Residues

Residue Testing Services

The University of Guelph, Laboratory Services, Agriculture & Food Laboratory (AFL) has built client relationships in residue testing over many years. We can test for a broad range of residue types in feed and food including mycotoxins, minerals, heavy metals, pesticides, hormones, veterinary drug residues and other trace contaminants. Our main expertise lies in providing trace analytical chemistry, and ensuring residues fall under acceptable guidelines to help ensure a safe food supply. Our methods are designed to target regulatory maximum residue limits (MRL) where applicable. In the absence of a published MRL, assay sensitivity is typically in the low part per billion (ppb) range. Please call to discuss your specific testing needs at 519-767-6299 or 1-877-UofG-AFL (1-877-863-4235).

Using approved and accredited methods we can provide the following testing:

Quality Assurance

Our testing is carried out in a state-of-the-art facility with a mature Quality System. Please refer to our current Scope of Accreditation.

HOW CAN AFL HELP FOOD PROCESSORS?

Some of our client relationships are more than thirty years old. This speaks volumes to our ability to provide trusted results year after year. As the effects of residues are traced in the environment, we develop methods applicable to processed food, vegetation, fruits, vegetables, water, soil, biosolids, animal tissues, dairy and honey.

Antibiotic Residues

Laboratory Services works closely with provincial legislators and producer associations in both meat and milk sectors. We provide qualitative and quantitative, rapid and cost-effective testing for the major classes of antimicrobials and other drug classes in a large variety of matrices including; milk, meat, fish, feed, water, honey and eggs. In addition, test method development and validation services are available. The following drug groups are available for testing include:

Amphenicols
Aminoglycosides
Beta-lactams
Fluoroquinolones
Ionophores
Macrolides
Sulfonamides
Tetracyclines
Beta-agonists
Endectocides
NSAIDS

Pesticide Residues

We can analyze virtually any food type (fresh or processed) for pesticide residues. We are currently able to analyze greater than 500 active ingredients using a broad range of multi-residue and single residue tests. Our tests methods primarily use mass spectrometry as the method of detection (either GC-MS or LC-MS/MS) with detection limits typically ranging from the part per trillion to low part per billion range. We also have a broad range of other methods of detection available where required.

Please contact our Customer Service today at (519) 767-6299 or aflinfo@uoguelph.ca to find more about our pesticide testing services, and how we can meet your needs.

Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of certain fungi that can have toxic or carcinogenic effects on animals or humans. They are ubiquitous in nature with hundreds of types having been identified worldwide. Our experienced staff uses both ELISA and LC-MS/MS methods to test for mycotoxins. Both are powerful analytical tools, providing cost-effective, quantitative analyses of a large number of samples in a short amount of time, with very low detection limits. The following mycotoxin tests are available:

Aflatoxin
Citrinin
Fumonisin
Ochratoxin
T2
Vomitoxin
Zearalenone

Feed Additives

The following tests are available for residues in animal feed:

Lasaloacid
as well as a Screen method for feed that includes lasa Monensin, Narasin and Salinomycin

Minerals

The following tests are available for mineral analyses:

Calcium
Potassium
Magnesium
Sodium
Phosphorus
Sulphur
Iron

Heavy Metals

The following tests are available for heavy metal analyses:

Aluminum
Antimony
Arsenic
Boron
Beryllium
Cadmium
Cobalt
Copper
Iron
Lead
Magnesium
Manganese
Mercury
Molybdenum
Nickel
Selenium
Tin
Titanium
Zinc

Accreditations