Mineral dosage

Minerals are essential micronutrients for optimal bodily function, both in humans and in animal nutrition. Calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, sodium, and copper play a role in vital functions: energy metabolism, bone structure, electrolyte balance, and enzymatic and immune function. Mineral analysis allows for verification of actual nutritional intake, evaluation of the quality of fortified formulations, and characterization of plant extracts or functional ingredients. It is an indispensable tool for regulatory compliance and the enhancement of the value of food and nutraceutical products.

Analytical methods for the determination of minerals

Mineral analysis relies on reference spectroscopic techniques, recognized for their sensitivity and reliability:

• ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) : allows for the measurement of trace and ultra-trace element concentrations with high precision.
• ICP-OES / ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry) : ideal for the simultaneous quantification of several minerals in complex matrices.
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) : a complementary method suitable for the targeted determination of certain elements.

These approaches are comparable to those used for heavy metal analysis , ensuring reliable detection even at very low levels.

Industrial and regulatory applications

Mineral analysis addresses numerous industrial and scientific needs:

• Human nutrition : verification of the nutritional content of processed products, control of foods enriched with calcium, magnesium or iron.
• Nutraceuticals : standardization of food supplements and plant extracts, particularly those intended for bone support, immunity or vitality.
• Animal nutrition : formulation and quality control of feed for livestock or companion animals to ensure a balanced intake of essential minerals.
• Plant products and botanical extracts : characterization of mineral composition for the valorization of natural ingredients.

This analysis complements other essential services for nutritional control, such as vitamin testing or dietary fiber testing.

Matrices analyzed for mineral quantification

YesWeLab's partner laboratories perform mineral analysis in a wide range of matrices: food powders, nutritional supplements, plant extracts, functional beverages, fortified ingredients, and animal formulations. Each matrix undergoes a specific preparation (acid digestion, dilution, mineralization) to guarantee the reliability and representativeness of the results.

Quality and traceability issues

Controlling the mineral composition is crucial for:

• Ensure regulatory compliance with European and international standards regarding nutritional labeling.
• Check the consistency between the declared content and the actual content of the fortified products.
• Ensuring reproducibility between production batches is an essential factor for consumer and distributor confidence.
• Optimize human and animal nutrition formulations to achieve health and performance goals.

These challenges are comparable to those encountered when measuring amino acids , another key parameter of nutritional balance.

YesWeLab's expertise in mineral analysis

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of over 200 partner laboratories in France and Europe, accredited to ISO 17025 and COFRAC standards. Our experts guide each project toward the most relevant method based on the specific requirements and objectives: quality control, regulatory validation, or research and development. Our digital platform simplifies the management of your analyses: online quote requests, sample tracking, and rapid results delivery. Since 2020, manufacturers, distributors, and engineering firms have entrusted us with the mineral characterization of their products to guarantee their safety and compliance.

Take action

Do you want to analyze the mineral composition of your extracts, supplements, or nutritional formulations? Entrust your samples to YesWeLab for reliable and precise mineral analysis. Request a quote online now for your analyses.