We can also support you in developing your control plan and suggest the relevant markers to assay by cross-referencing data from our regulatory watch and alert systems.
Active ingredient assay
Active ingredient assay: ensuring the quality and effectiveness of your products
Plant active ingredients, also known as secondary metabolites, are compounds naturally synthesised by plants. These molecules give plants their biological, functional or therapeutic properties. Their content can vary depending on the species, geographical origin, growing conditions, harvesting or processing methods.
Active ingredient assay verifies the quality, compliance and standardisation of raw materials and finished products.
Phytocontrol supports professionals in the food, food supplement and plant-based product industries by precisely quantifying molecules of interest to guarantee the performance, traceability and consistency of their products.
We offer phytochemical assays using various analytical methods (HPLC, UV-visible spectrophotometry, titration, gravimetry, GC) based on:
- The pharmacopoeias (European, French, US, Swiss, etc.).
- The laboratory’s in-house methods (developed to cover the 2014 plant decree as comprehensively as possible).
- Your customer/supplier methods (useful if you want to meaningfully compare the specifications of your technical data sheets).
Particular points of vigilance:
Active substances
To ensure product quality, it is necessary to control the levels of active substances.
Indeed, secondary metabolites and their concentration can vary for various reasons (localised, temporal, or influenced production):
Interactions with the environment (climate, soil, etc.),
Metabolic stress (plant stress).
Why check plant species?
- Checking the quality of your product and detecting human health risks.
- Verifying the levels of active substances (supporting the claim) or of substances requiring monitoring.
- Confirming stability and content before formulation.
Substances requiring monitoring
To ensure the safety of a product, it is necessary to control:
Substances requiring monitoring listed in the plant decree
“Toxic” substances requiring monitoring
“Allergenic” substances requiring monitoring
SECTORS
Products concerned by active ingredient assay
Phytocontrol supports and advises pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical and food industries, as well as suppliers of aromatics, PPAM, liquid/dry plant extracts, natural ingredients and spice traders, in active ingredient assay.
