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Physico-chemical
Físico-químico
Mycotoxins and natural toxins
Analysis of mycotoxins and other natural toxins (tropane and pyrrolizidine alkaloids).
Control of natural toxins for guaranteed food safety
Identification and control of natural toxins in food to minimise health risks and comply with European regulations
Natural toxins are toxic compounds naturally produced by living organisms. Although they do not affect the organism that generates them, they can be harmful to the health of animals and humans when ingested through food. Their chemical diversity means they vary in biological function and degree of toxicity, making their monitoring an essential aspect of food safety. Within our service portfolio, key areas include Mycotoxins, Plant toxins (tropane and pyrrolizidine alkaloids) and other toxins (cereulide toxin). Mycotoxins are non-anthropogenic chemical compounds produced during the secondary metabolism of fungi from genera such as Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium. They are found in unprocessed foods such as cereals, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, coffee, cocoa and spices. In processed foods, since they are not destroyed during processing, they may be present in bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, wine, coffee, cocoa, beer, juices, dairy products, meat products and infant food.
Risks associated with alkaloids
and other toxins
Tropane alkaloids are secondary metabolites found in plants such as Datura. Their seeds are not always easily removed from cereals such as sorghum, millet or buckwheat, which implies a risk of contamination in derived food products.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are also secondary defence metabolites in plants. They can account for up to 19% of the plant’s dry weight and cause varying degrees of liver damage, from necrosis to veno-occlusive disease. In addition, the IARC classifies them as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B).
Cereulide toxin, produced by Bacillus cereus, represents another food safety risk. It is heat-stable, is not destroyed by heat, and accumulates during the stationary phase of bacterial growth. Its ingestion causes emetic intoxication, characterised by acute nausea and vomiting.
European legislation regulates the presence of mycotoxins, alkaloids and bacterial toxins, making their control essential to ensure both consumer health and regulatory compliance.
At AINIA, we add value
- We analyse a wide variety of products, adapting to the matrices of interest for each service: plant-based products (cereals, nuts, spices, etc.), animal-based products (offal, muscle, eggs, milk, etc.), food additives, food supplements, extracts, Pharmacopoeia samples, feed, and more.
- In the field of mycotoxins, our analytical methods include both regulated substances and other non-regulated compounds of interest, such as deoxynivalenol metabolites. These include the following parameters:
- Mycotoxins: Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2; Ochratoxin A; Fumonisins B1 and B2; Deoxynivalenol and its metabolites (3-Acetyl-DON / 15-Acetyl-DON); Zearalenone; HT-2 and T-2 toxins; and Nivalenol
- Plant toxins:
- Tropane alkaloids
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (we analyse the 35 pyrrolizidine alkaloids referred to in the legislation, including the 14 additional ones)
- Other toxins such as cereulide (a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus)
- Accredited to carry out the following analytical tests:
- Aflatoxins B1, G1, B2 and G2 by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (LC-FLD) in liver and muscle, nuts, cereals, flours and derived products, spices, dried fruits, foods made from nuts, chocolate and chocolate-based products
- Ochratoxin A by LC-FLD in cured meat products, coffee, cereals, flours and derived products, spices, must, raisins and wine
- The laboratory has the equipment required to carry out sample preparation in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 401/2006, which requires the homogenisation of large sample volumes (≥10 kg).
- We develop and validate methods for the determination of toxins in complex matrices or products, following the specifications of the European Pharmacopoeia or our clients’ specific requirements.
- We develop multi-residue analytical methods in order to optimise analysis time and reduce costs, which would otherwise increase if several individual methods had to be used.
- The laboratory has the equipment required to carry out sample preparation in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 401/2006, which requires the homogenisation of large sample volumes (≥10 kg).
- We develop and validate methods for the determination of toxins in complex matrices or products, following the specifications of the European Pharmacopoeia or our clients’ specific requirements.
- We develop multi-residue analytical methods in order to optimise analysis time and reduce costs, which would otherwise increase if several individual methods had to be used.
Check accreditation at: ENAC accreditations – AINIA laboratories
Mycotoxins and other toxins
Our solutions include:
- Advice on selecting the substances and matrices to be monitored, or on optimising sampling frequency to achieve the best possible cost-benefit ratio
- Advice on or implementation of sampling in accordance with the standards set by regulations for official control analysis in food products
- Support in sample logistics management to ensure appropriate collection, handling, transport and reception conditions
- Carrying out analyses using the most appropriate techniques, combining high reliability criteria with costs and turnaround times adapted to our clients’ needs
- Issuing results through secure and accessible platforms based on modern information and communication technologies
- Advice for correct interpretation of the results obtained
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Begoña Company
Head of Chromatography Laboratory
