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ifp Institut für Produktqualität Competence Centre for Modern Food Analytics |
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News Archive 2007Quantitative determination of pea, lupine and white bean in marzipan and marzipan pastes Recently the number of positive results far above the detection limits (0.1%) for pea and lupine in marzipan and semi-finished marzipan products has increased. ifp has developed specific antisera for these substances and performs the respective quantitative immunological detections.The programme is complemented by white bean detection. This puts ifp into a position to analyse and guarantee product purity and identity for marzipan. The range of analysis comprises apricot kernel, Sargent cherry, pea, white bean, lupine, alfalfa, cashew, peanut and plum. Meat product company Schmälzle in Pfullingen receives ECARF quality seal In cooperation with the ifp Institut für Produktqualität, the European Centre for Allergy Research (www.ecarf.org ) headquartered at the Charité in Berlin has awarded the German company Schmälzle (www.schmaelzle-fleischwaren.de ) with the ECARF seal of quality for its wieners (“Wiener Würstchen”). This seal of quality certifies that the product is suitable for people with allergies. The company's wieners are subject to strict quality controls for allergenic substances performed by ifp. The label specifies all the information important for allergic people, and the product contains no hidden allergens Additional food law advisory board established The ifp Institut für Produktqualität has established a network of partnerships and institutions and is advised by an additional board specialised in food law. This enables ifp to answer all relevant questions, provide comprehensive information to the food sector and help with all national and international legal questions. The advisory board is made up of recognized personalities with many years of experience in their field of work. Detection of chickpeas in hazelnut pastes and oil seed products ifp has developed an immunological test for the detection of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) in hazelnut pastes and oil seed products. The test is based on a specific antiserum and allows the detection of amounts below 0.1%. Chickpeas belong to the family of pulses and are a popular food in Turkey and Arab countries. Chickpeas resemble hazelnuts and can be detected in hazelnut pastes as a contaminant or non-permitted additive. ifp introduces innovative product PCRFast® into the market The ifp Institut für Produktqualität has developed an innovative molecular biological, gel-based PCR product line under the brand name PCRFast®. It will be marketed via Th.Geyer (www.thgeyer.de ). ifp his thus the first company to successfully standardize PCR in the field of food analysis. The products are easy to use. The reaction vials already contain the key reagents (primer, specific positive controls) and are ready to use. So two pipetting operations is all that remains to be done: Sample DNA and a MasterMix that contains the components buffer solution, nucleotide, magnesium chloride and polymerase. There is no longer any risk of contamination, and the tests will keep for two years. ifp provides standardized protocols for sample preparation. ifp develops specific DNA test for the detection of Sargent Cherry in marzipan and oil seeds Time and again, Sargent Cherries (prunus sargentii) are offered and traded in the market as real almonds (prunus dulcis). It cannot be ruled out that Sargent Cherries are mixed in with other raw materials (such as bitter almonds). Sargent Cherries have almost the same tocopherol spectrum as almonds. Originally from Asia, Prunus sargentii belongs to the same family (Rosacea) and genus (prunus), yet it is distinct in terms of phenotype and botanical characteristics. In Germany it is not allowed to use prunus sargentii in the production of marzipan or semi-finished marzipan products. The molecular biological test (under the umbrella brand name PCRFast®) is highly specific and allows the detection of prunus sargentii at levels even below 0.1%. Detection and semi-quantitative determination of apricot kernels in marzipan and semi-finished marzipan products by means of PCR now definitely possible The ifp Institut für Produktqualität GmbH based in Berlin has developed a molecular biological test (PCR) for the reliable detection of apricot kernels in semi-finished marzipan products, marzipan and marzipan products down to a detection level of below 1%. According to the guiding principles of the German Food Code, marzipan paste consists of almonds only. Adding apricot kernels is not permitted. Almonds and apricots can be told apart with the help of electrophoretic separation of the proteins, such as IEF, yet additives of below 5% can hardly be identified with this method. All immunological attempts undertaken so far to generate a specific apricot antiserum have failed because of its close relationship to almonds. The molecular biological test has proven as the method of choice. After extraction of the DNA from the sample and purification, a specific DNA sequence of the apricot is amplified by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and detected in gel. Detection can also be performed semi-quantitatively and in real time with SybrGreen. The DNA test proved specific to all commercially available types of apricot kernel (sweet and bitter kinds from various countries of origin). All types of almond (sweet and bitter almonds from various countries of origin) as well as nectarine, peach, plum and cherries exhibited a negative reaction to this test. ifp establishes scientific advisory board for food allergens The ifp Institut für Produktqualität has established a scientific and clinical advisory board for its Food Allergy Division, consisting of internationally recognised experts. The advisory board will advise the Institute on all scientific and clinical questions concerning allergy problems. The advisory board consists of the following persons:
In this way the Institut für Produktqualität is responding to the ever growing challenges in the area of allergy problems. As a partner and complete supplier of allergy diagnostics and allergy management, ifp is thus able to provide the food industry with comprehensive advice and information on this complex subject and to identify expert partners for carrying out clinical studies. |
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