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Botanical ingredients can present a particular analytical challenge because mycotoxins may not be evenly distributed throughout a lot.
This means:
The laboratory method matters—but so does how the sample represents the lot.
Depending on the ingredient and specification, applicable testing may include aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A.
PBR Laboratories supports botanical ingredient manufacturers, suppliers and Natural Health Product quality teams across Alberta, Western Canada and Canada.
The decision depends on:
Potentially relevant materials may include:
Applicable testing may include:
Ochratoxin A may be relevant to selected agricultural or botanical ingredients depending on the matrix and quality specification.
Mycotoxin contamination may occur unevenly.
A sample taken from one small portion of a large lot may not represent other portions of the shipment.
Sampling should consider:
A grab sample represents one portion.
A composite combines several increments.
A composite can increase lot coverage but may also average a localized higher result with lower portions.
The sampling approach should therefore match the quality decision.
Testing the incoming botanical ingredient can help identify a supplier or raw-material concern before manufacturing.
Finished-product testing answers a separate question about the final formulation.
The appropriate matrix should be confirmed before submission.
Review:
The result applies to the submitted sample.
Depending on the situation, the quality team may review:
Follow-up testing should be selected around the specific question being investigated.
Depending on the ingredient and specification, aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A may be relevant.
Because contamination may be unevenly distributed.
No.
The answer depends on the product, specification and quality decision.
Tell PBR the ingredient, lot size, testing requirement and sampling approach.