EN 23294 Multi-Mycotoxin Profiling in Nutritional Additives

The CEN standard EN 23294 outlines a comprehensive method for the quantitative and qualitative profiling of multiple mycotoxins in nutritional additives. This service is critical for ensuring food safety, particularly within the feed industry, where contamination with mycotoxins can have severe health implications for animals.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and others. They are found in various agricultural products, including grains used in feed production. The presence of mycotoxins can lead to a range of health issues in livestock, affecting growth performance, feed efficiency, and even causing fatalities.

The standard covers the analysis of 17 key mycotoxins that have been identified as potentially harmful when present at certain levels in feed products. These include aflatoxins (AFB₁, AFG₂, AFM₁, AFG₃), fumonisins, trichothecenes (DON, NIV, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin), zearalenone, and others. The aim is to provide a detailed profile that helps in understanding the contamination levels and risks associated with these additives.

The testing process involves several steps, starting from sample preparation, extraction, concentration, and purification of mycotoxins. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is typically used for accurate quantification and identification. This ensures that all target mycotoxins are detected at the lowest possible levels.

Our laboratory adheres strictly to EN 23294, ensuring that results are reliable and can be trusted by quality managers, compliance officers, R&D engineers, and procurement teams. The service is essential for maintaining high standards of animal nutrition and safety in the feed industry.

Applied Standards

Standard Number	Title	Description
EN 23294:2018	Multimycotoxin Profiling in Nutritional Additives by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)	This standard specifies the procedure for the simultaneous determination of multiple mycotoxins in nutritional additives. It covers 17 specific mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, and zearalenone.

Scope and Methodology

The scope of this service is to provide a detailed quantitative analysis of multiple mycotoxins present in nutritional additives used in the feed industry. The methodology involves several key steps:

Sample Collection and Preparation: Samples are collected from various sources, including raw materials, finished feeds, and animal diets. Proper sampling is crucial to ensure representative results.
Extraction and Concentration: Mycotoxins are extracted using appropriate solvents followed by concentration techniques to enhance sensitivity of detection.
Purification and Cleanup: The extracts undergo a series of purification steps to remove interfering compounds, ensuring clean samples for analysis.
Analytical Procedure: Samples are analyzed using LC-MS/MS. This involves injecting the purified extracts into an HPLC system coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer for precise identification and quantification.

The results provide a comprehensive profile of all target mycotoxins, indicating their presence and concentration levels. Compliance with this standard is essential to ensure that nutritional additives meet regulatory requirements and do not pose health risks to animals.

Why Choose This Test

Comprehensive detection of 17 mycotoxins as specified in EN 23294.
High sensitivity and specificity, ensuring accurate quantification even at trace levels.
Use of cutting-edge LC-MS/MS technology for precise analysis.
Compliance with international standards recognized globally.
Rapid turnaround times to support timely decision-making.
Auditable reports that meet regulatory and compliance needs.
Expert technical support from our experienced staff.

The multi-mycotoxin profiling service is essential for maintaining food safety and ensuring the quality of nutritional additives in feed production. It helps identify potential contamination early, allowing for corrective actions to be taken promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is multi-mycotoxin profiling?

Multi-mycotoxin profiling involves the simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple mycotoxins in a sample. This comprehensive approach provides a detailed overview of contamination levels, facilitating better risk management.

Why is EN 23294 important?

EN 23294 ensures that mycotoxin testing in nutritional additives meets stringent European standards, providing reliable and consistent results.

What equipment is used for this test?

The primary equipment includes high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), ensuring accurate and precise analysis.

How long does the testing take?

Typically, results are available within 5-7 business days from receipt of the sample. Turnaround times may vary based on sample complexity and volume.

Is this test mandatory?

While not legally mandatory, compliance with EN 23294 is advisable to ensure product safety and meet customer expectations.

What are the health implications of mycotoxin contamination in feed additives?

Mycotoxins can cause various health issues in livestock, including reduced growth rates, compromised immune function, and in severe cases, fatalities. Regular testing helps mitigate these risks.

What documentation is provided with the test results?

Comprehensive reports are provided, including detailed profiles of mycotoxins detected and their concentrations. These reports are designed to be easily understood by all stakeholders involved.

Can you help with sample collection?

Yes, we offer sample collection services as part of our comprehensive testing package. Our experts ensure that samples are collected in a manner consistent with best practices.