One of the main conditions to repeal the total feed ban is the development and validation of analytical methods for the detection of presence of species-specific animal proteins in animal feed. In the frame of the SA FE ED-PAP project, the potential of Near Infrared Microscopy (NIRM) for animal species discrimination is being investigated.
A marker is defined as a substance – or a group of substances - that is present in one class of animal meal and which causes a significant difference of the measured NIR spectra at specific wavelengths. The verification of the existence of such a marker is required to demonstrate that the identification of animal meals by means of NIRM is based on sound scientific reasoning (proof of concept).
A study conducted by CRA-W and UCO revealed specific wavelengths that are suitable for the separation of fish meal against terrestrial animal meals. The interpretation of the specific wavelengths hinted at a major factor responsible for the separation, namely the composition of the fat portion in the animal meals. Based on these results the fatty acid profile of a set of animal meals has been investigated by gas chromatography coupled to flame ionisation detection (GC-FID). The study was supported by the spectroscopic analysis of the samples and chemometric analysed of the obtained spectra. |
