We are pleased to share a new milestone for our laboratory. Analytical is now accredited for pesticide testing in plant matrices with a water content of less than 10% and a high matrix load. These matrices include products such as dried oregano, pepper, and various spices. However, today we want to focus on one of the most precious spices in the world: saffron.
Saffron: A Treasure Among Spices
Saffron, whether in threads or powder, is known for its unique aroma, vibrant color, and numerous health benefits. It is a prized spice, but often exposed to potential adulterations and variations in quality, especially when imported from non-EU countries. This makes it crucial to verify its authenticity and compliance with quality standards.
Analysis of Safranal, Crocin, and Picrocrocin
Our laboratory can determine the main chemical characteristics of saffron:
- Safranal: responsible for its characteristic aroma.
- Crocin: the compound that gives saffron its typical intense red color.
- Picrocrocin: which defines its distinctive taste.
By analyzing these three components, it is possible to assess the quality and purity of saffron, distinguishing authentic saffron from counterfeit or low-quality products.
Verification of Organic Requirements
In addition to determining the main chemical characteristics, our laboratory can verify saffron’s compliance with organic product standards. This certification is particularly important given the frequent importation from non-EU countries, where cultivation and production processes may differ from those in the European Union.
Accreditation According to UNI EN 15662:2018
Our accreditation is based on the UNI EN 15662:2018 standard, which describes the analytical method for determining pesticide residues using the GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS techniques. This methodology is widely recognized for its reliability in multi-residue analysis, allowing the identification and quantification of various substances simultaneously.
Focus on Polar Pesticides with CVUA QuPPe
For polar pesticides, we follow the guidelines of CVUA-EU RL-SRM QuPPe-PO (Vers. 12.2 met 1.9 2023). QuPPe, an acronym for Quick Polar Pesticides, is a procedure specifically developed for the determination of polar pesticides that are difficult to analyze with traditional methods. This methodology enables accurate analysis of compounds such as glyphosate and fosetyl aluminum, as well as other polar substances that may be present in plant-based foods. Using this method ensures effective detection even in cases of complex and hard-to-identify residues.
