Physicochemical analysis
Nutritional labeling
Chemical feed analysis combined with monitoring and result interpretation are necessary conditions in order to continuously improve nutrition of farm animals and their derivatives.
Our laboratory provides analysis and inspection of animal feed and can be a turning point in the effort to improve the quality of livestock products.
| Parameter | Method |
|---|---|
| Moisture | Food and Beverage Code C1 |
| Ash | Food and Beverage Code C2 |
| Total Fat | Reg. 152/20009 |
| Total nitrogen | ISO 1871 |
| Protein | Nx6.25 |
| Carbohydrates | Calculation |
| Energy | Calculation |
| Crude fiber (cellulose) | Food and Beverage Code C5 |
Mycotoxins
Certain fungal species produce toxins called mycotoxins, which in high concentrations in food and feed can cause poisoning and other problems.
Harmful effects of a mycotoxin in animal health is determined by the contamination level and many other factors such as the degree of its participation in the final feed, time and duration of administration, sex, age and overall animal health state.
Maximum mycotoxins limits in feed are currently uder legislation 2002/32 / EC as amended and in force.
| Parameter | Method |
|---|---|
| Aflatoxins Β1, Β2, G1, G2 | AOAC 991.31 |
| Ochratoxin Α | HPLC |
| Deoxynivalenol (DON) | ELISA |
| Zearalenone (ZON) | ELIZA |
Heavy Metals
Long term use of preparations for supplementary feeding of animals aiming specific nutritional purposes, with a high concentration of minerals, inevitably contain traces of arsenic, cadmium or lead that exceed the established maximum limits for individual heavy metals complementary feed.
The boundaries of these harmful elements presented in Directive 2002/32 / EC, as amended and in force.
| Parameter | Method |
|---|---|
| Cadmium | GF-AAS |
| Mercury | Hydride-AAS |
| Lead | GF-AAS |
| Arsenic | Hydride-AAS |
| Nitrites | |
| more |
Homogeneity & Transfection Control
According to Reg. 183/2005 and JMD 340668/2008, feed production facilities are required, among other analyzes, to include annual testing of feed mixers to ensure the homogeneity of their products.
Homogeneity: When including an additive/premix into a premix/compound uniform distribution must be achieved, so that the product meets the criteria specified by the manufacturer.
Homogeneity test is performed using a suitable tracer first at the production stage, then the chemical identification stage, both in a specific number of samples of the final mixture producing final results suitable for statistical processing.
Most common compounds used for this purpose are inorganic salts of sodium, potassium or cobalt, amino acids, and other micronutrients.
Each tracer provides advantages and disadvantages depending on separate laboratory methods and different type of feed.
Specific protocol must be kept for every analysis and besides the homogeneity control, transfection between different production batches is controlled.
Transfection : Ministry of Reconstruction of Production, Environment & Energy & Food (former Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food)/ General Directorate Animal Production, presence of additives or certain substances in a complex feed must be avoided under strict legislation frame.
Same frame specifies the way in which the analyzes are concluded.
Once an additive deemed dangerous for a certain category of animals is used, one or more batches of compound feed may be transfected.
Microbiological food testing and laboratory analysis
Medi Lab S.A. carries out a full range of microbiological analyzes covering the requirements of European and national legislation, in accordance with Regulations (EC) No. 2073/2005 and its amendments (Regulation. 1881/2006, 1441/2007).