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Ensuring Safe Probiotics for Pets

A pet suffering from digestive problems is not only unhappy, uncomfortable, and potentially unhealthy, but is also a source of worry for pet owners.  To ensure pet health, many pet owners are making pet probiotics supplements part of their pet care routine.

The growth for the pet probiotics category has been driven by an increased awareness and interest in functional pet foods and supplements. The pet probiotics market is experiencing growth of 7% per year and estimated to be valued at $7 billion by the year 2030. More and more consumers are willing make greater investments in their pets, as many view their pet as a family member.

Pet probiotics can address many conditions:

A probiotic that's beneficial for humans might not provide the same benefits for pets: for example, certain Lacticaseibacillus or Bifidobacterium strains might be common in both human and pet probiotics, but the specific subspecies or strains may differ, as benefits are strain specific. Other differences may be formulations, dosages, and testing.

Manufacturers and consumers should concern themselves with ensuring that what’s in the product matches what’s on the label.

With the prices that probiotics command, there can be opportunists selling pet probiotics that are not effective and can even be harmful. As with human probiotics, authentication testing can validate what the product contains.

Manufacturers of probiotic products have a responsibility to ensure and maintain the viable cell count of their products, not only to deliver the promised health benefits but also to uphold regulatory, ethical, and economic standards. The verification of viable cells of the specific strain ensures that the product will deliver the intended health benefits. Furthermore, the importance of strain identity testing cannot be overstated.

At Purity-IQ, our extensive library allows us to conduct identity tests for 80 different strains, ensuring that the right strain is present in the product. Strain level v-PCR testing provides companies the ability to enumerate probiotics at strain level to monitor stability of each strain, observe quantities and potential overages, and assess the impact of new protectants or additives on single or multi-strain blends.

Our precious, voiceless pets can’t tell us any details about their daily digestive health. Manufacturers and consumers alike could gain great piece of mind knowing that a probiotic product had proof of its viable formula through authentication services.

Beyond the Basics of NMR: Proton and Carbon

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool for determining the structure of organic compounds. As a process to determine a product’s authenticity, NMR can offer a world of information.

There are specific approaches with NMR however, that can refine the analysis of molecules to provide more precise insights about the structure of compounds. 

Proton (1H) NMR and Carbon (13C) NMR are the two most used forms of NMR spectroscopy. All organic molecules are made of hydrogen and carbon among other elements. We can use Proton (1H) NMR and Carbon (13C) NMR to assess the chemical environments of protons (hydrogens) and carbons, respectively. In practice, scientists often use both proton and carbon NMR in tandem, along with other techniques, to fully understand the structure of compounds.

Proton (1H) NMR is often the first technique used for the structural elucidation of organic molecules. This technique helps give a view of the structure of an ingredient. Some of the characteristics of Proton (1H) NMR can be described as follows:

Carbon (13C) NMR provides complementary information, giving insight into the different carbon environments in a molecule. Its characteristics can be described in the following way:

Neither technique is universally "more effective" than the other. Instead, the choice between them is based on the specific needs of the analysis. For complete structural comprehension, both 1H and 13C NMR are often employed together, supplemented by other analytical techniques as needed.

Purity-IQ is biotech company that specializes in authentication services.  As one of Canada’s leaders in NMR analysis, Purity-IQ uses both proton and carbon analysis in NMR Spectroscopy.

Probiotic Strain Level Viable Cell Count Using Viability PCR: The Signature of Authenticity in Probiotics

More and more probiotic brands are looking to authenticate their products in order to stand by their stated health claims.

Probiotics exert their health benefits by colonizing and interacting with the host's gut. For this to happen effectively, a certain threshold number of live microorganisms is often required. Many probiotic products often specify a cell count (usually in Colony Forming Units or CFUs) on the label. Clinical studies on probiotics often determine a specific dosage (number of CFUs) that provides health benefits. For a consumer to achieve similar benefits, they need to consume a product that provides a comparable number of viable cells.

As probiotic health benefits are strain-specific, viable count determination at the strain level is vital to ensure the efficacious dose is present in the product.

Manufacturers of probiotic products have a responsibility to ensure and maintain the viable cell count of their products, not only to deliver the promised health benefits but also to uphold regulatory, ethical, and economic standards. The verification of viable cells of the specific strain ensures that the product will deliver the intended health benefits.

Fit for purpose methods are important. While the plate count method has been used for more than 125 years, we recommend viability PCR methods to verify strain level viable cell count. Viability real time PCR (v-PCR) allows for the enumeration of individual strains in a multi-strain product. The ability to achieve enumeration to the strain level in multi-strain blends is important because health benefits are strain specific and dose dependent.

Strain level v-PCR testing provides companies the ability to:

As consumers become more educated about probiotics, there's an increasing demand for transparency and quality. This consumer pressure compels manufacturers to ensure their products meet or exceed label claims.

Over time, the number of live microorganisms in a probiotic product can decrease, especially if stored under unfavorable conditions. Monitoring viable cell counts helps manufacturers assess product stability and assign accurate shelf-lives.

To further assure quality and foster trust, some companies use third-party laboratories to independently test their products for viable cell counts and other quality metrics. Purity-IQ provides 3rd party verification for raw material to finished product in different dosage forms to confirm product quality and ensure regulatory compliance.

The Growing Power of Plant-Based Foods and the Need to Authenticate Them

According to a market analysis report by Bloomberg, the dynamic growth of the plant-based food category will continue through the decade. Global sales of plant-based foods are predicted to increase 500% between 2020 and 2030.

What’s fueling this velocity? Customer growth is being driven by a convergence of consumer trends and concerns, creating new and unprecedented category opportunities:

Rather than radical shifts to veganism, many consumers have started to mix plant-based products into their larger animal-based diet, to address some of these issues and ‘do less harm’.

As with other types of food products, opportunities exist for food fraud in the plant-based sector and are fueled by strong demand leading to supply shortages and inflated costs. In many countries, the regulation of these products is not as strictly enforced as it is with animal products. Therefore, some products may be mislabeled, claiming to be vegan when they actually contain animal ingredients.

Plant-based food adulteration can affect a wide range of products.  Food oils, especially olive oils, are among the most frequently adulterated foods, often mixed with cheaper oils like hazelnut, sunflower, or palm oil. Other plant-based foods that could be a target for adulteration include pulses, legumes, plant-based milks and meats, cacao products, chia seeds, maple syrup, juices, as well as herbs and spices.

As market opportunities for plant-based foods grow, food fraud will become a greater threat. Consumers will seek the best possible assurances about product integrity. Food companies are well advised to work with laboratories and testing services that can help them develop rigorous protocols and be able to provide certifications of authenticity. Third-party testing will provide them and their customers piece of mind that what is on their label matches the product inside.

Fight food fraud! Learn more about the power of NMR and the testing services available at Purity-IQ.

NMR Authentication: The Best Food Fraud Detective for Spices

Today’s market conditions have created a “perfect storm of opportunity for fraudsters”, according to a 2023 article by Dale Buss in Food Technology Magazine. Because of the supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic, record-high recent inflation rates, and new commodity shortages caused by war and weather disasters, incidents of food fraud are climbing. Food fraud now affects about 1% of the global food industry, with a cost of at least $10 billion to $15 billion a year, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The European Food Safety Authority estimates that food fraud incidents rose by about 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spices, being high-value commodities, are frequent targets of food fraud: these occur through adulteration, substitution, dilution, and mislabeling. Some of the most frequently adulterated spices typically include:

Third-party authentication services are the best defense against food fraud. No matter how trustworthy a chain of supply might have been in the past, today’s conditions have led to contingency buying across many markets. And because it is impossible to know what kind of fraud might exist, targeted testing can be fruitless.

The principle of NMR relies on the magnetic properties of certain atomic nuclei. NMR can provide information about the structure, composition, state, and even the identity of molecules in a sample. In order to build a defense plan against food fraud, consider authentication services that include NMR testing.

Fight food fraud! Learn more about the power of NMR and the testing services available at Purity-IQ.

Major Price Increases Create Conditions for Fraud for Food Oils

Global wars, product shortages and rising prices have set the stage for vulnerable conditions in the world oil market. Unscrupulous producers seeking greater profits can take advantage of a market experiencing peak demand and waning supply.

Across the world and in North America, the highest quality oils are the most vulnerable to fraud. These include olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil which is one of the most frequently adulterated oils due to its high price and consumer demand. Truffle oil, sesame oils and avocado oils are also targets for adulteration.

However, in today’s market, oils used daily for cooking such as sunflower oil, are also vulnerable. The Ukraine is one of its major producers and supplies are reaching unprecedented low levels, causing prices to increase by 40% on supermarket shelves in Europe

Consumers and distributors may find oil adulterated in several ways:

The Best Defense Against Oil Fraud: Authentication Services

Regulatory bodies, oil manufacturers, and other stakeholders in the food industry are constantly working on strategies to combat food fraud in oils. This includes better traceability and transparency in the supply chain, as well as tougher penalties for food fraud.

The best defense against oil fraud is offering customers authentication services that validate that what is on the label is actually in the product. The most thorough way to do this is through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) testing.

NMR spectroscopy is an analytical chemistry technique used in quality control and research to determine the content and purity of a sample as well as its molecular profile. In the context of detecting adulteration or fraud in oils, NMR works by exploiting the magnetic properties of certain atomic nuclei.

The NMR spectra of pure oils are well-characterized, so by comparing the NMR spectrum of the test sample with the spectrum of a known, pure oil, scientists can identify differences that may indicate the presence of adulterants. For instance, if a sample of extra virgin olive oil has been adulterated with sunflower oil, the NMR spectrum of the sample would show signals corresponding to the sunflower oil molecules, which would not be present in the spectrum of pure olive oil.

As a non-targeted analytical technique, for any sample, NMR can provide information such as:

Fight food fraud! Learn more about the power of NMR and the testing services available at Purity-IQ.

Managing the Rise of Food Fraud

With alarming frequency, consumers are buying products that do not match what is stated on the label.

One of the contributing factors is the Covid-19 pandemic which created opportunities for food fraudsters and shone a light on the need for transparency in our food system.

The Rise of Food Fraud since the Covid-19 Pandemic

Factors related to the pandemic have created conditions to make food fraud more pervasive:

What is Food Fraud?

Food fraud occurs when food and supplement products are misrepresented, adulterated, or mislabeled for economic gain. This can mean intentional substitution, dilution, or misrepresentation of ingredients, misleading labeling, false certifications, or any other fraudulent activity related to food production, distribution, or sale.

Affected industries are making efforts to battle food fraud with several strategies. These include supply chain traceability systems, certification programs, and collaborative efforts with governments and industry groups to share information. Now manufacturers, suppliers and retailers are starting to implement more rigorous testing protocols, with tools that can provide the information needed to detect fraud.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique that can help in the detection and prevention of food fraud:

Getting Ahead of Food Fraud with NMR

NMR is an untargeted, rapid, and reliable analytical tool. By leveraging the capabilities of NMR spectroscopy, food industry stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and quality control laboratories have a powerful weapon in the fight against food fraud.

Contact us today to learn more about our certification program.

Probiotic Authentication
New Insights by Dr Hanan R. Shehata
Senior Scientist at Purity-IQ and featured Probiota Pioneer 2023 at Probiotas Americas

What are the most reliable methods for probiotic identification and enumeration? Dr. Hanan Shehata’s presentation will explain the methods developed by her team. Compared to traditional plate count methods, viability PCR methods are robust, accurate, provide enumeration to the strain level and offer shorter time to results.

As lead author, Dr. Shehata’s work was published in Frontiers in Microbiology. The study explains the method development for the strain-specific identification and enumeration of strain L. paracasei 8700:2.

“As this PCR method is strain specific, this methodology can identify and enumerate individual strains in multi-strain products,” says Dr. Shehata. “It can be used as a cost-effective testing method for both brand owners and manufacturers alike.”

Dr. Hanan Shehata is a Senior Scientist at Purity-IQ with over 15 years of experience in microbiology and molecular biology research and has published over 25 original research manuscripts. Her ground-breaking work revolves around designing and validating PCR-based methods for strain-specific identification and enumeration, which are crucial aspects of probiotic research and authentication; a passion she has pursued for over 6 years.

Don’t miss her presentation at Probiota Americas: June 14 to 16, 2023.

Contact us today to learn more about our certification program.

Authenticating Honey with NMR: An Untargeted Analytical Technique for a Complex Product

Honey has been a natural sweetener in the human diet for thousands of years. Today consumers are increasingly seeking out honey for its many health benefits. The growing awareness of the medicinal properties of honey have increased its economic value but have also made it a more vulnerable adulteration target. The complex nature of honey requires fit for purpose analytical techniques like Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to verity its purity and validate that the ingredients on the label match what’s in the honey pot.

Varieties of Honey

Honey is made naturally by honeybees collecting the nectar of flowers. There are hundreds of honey varieties. A beekeeper can create hives in fields with only one kind of flower, resulting in monofloral honeys such as clover, avocado, tupelo, blueberry and many more. When bees visit multiple plants, polyfloral honeys are created: these may be combinations of many nectars, with multiple combinations of tastes and benefits. Local honeys tend to be polyfloral, resulting in unique flavor profiles reflecting their regions.

Honey can also be harvested and processed in different ways. Most grocery stores sell pasteurized honey: pasteurization may extend shelf life and kill some bacteria, however raw honey is believed to offer more health benefits. Raw honey has not been heated during processing.

Many Uses of Honey

In addition to sugar, honey contains a mix of amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins and over 30 minerals including magnesium and potassium. Honey is used as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent, and to treat coughs, burns and to promote wound healing.

Widespread Adulteration of Honey

In the 1970s, to create less expensive honey food products, manufacturers began to add cheaper sugars to honey such as high fructose corn syrup. Adulterated honey may contain some real honey, but what has been added to it or how it has been processed degrades the quality, taste, and health benefits. Adulteration can happen in the following ways:

As awareness has grown of honey’s health benefits, the demand for natural and pure honeys has increased. Consumers are looking for quality products, and producers painstakingly manage beehives to create them. Without authentication, however, producers struggle to command their prices as they are forced to compete with adulterated products, and consumers unknowingly purchase lower quality honey.

Honey and NMR

The complex nature of honey needs verification techniques like Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). NMR has the analytic power to identify and quantify each of the product’s components and provide detailed information about the honey’s mixture of sugars, amino acids, organic acids, vitamins, and minerals.

NMR is a powerful analytical tool that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to study the molecular structure of compounds. It has gained popularity in the food industry, particularly in the analysis of honey. Since NMR is a non-targeted analytical technique, it is used to understand the complete chemical composition of a sample. NMR testing reveals:

As a non-targeted analytical technique, for any sample, NMR can provide information such as:

Contact us today to learn more about our certification program.

How Third-Party Certifications Can Build Brand Trust

Customers are always looking for meaningful differences in product attributes to help them make choices. A third-party certification can be a helpful guide to understanding a brand’s quality and trustworthiness.

What is a Third-Party Certification?

A third-party certification conveys the approval of a product by an independent organization or group. The independent organization tests and verifies the claims made by a product and affirms that certain standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness have been met. The organization’s name, logo, seal of approval or other certification, on a label or in an advertisement, is used to connect the brand and the organization issuing the certification.

How do Certifications Give Meaning to Products?

When a company self-declares that their product meets certain standards, it's essentially grading their own homework. Third-party certification provides independent, objective verification, guided only by the scientific criteria that informs their standard. Third-party certification ensures a product meets consistent standards. The third party applies that same standard of testing for all products it reviews.

How can Health Supplements be Better Verified?

Products such as supplements, probiotics and botanicals are important to consumers to maintain their health. Unfortunately, some supplements show up in the marketplace and claim the presence of ingredients that don’t exist.

Purity-IQ offers a trustmark program for companies that want to communicate that additional steps have been taken to verify their product formulas. The Purity-IQ Certified Authentic Program is a third-party certification that can be printed on a product label. It demonstrates that a manufacturer or distributor went one step beyond the regulatory requirements to provide their best assurance of authenticity. Our trustmark tells the customer that Purity-IQ has verified that the ingredients on the label match what is in the package.

How Does the Purity-IQ Certified Authentic Program Work?

Purity-IQ Inc. is a biotechnology company providing the highest levels of quality assurance through ingredient and formula testing and validation. Depending on the product and project, several analytic tools are used, including qPCR and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to validate ingredient profiles and give complete results of product samples.

Participation in the Purity-IQ Certified Authentic Program requires successful testing and validation of the stated ingredients, and greater than 90% consistency from batch-to-batch. Once products are successful in obtaining certification, the Purity-IQ Certified Authentic Program is licensed through an agreement.

We hope for a world where, one day, consumers will have full transparency, trust, and confidence in all the products they use. Third-party certifications, like the Purity-IQ Certified Authentic Program, are helpful steps in that direction.

Contact us today to learn more about our certification program.