Lab testing · COA · Brand compare
How to read a Certificate of Analysis.
Direct answer
A COA is a third-party lab report listing mitragynine %, 7-OH %, heavy metals, microbiology, and pesticide residues for a specific batch. Reputable vendors publish COAs; AKA-GMP certification makes COA publication a requirement.
What to check on a kratom COA
Mitragynine percentage
Expect 1–2% for quality leaf. Higher is extract, not leaf. Below 0.5% is weak or old product.
7-hydroxymitragynine percentage
Should be < 0.02% for leaf kratom. Higher means oxidation, extended drying, or the product is 7-OH concentrate.
Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury)
Must be below USP/FDA limits for dietary supplements. Lead < 10 µg/day, arsenic < 15 µg/day.
Microbiology (aerobic, yeast, mold, salmonella, E. coli, pathogens)
Aerobic count < 10⁷ CFU/g. No salmonella or E. coli in 10g. No coliforms.
Pesticides and solvents
ISO-level testing for glyphosate, chlorpyrifos, and residual solvents for extracts. All should be non-detect.
Identity (species confirmation)
DNA or TLC confirming Mitragyna speciosa — not adulterated with other Mitragyna species or fillers.
Brand comparison
| Brand | AKA-GMP Certified | Contains 7-OH | Origin | Primary channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPMS | No | No | USA (Indonesia-sourced leaf) | Smoke shops |
| MIT 45 | No | No | USA | Smoke shops |
| Club 13 | Yes | No | USA | Smoke shops |
| Earth Kratom | Yes | No | USA | Smoke shops |
| Super Speciosa | Yes | No | USA | Direct-to-consumer online |
| Whole Herbs | Yes | No | USA | Smoke shops |
| Hydroxie | No | Yes | USA | Smoke shops |
FAQ
What is a COA?
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a document from a third-party lab listing the chemical composition of a batch — mitragynine %, 7-OH %, heavy metals, microbial contamination, and pesticide residues. Reputable kratom vendors publish COAs for every batch.
What does AKA-GMP certification mean?
The American Kratom Association operates a voluntary Good Manufacturing Practices program. Certified vendors agree to third-party testing, batch-level COAs, facility audits, and labeling standards. Not a government certification — it is industry self-regulation.
How do I read a kratom lab report?
Look for: (1) a recent date (within 6–12 months), (2) third-party lab letterhead (not the brand), (3) mitragynine % between 1–2% for leaf, (4) 7-OH under 0.02%, (5) passing heavy metals and microbial tests, (6) the specific batch number matches your product.
Should I trust COAs from the vendor?
Third-party COAs from ISO-accredited labs are trustworthy if the lab letterhead appears on the PDF and the batch number is verifiable. Self-test results from the vendor directly should be treated with more skepticism — they may be cherry-picked.