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Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by molds. They can have serious acute and chronic effects on the health of humans as well as animals. Mycotoxin analysis of food and feed is therefore necessary and often required by legislation. Modern test kits allow rapid qualitative and quantitative analysis of mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are a major cause of recalls of nuts, dried fruits and spices. Especially two mycotoxins are typically present: Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A. Due to their high prevalence and toxicity, regulatory maximum levels for mycotoxin content in food are in place in many countries. Reliable screening methods are essential for manufacturers in order to comply with regulations and to ensure toxicologically safe products.

Grains and other agricultural products are often contaminated with mycotoxins such as aflatoxin, ochratoxin or DON. When producing cereal-based prepared foods, e.g. Pizza or pasta, the incoming goods should therefore be thoroughly tested for mycotoxins. Reliable screening methods are essential for manufacturers in order to comply with regulations and to ensure toxicologically safe products.

Acids, Sugars, Alcohols and Additives

The quality of fruits and vegetables can be measured directly by sensory methods or indirectly (and more accurately) by chemical analysis. Enzymes offer sensitive and specific methods of quantification for many substances present in fruit and vegetable products. Relevant indicators for the product quality of fruits and vegetables include citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, D-isocitric acid, L-glutamic acid, D-glucose, D-fructose, sucrose, sulfite, SO2 and ethanol.

Our test kits can be used to analyze even complex matrices such as: dried fruits and vegetables (e.g. sultanas, raisins, figs, apricots, plums, dates, peaches, apples, berries) spices, herbs and spice mixtures (e.g. chili powder, nutmeg, paprika powder, black pepper, garlic powder, ginger, curry powder, turmeric or licorice) nuts and nut products (e.g. peanut, almond, brazil nut, hazelnut, cashew, macadamia, pecan nut) and other foodstuffs.

Hygiene Monitoring

The use of fruits and vegetables of poor quality (e.g. A high percentage of rotten fruit), inadequate hygienic conditions during processing as well as technical problems regarding thermal stabilization and aseptic packaging are factors which favor microbial growth. Though nuts have traditionally been considered a microbiologically safe product, recalls of nut products due to Salmonella are not unusual. Since microorganisms may cause foodborne diseases, the monitoring of pathogens and spoilage organisms throughout the whole production chain is crucial to ensure consumer protection and product stability.

Vitamins

Many foods are fortified with vitamins, for example juices, dairy products, baby food, cereals, sweets, tablets and vitamin mixtures. We offer test kits to measure the exact concentration of vitamins in foods. ELISAs and Immunoaffinity columns are available to enable sample extraction for follow through estimation on HPLC or MS. Nowadays food, feed and pharmaceutical products are being fortified with vitamins on a regular level. Analysis is required to comply with legal regulations; to confirm that the declared vitamin content is indeed available in the product and the marketing claims of the producers are justified.

Allergens

Even small amounts of allergens may be dangerous for allergic persons – a single peanut in a bag of almonds may be fatal. Though allergenic ingredients must be labeled in most countries, unintended contamination during storage and production due to carryover is very common. That is why manufacturers should test incoming raw material as well as their final products to ensure correct labeling and to avoid product recalls.

Antibiotics, hormones, anabolic residues, and chemical contaminants

When food producing animals are treated with antibiotics, hormones or anabolics, drug residues remain in the animal’s meat and milk. These residues may bear health risks for consumers. Our product portfolio includes various test systems, such as enzyme immunoassays (ELISAs), lateral flow assays and immunoaffinity columns for the detection of hormones, anabolics, antibiotics and other drug residues in different matrices.

When food producing animals are treated with antibiotics, hormones or anabolics, drug residues remain in the animal’s meat and milk. These residues may bear health risks for consumers. Our product portfolio includes various test systems, such as enzyme immunoassays (ELISAs), lateral flow assays and immunoaffinity columns for the detection of hormones, anabolics, antibiotics and other drug residues in different matrices.