Impurity determination

Impurities , or formulations. They can originate from various processes: synthetic residues, degradation byproducts, cross-contamination during manufacturing, or migration from equipment and packaging. Their presence, even at very low concentrations, can impact the quality, safety, and regulatory compliance of products. Impurity testing is therefore a key step in ensuring the reliability and traceability of products intended for animal nutrition and other industrial applications.

Analytical methods for the determination of impurities

The choice of method depends on the nature of the impurities sought and the matrix analyzed:

• HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) : suitable for organic impurities, particularly those resulting from synthesis or degradation.
• LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) : allows the specific identification of complex structural impurities, even at low levels.
• GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) : used for volatile or semi-volatile impurities.
• ICP-MS / ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry or Optical Emission Spectrometry) : essential for detecting metallic impurities and traces of mineral elements.

These analytical approaches are comparable to protocols applied for other contaminant controls, such as the determination of heavy metals or adjuvants .

Industrial applications and compliance issues

Impurity measurement is a cross-functional tool used in several sectors:

• Animal nutrition : securing raw materials, additives and formulations to avoid any impact on animal health and livestock performance.
• Food supplements : quality control and compliance of bioactive ingredients.
• Plant extracts : verification of purity and prevention of residues linked to harvesting, extraction or processing.
• Processed products : validation of stability and compliance with current standards.

This control helps to reduce regulatory and commercial risks, in the same way as other strategic services such as allergen dosage or mycotoxin dosage .

Matrices analyzed for the determination of impurities

YesWeLab handles a wide variety of matrices: crude or concentrated plant extracts, agricultural and industrial raw materials, nutritional additives, animal formulations, and dietary supplements. Each matrix is ​​processed using a customized approach, ensuring sensitivity and reliability of results.

Quality and safety issues

Analytical monitoring of impurities meets several objectives:

• Secure animal and human health by eliminating risks associated with unwanted contaminants.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with international standards for food safety and labeling.
• Ensure consistency and traceability between different production batches.
• Strengthen the confidence of customers and distributors by attesting to the quality and purity of the products sold.

These issues are part of a global quality control approach, comparable to other critical analyses such as pesticide dosage or pharmaceutical residue dosage.

YesWeLab's expertise in impurity measurement

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of more than 200 partner laboratories in France and Europe, accredited ISO 17025 and COFRAC. Our experts assist each manufacturer in choosing the most appropriate technique, depending on the type of impurities to be detected and the matrix to be analyzed. Thanks to our digital platform, you can centralize your analytical requests: online quotes, real-time tracking of your samples, and rapid receipt of results. Since 2020, many players in the animal nutrition, agri-food, and nutraceutical sectors have trusted us to ensure the quality of their products.

Take action

Do you want to detect and quantify impurities in your extracts, raw materials, or formulations? Entrust your samples to YesWeLab for reliable, accurate, and compliant testing. Request a quote online now for your analyses.