors who make these claims use low-quality laboratories or could be untruthful.

Heavy Metals

The basic heavy metals that we have our Kratom tested for are:

Arsenic (AS)
Cadmium (Cd)
Lead (Pb)
Mercury (Hg)

Products can only be offered to our customers if all tested heavy metals are within the quantitation limit.

Microbiological screening

By running this test different possible microbiological contaminations are checked. In detail we test for:

Salmonella
Listeria monocytogenes
Yeasts and Molds
Coliform bacteria
E. coli Bacteria

Especially Salmonella are a serious risk for Kratom users and should absolutely be tested. In 2018 there was a recall in 41 US-States after 199 cases of salmonellosis were linked to the consumption of Kratom products. By using a Polymerase Chain Reaction to detect Salmonella in our Kratom products we make sure that it detects a contamination even if there is just 1 Salmonella cell in the sample that is tested. In this case the whole batch is considered unqualified for sale and is discarded.

It is important to choose the right laboratory to have the most accurate results

There are numerous points of error that can occur in any analysis. Common ones include weighing errors, dilution errors, instrument setup errors and calculation errors. There are also numerous alkaloid compounds that can co-elute with mitragynine especially as an HPLC column degrades. Differences in mobile phase preparation can also significantly affect the separation. This could also be caused by standard degradation.

Therefore, it is important to choose the right laboratory to have the most accurate results and not the highest alkaloid content since there are peaks that could mix up different alkaloids as one.

Our trusted laboratory has taken steps to ensure their instruments remain clean and the separation remains consistent from run to run.

Our trusted laboratory uses the same quality system for the assay, as they use all their ISO certified methods in order to guarantee accurate results. This includes (but is not limited to) calibration/maintenance of equipment, method controls, and documentation/review/retention of all raw data.

The matrix of alkaloids is very complex, so without a good HPLC separation you can have co-eluting peaks that could be mistakenly labeled as Mitragynine or 7-Hydroxymitragynine. There are also a number of peaks near the Mitragynine peak that can get labeled in with it resulting in a high bias (Paynantheine is the big one).

Our trusted laboratory has optimized their separation to remove this peak from their calculation of mitragynine. In addition, this analysis yields some long-term memory effects on the HPLC system that reduces the resolving power over time. It can also affect standard response negatively which will increase sample concentrations.

The lab we are working with has taken steps to ensure their instruments remain clean and the separation remains consistent from run to run. Also, they monitor their standard response from run to run.

The laboratory performs all mitragynine analysis according to ISO

They record all data related to standard preparation, sample preparation, calculations, etc. Their calculation spreadsheets are locked in order to prevent mistakes and this spreadsheet automatically transfers results to their reporting software to minimize transcription errors.

They have a control sample analyzed with each run as well as standard brackets to ensure the calibration remains consistent throughout the analysis. All manual transcriptions are checked by a second analyst.

How we test

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