Newsletter #4 - November 2017

New in our portfolio: tropane alkaloids

On August 21^st we added the analysis of the tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine to our portfolio. These analyses are relevant for customers that work with millet, sorghum, buckwheat, nutritional supplements, (herbal) teas, legume vegetables, pulses, oilseeds and derived products.

ABOUT TROPANE ALKALOIDS

Tropane alkaloids (TA) are secondary metabolites which naturally occur in plants of several families. The TA are responsible for the toxic effects of some of these plants and are found in all parts of the plants. 
Datura is a genus of nine species of poisonous vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. The presence of TA in genus Datura is well known. The two best known representatives of TA in plants are atropine and scopolamine.

RISKS AND TARGETED MATRICES

Tropane alkaloid containing plants are potential contaminants of various food and feeding stuffs, since these plants may grow close to or between crops of linseed, soybean, sorghum, millet, sunflower and buckwheat and products thereof. These seeds cannot be easily removed by sorting and cleaning.

Proven intoxications in humans are often a result of errors in making herbal preparations and tea.

For young children and infants, an acute overdose results in a decrease of the heart rate.

EXISTING EUROPEAN REGULATION AND RECOMMENDATION

• Regulation EC 239/2016, amending Commission Regulation 1881/2006, sets a maximum level of 1,0 µg/kg for atropine and scopolamine for processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children, containing millet,
• sorghum, buckwheat or their derived products.
• Recommendation (2015/976) asks to monitor the presence of TA in cereal (-products), gluten-free products, nutritional supplements, (herbal) teas, legume vegetables, pulses, oilseeds and derived products.

TECHNICAL INFO

MORE INFO

Please contact your market manager or our customer care team for more info about this new analysis method