Pyrrolizidine alkaloid content

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are naturally occurring substances produced by various plants as a defense mechanism against insect herbivores. The Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) of EFSA has concluded that there is a possible concern for human health related to exposure to pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

This test package includes the analysis of the following substances:

  • Echimidine, Echimidine-N-oxide,

  • Europine, Europine-N-oxide,

  • Heliotrine, Heliotrine-N-oxide,

  • Intermedine, Intermedine-N-oxide,

  • Lasiocarpine, Lasiocarpine-N-oxide,

  • Lycopsamine, Lycopsamine-N-oxide,

  • Retrorsine, Retrorsine-N-oxide,

  • Senecionine, Senecionine-N-oxide,

  • Seneciphylline, Seneciphylline-N-oxide,

  • Senecivernine, Senecivernine-N-Oxide,

  • Senkirkine

  • Trichodesmine

  • Erucifoline, Erucifoline-N-oxide,

  • Jacobine, Jacobine-N-oxide,

  • Monocrotaline, Monocrotaline-N-oxide,

According to EU regulations, materials that potentially require pyrrolizidine alkaloid testing include:

  • cumin seeds

  • pollen-based food products and supplements

  • dried and liquid herbal infusions and teas

Compliance can be evaluated using Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/2040 as a safety reference.

Suitable sample matrices
Food, feed, supplement products
Required sample quantity
200 g or 400 ml
Typical turnaround time
3 weeks after receiving the samples
Available quality systems
Accredited testing laboratory
Device types

Order this test online

First sample (Excl. VAT):
277 €
Additional samples (Excl. VAT):
217 €per sample
If you have a large number of samples, contact us for a possible discount.

Samples are entered during checkout.

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