Interpreting Vitamin Analytics in Premix

You’ve received a result that the vitamin E in your premix is 85% of the expected level. What does this mean exactly? Is this a problem?

The AAFCO Official Publication lists the allowed variation to the guarantee for a variety of nutrients. In the case of vitamins, this can range from +/- 45% for a small inclusion ingredient such as vitamin B12 to +/- 20% for a vitamin included at higher quantities such as vitamin E. This means that an analytical result of 80% to 120% of your expected level is considered acceptable.

But what feeds into this 85% result that you’re seeing? Variation can be attributed to several different factors. This includes (but is not limited to):

1) The Manufacturing Process

Ingredient activity - actual vs. declared concentration
Ingredient weighment - scale accuracy, equipment error
Mixing/Packaging - composition of premix and its tendency to separate

2) Sampling variation

It is important to have a representative composite sample vs. grab sample

3) Between lab variation (lab-to-lab)

Are the labs measuring the same thing ie., Ascorbic acid vs. ascorbyl monophosphate
Are they using the appropriate methodology ie., Additional enzyme step required for vitamin A or D3 from cross-linked beadlet sources

4) Within lab variation (technician-to-technician)

Are the samples mixed and prepared in the same manner to ensure complete extraction?

5) True analytical variation (method)

Variation is determined by repeated analysis on the same sample
Variation due to the method alone is typically 10% to 15% dependent on target nutrient

When you consider the above sources of variation and the sample size required to conduct the test is between 1 gram and 5 grams to represent an entire batch of premix, a result of 85% of your target level is excellent!

Want to learn more on this topic or have additional questions? Please reach out to your dsm-firmenich account representative.

Published on

21 February 2022

Interpreting Vitamin Analytics in Premix

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