Food Grains Analysis

Food grains are important and dominant crops in all parts of the world. Cereals and pulses are important commodity groups of crops that provide high-quality protein and essential nutrients. These can be produced with minimum use of resources and hence, can be cultivated easily. The potential of food pulses to help address future global food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability needs has been acknowledged through the UN declaration of the 2016 International year of pulses. They also supply fodder for cattle, provide raw material to various industries. Ex. Dal industry, Roasted grain industry, Papad industry. The World Health Organisation estimates that up to 80% of heart-related diseases, type 2 diabetes, and over a third of cancers could be prevented by promoting better eating habits and cutting down unhealthy components from the diet. As the demand for functional foods has increased, it has become important to develop new technologies like a fortification, and enrichment to produce cereal fractions with potential health benefits.

Regional, national and international trade equally plays a significant role in the grain sector. Several processing methods can be employed for cereals and pulses; like fermentation, malting, and many others. This distinguishing feature is creating high demand among consumers to bring out many more products.

Here are some examples

• Cereals – rice, wheat, maize, barley, oats
• Millets – finger millet, pearl millet, little millet
• Pulses and legumes – kidney bean, lentils, soyabeans, fava beans
• Cereal by-products - bran, grits, residual cakes
• Processed products – tofu, fermented products
• Animal fodder

Eurofins is the leading food analytical testing platform offering a wide spectrum of testing services. Our professional team of experienced scientists and researchers has the necessary expertise to conduct a wide range of analytical tests. Eurofins is a leading contributor in ensuring food safety and assurance. We have a comprehensive range of sophisticated equipment and our testing services include national and international methods in compliance with food hygiene standards.

We are the global leader in analytical testing. Our accredited, state-of-the-art laboratories are available all over the world for thorough and accurate testing. A full team of experts is standing by to ensure that your tests are completed and analysed quickly.

We also have a high competent team that specializes in pesticides, mycotoxins, contaminants, genetically modified organisms (GMO), microbiology, and general food analysis, as well as food legislation. We will always be available to address all of your questions regarding worldwide supply chain control and quality control.

Specific Testing services offered by Eurofins

• Detection of allergens - gluten, mustard, peanut, soya allergen in various cereal flours
• Detection of anti-nutritional factors- tannins, saponins, phytates, oxalates and other anti-nutritional
• Compositional analysis – protein, fat, carbohydrate, energy, dietary fibre, starch, amino acids, fatty acids profile, vitamins and trace elements,
• Filth test for detection of foreign matter
• General microbiological analysis - aerobic plate count, yeast and moulds
• Detection of pathogenic micro-organisms like Salmonella, coli, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococci
• Analysis of Genetically modified organisms - GMO screening, GMO identification (specific detection of one or more GMO), GMO quantification
• Testing for the anti-oxidants like BHA (Butylated Hydroxy Anisole), TBHQ (Tert-butyl hydroquinone)
• Testing for the presence of Ergot in good grains
• Determination of uric acid
• Determination of Hydrocyanic acid in beans
• Determination of synthetic colours in processed cereal and pulse products like biscuits, cakes
• Detection of various adulterants
• Determination of organic and inorganic residues and contaminants
• Mycotoxin analyses,    multi-toxin   analyses-    pyrrolizidine alkaloids, tropane alkaloids, ergot alkaloids
• Plant growth regulators like chlormequat, mepiquat
• Fumigants like phosphine, methyl bromide, sulfuryl difluoride
• Acidic herbicides
• Metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, tin
• Naturally occurring Toxic Substances like, Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin A & Deoxynivalenol

Why Eurofins?

• The Eurofins Group offers a unique portfolio of analysis and testing services complemented by quality management, consultancy, and training for the food, feed, and seed For their clients, Eurofins is the ideal partner providing accurate, reliable, rapid testing services along the whole supply chain.
• We have Competence Centres with state-of-the-art equipment such as high-resolution GC, HPLCs, GCMSMS, FTIR, ELISA, HR-MS, GC-MS, HPLC, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, Real-time PCR, and NMR systems
• Participation in industry associations and regulatory bodies allowing early advice on potential food scares and legal obligations
• Expert advice - testing schemes, on-site-check for hygiene and allergens, labelling advice, and traceability
• We have local contact with a global network