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Dear Colleagues,

With our quarterly update IKB aktuell we would like to inform you about news from the Kirchhoff Berlin Institute.

You can expect a brief introduction to our Vitamin Team and updates of our analysis spectrum.

We are looking forward to working with you!
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact at any time.

Institute Kirchhoff Berlin GmbH
Kerstin Bernhart
Head of Sales & Marketing

 

Team Vitamins

Highlights demonstrating our expertise for a wide variety of Vitamin-matrices:

■   Participation in the BfR-Meal-Study (first German total diet study)
■   Active collaboration in the German vitamin working group
■   LC-MS/MS method for water soluble vitamins (capacity 40 samples/day)
■   Automated sample preparation for fatty soluble vitamins (mod. DIN EN 12822)

Our Services:
■  LoQ = 50 µg/100g
    B1 (thiamine), B2(riboflavin), B3 (nicotinic acid, nicotinamide), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 including pyridoxine, pyridoxal & pyridoxamine
■  LoQ = 0.5 µg/100g
    B12 (cobalamin) also for oil capsules, Biotin (B7 or B8)
■  LoQ = 1 µg/100g
    B9 including folic acid, tetrahydrofolate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate        
■  LoQ = 1 mg/100g
    Vitamin C 
■ LoQ diverse
   Fatty soluble vitamins E (0,1 mg/100g), D3 (0,5 µg/100g), K1 (1 µg/100g), A (10 µg/100g) by HPLC (MS/MS and FLD) 

See the matrices we cover

 


Steviol Glycosides

New reference framework for steviol glycosides issued by Codex Alimentarius. It is based on the review of the production technology, which ensures that the highest level of safety, purity and quality is achieved for the final steviol glycoside ingredient that is placed on the market. At IKB we are providing methods to analyse steviol glycosides as followed: 
Analytes: Stevioside, rebaudioside
Matrices: Dairy products, confectionery, sprinkled sweeteners and sweeteners

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, new limits in July 2022. Matrices affected are tea, herbal tea, food supplements with herbal ingredients, pollen, herbs and caraway seeds will apply. We have developed an LC-MS/MS-based method for the reliable measurement of the new maximum levels. Thanks to the analysis with a highly sensitive mass spectrometer and a simplified sample preparation, the method enables sensitive, reliable and fast PA analyses.
Matrices: Coffee, tea, herbs/spices
Analysis time: 7 working days, 3-day rush service 
Capability Update, see Drive

MRSA zoonoses

11.7-43.4% prevalence of MRSA zoonoses in meat.  A Zoonosis monitoring by the German governments identified turkey, chicken, pork and veal as affected meats. We offer the examination for coag. pos. Staphylococcus aureus and its identification as an MRSA strain. MRSA is detected by identifying resistance-conferring genes, using real-time PCR. Please feel free to consult our experts on this topic.
Matrices: Meat
Parameters: Coag. pos. Staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus
Method: Real-time PCR

GMO analysis, VLOG certification

Although there is a ban on the cultivation of e.g. genetically modified maize in Germany, there have been repeated GMO-positive findings in 2021. In Germany, VLOG (Verband Lebensmittel ohne Gentechnik), a non-governmental organisation against genetically modified food, issues a recognised certificate for the declaration of GMO-free food. Aldi has already introduced this in 2018. At IKB, we offer comprehensive screening and GMO analysis for the food and feed sector using real-time PCR. We are registered for testing according to VLOG.
Matrices: Soybean, maize, rapeseed among others
Analytics: Screening and event-specific GMO analysis services, real-time PCR

 

Novel Food

Determination of cannabinoids in food

When do cannabinoids become a problem?
When defined toxicological limits are exceeded due to the psychoactive effect or when a product is not marketable due to its classification as narcotic or novel food. The most important psychoactive compound is Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Products with a THC content above 0.2 % are classified as narcotics (German Narcotics Act). The regulation of cannabis products within Europe is not yet harmonised; uniform maximum levels are currently being discussed. The THC content in food may not exceed the Acute Reference Dose of 1 µg/kg body weight per day. Products containing synthetic or isolated pure cannabidiol may be marketed if they are approved as novel food and no Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is detectable in them. The legally compliant marketing of trendy hemp-containing product novelties presents manufacturers with new challenges in production and quality assurance in analytics. 
With our research and development centre, we have developed methods for the safe determination and quantification of cannabinoids in compliance with toxicological threshold values. Please also read our recent publications "Cannabinoids in Novel Foods and Feed" and "Cannabinoids in Food, Feed and NovelFood".

Matrices: Herbal and tea mixtures, confectionery, flours, oils, sauces
Capability Essential, see Drive

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil analysis remains an ongoing topic

In the field of mineral oil analysis in food, we have been one of the leading German laboratories with an international reputation for over ten years. Our services cover food, packaging, migration with food stimulants and compressed air in industrial production facilities. Our analytical service is aligned with the JRC Guideline, as well as the 2019 JRC Guidelines, and we are fully accredited to ISO 17025. 
In continuous development of our services, we have improved our methodology for skimmed milk powder and whey powder. For products with a low fat content of 0.5%, we can now reliably detect the guidance value of 22 mg/kg MOSH in milk fat.

Matrices: Food, feed, food contact materials and cosmetic raw materials and cosmetics.
Rush Analytics: Possible on request
Latest Publication: Synthetic paraffin oils from GTL in comparison with mineral oil

Dietary fibre method

Critical matrices for the analysis of dietary fibre methods

A variety of different methods are offered for the analysis of dietary fibres. The correct application is critical for the results! For example, if the samples contain higher-molecular fractions of FOS, which are only partially co-precipitated, or contain resistant starches and maltrodextrins, which are occasionally also only partially detectable.
Depending on whether low-molecular dietary fibres or dietary fibre components have been added to the sample, different methods have to be applied. 
With the parameters "dietary fibres total", "dietary fibres AOAC" as well as "dietary fibres besides inulin" we have established three methods according to ASU L 00 00-18, AOAC 2017.16, ASU L 00.00-79, which cover all kinds of samples.

Matrices: Baked goods, chocolate

Feel free to contact at any time for further information or discussion on our services.


Institut Kirchhoff Berlin GmbH * Oudenarder Straße 16 / Carreé Seestraße, 13347 Berlin
Telefon: +49 (0) 30 457 98 93-0 * Fax: +49 (0) 30 457 98 93-555
E-Mail: IKB.de@mxns.com * Web: www.institut-kirchhoff.de : Dr. Erik Becker