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Development and validation of the modular Feed-code method for qualitative and quantitative determination of feed botanical composition

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Abstract

The analysis of feed composition in terms of ingredients is addressed by Regulation (EC) 767/2009 and is important for detecting economic fraud and for monitoring feed safety. Within the framework of the EU project Feed-code, we developed and internally validated a modular assay, relying on intron polymorphism, for the complete qualitative analysis of the botanical composition of feed and the quantitative determination of six target plant species. Main performance parameters of each module, such as applicability, repeatability, specificity, and limit of detection, were evaluated. The whole assay was applied to a set of feed-like samples and results were in agreement with the expected composition. Application to a large set of compound feed and individual raw materials revealed the occurrence of botanical impurities. When compared with microscopic analysis, the proposed method gave more reliable results. We conclude that the Feed-code prototype, readily upgradable to include more plant species, is worthy of consideration for a full validation through a collaborative trial.

The modular Feed-code method for the authentication of feed botanical composition

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Acknowledgments

The study was funded by the European Commission Seventh Framework Program, Feed-code Project, Grant Agreement no. 315464, http://www.feedcode-project.eu. The authors wish to thank LABOR Srl for the fruitful collaboration in the software development, and all those partners of the Feed-code Project who collaborated by providing test samples and helpful suggestions.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Istituto Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, Via A. Corti 12, 20133, Milan, Italy

      Luca Braglia, Silvia Gianì, Diego Breviario, Floriana Gavazzi, Francesco Mastromauro & Laura Morello

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    1. Luca Braglia
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    2. Silvia Gianì
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    3. Diego Breviario
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    4. Floriana Gavazzi
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    5. Francesco Mastromauro
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    6. Laura Morello
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    Correspondence to Laura Morello.

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    The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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    Luca Braglia and Silvia Gianì contributed equally to this work.

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    Braglia, L., Gianì, S., Breviario, D. et al. Development and validation of the modular Feed-code method for qualitative and quantitative determination of feed botanical composition. Anal Bioanal Chem 408, 8299–8316 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-016-9943-8

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