Research into constituents of animal origin

The search for animal-derived ingredients aims to detect the presence of traces of animal products —such as meat, gelatin, milk, eggs, or animal fat—in various food, cosmetic, or nutraceutical products.
This analysis is essential to guarantee ingredient traceability , compliance with regulatory requirements , and adherence to "vegetarian," "vegan," or "halal" labels .

It addresses issues of safety, labeling, authenticity and transparency in agri-food and cosmetic production chains.

Principles and methods of analysis

The detection of constituents of animal origin relies on highly sensitive biomolecular and immunological techniques

• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) : allows the amplification and identification of DNA sequences specific to an animal species . This method is particularly effective for detecting meat, milk, or gelatin after heat processing.
• ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) : relies on the recognition of specific antigens (animal proteins) by antibodies. It is suitable for the detection of residual animal proteins.
• DNA sequencing (NGS – Next Generation Sequencing) : allows for simultaneous multi-species , ideal for complex products or mixtures of ingredients.

These approaches guarantee high specificity and sensitivity , even on transformed, hydrolyzed or low-concentration matrices.

For further analysis, see:

• the search for plant-based constituents for the detection of plant traces,
• taxonomic studies for species identification from DNA,
• and the analysis of product authenticity to guarantee compliance with labeling.

Industrial applications

This analysis applies to many sectors where traceability and ethical compliance are essential:

• Animal nutrition : verification of the absence of prohibited animal proteins in food for non-carnivorous animals.
• Agri-food : control of compliance “no pork”, “no animal gelatin”, or “100% vegetarian” in food products and additives.
• Cosmetics : validation of the origin of raw materials (gelatin, collagen, keratin, lanolin, etc.) for vegan and natural ranges.
• Nutraceuticals and food supplements : verification of the nature of the excipients, capsules or additives used (gelatin, lactose, casein…).
• Control of ethical and religious labels halal , kosher , vegetarian or vegan specifications .

This approach allows manufacturers and distributors to strengthen consumer confidence and secure their marketing claims.

Analytical interest and complementarity

The search for constituents of animal origin is part of a set of authenticity and traceability aimed at securing the production chain:

• DNA authenticity analysis to confirm the genetic composition of raw materials,
• GMO testing to verify the absence of transgenic sequences
• Total protein levels were measured to correlate the presence of animal matter.
• Allergen analysis to detect traces of milk, egg or fish,
• DNA sequencing (barcoding) to precisely identify the species present in a sample.

These additional tests provide complete traceability of ingredients and guarantee regulatory and ethical compliance of products.

YesWeLab Services

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of partner laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 and/or COFRAC , experts in authenticity, genetics, and traceability analyses .
Our teams select the method best suited to your needs (targeted PCR, ELISA, NGS) according to the matrix to be analyzed and the required detection threshold.

Thanks to the YesWeLab digital platform , manufacturers can centralize their analyses, track their samples, and access their reports directly online.
Since 2020, YesWeLab has been supporting players in the animal nutrition, food processing, and cosmetics industries in their efforts to ensure product safety, compliance, and added value .

For any specific request or quote, contact our scientific team today.