Nitrate and nitrite in food

UPLC-MS/MS analysis for determining the melatonin content in dietary supplements. According to Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, melatonin supplements may be marketed with the following health claims: "Melatonin contributes to the alleviation of subjective feelings of jet lag." The claim can be used if the product contains at least 0.5 mg of melatonin per portion., "Melatonin contributes to the reduction of time taken to fall asleep." The claim can be used if the product contains at least 1 mg of melatonin per portion..

Determination of starch in food with a spectrophotometric method.

Determination of microplastics present in food samples using Raman or FTIR microspectroscopy. The service with µRaman is accredited for homogeneous food matrices (e.g., honey, salt, drinks). The same price applies to analysis with µFTIR. It is usually best to let the laboratory decide the most suitable method for the specific sample type. The analysis report will specify different types of polymers by size (e.g., 1–50 µm, 50–100 µm, 100–500 µm, >500 µm).

Determination of vitamin B7 (biotin) in food with an HPLC method. According to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, the biotin content of food products may be included in the nutrition declaration if it is present in significant amounts. The daily reference intake for biotin is 50 µg, and biotin content can be declared if the product contains at least: 7.5 µg/100 g or 100 ml in products other than beverages (15% of reference intake), 3.75 µg/100 ml in beverages (7.5% of reference intake), 7.5 µg per portion if the package contains a single portion (15% of reference intake). Foods that contain at least the above amounts of biotin can be labeled with the nutrition claim "Source of biotin." Additional nutrition and health claims related to vitamin B7 can be applied in accordance with Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EU) No 432/2012.

Benzoic and sorbic acids can be used as preservatives in various foods. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 regulates the foods in which benzoic and sorbic acid can be used as additives and specifies the maximum levels allowed. This HPLC-UV method can be used to quantify amounts of benzoic and sorbic acids or corresponding sodium and potassium salts.

The peroxide value (PV) measures the amount of oxygen chemically bound to oil or fat as peroxides, particularly hydroperoxides, as a result of autoxidation reactions. It is an important quality parameter in food and feed production, as a high peroxide value is linked to several detrimental effects: Change in chemical and physical properties (such as smoking point and viscosity), Compromised sensory quality (rancid odor and flavor), Potential harm to human and animal health. Autoxidation reactions may occur during the manufacturing, processing, storage, and use of fats and oils. Risk factors include elevated temperatures and exposure to light, making products like deep-frying oil particularly susceptible to elevated peroxide levels. This peroxide value analysis is suitable for animal and vegetable fats and oils, fatty acids, and their mixtures. The method is not suitable for milk fats and lecithin.

Determination of free or total carnitine in food with an HPLC-MS method based on AOAC 2015.10. Carnitine is an essential nutrient that plays a role in energy metabolism. Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 lists carnitine as a substance that can be added to products such as infant formula and baby foods. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 further mandates that carnitine content must be included in the nutrition declaration of infant formula.

Determination of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) with polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in food products. The results are reported as the concentrations of groups of MOSH/POSH and MOAH, with grouping based on the number of carbon atoms in the substances. The concern with mineral oils in food is mainly focused on MOAH, which are possibly genotoxic carcinogens. In a 2022 summary report, the EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF Committee) set the following maximum concentrations for the sum of MOAH: 0.5 mg/kg in dry foods with a low fat/oil content (≤ 4% fat/oil), 1 mg/kg in foods with a higher fat/oil content (> 4% fat/oil), 2 mg/kg in fats/oils. EU member states have agreed to withdraw and, if necessary, recall products from the market when MOAH levels exceed the above limits. Measurlabs is included in the European Reference Laboratory for Processing Contaminants (EURL-PC) list of laboratories capable of detecting MOAH at levels consistent with current regulatory limits. The list can be requested by sending an email to eurl-pc@food.dtu.dk with "GET MOAH LAB LIST" in the subject line.

This metal screening analysis includes the semi-quantitative determination of 70 elements. The method can be used, for example, to determine the background concentrations of metals in environmental samples or to study the elemental distribution of unknown samples. Screening is also often performed to assess which metals should be analyzed by a quantitative method. The measurement is performed using a high-resolution ICP-MS technique (ICP-SFMS), which can identify very low elemental concentrations. A semi-quantitative determination of the following elements is included: Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, Ir, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr. However, please note that some elements may not be determinable due to matrix interference. During this semi-quantitative analysis, the instrument is calibrated for about 30 elements. The rest of the analytes are quantified using sensitivity factors for calibrated elements with similar mass and first ionization potential, considering isotope abundances. Quantitative analysis is also available at an additional price. During this analysis, all elements are calibrated (excluding halogens and Os). Please ask for an offer for this service.

Determination of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in food with an HPLC-MS method. According to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, the daily reference intake for riboflavin is 1.4 mg. Riboflavin content may be included in the nutrition declaration if it is present in food products in at least the following amounts: 210 µg/100 g or 100 ml in products other than beverages (15% of reference intake), 105 µg/100 ml in beverages (7.5% of reference intake), 210 µg per portion if the package contains a single portion (15% of reference intake). Foods and beverages that contain at least the above amounts of riboflavin can be labeled with the nutrition claim "Source of riboflavin." Some of the health claims applicable to such products include the following: "Riboflavin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism", "Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin", "Riboflavin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system", "Riboflavin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue".