🔬 Nutritional · Pesticides · Allergens · Mycotoxins · Contaminants · CAA · ANMAT · Codex

Chemical Analysis of Food

Full physicochemical characterisation — from nutritional labelling to pesticide residues, mycotoxins, allergens and process contaminants.

Biogroup's food chemistry laboratory provides the complete analytical support for nutritional labelling, quality control, regulatory compliance and export market access — applying AOAC, ISO, FDA, CAA and Codex Alimentarius validated methods. Detection limits satisfy the most rigorous international requirements for sensitivity, specificity and selectivity.

From routine proximate analysis and nutritional panels to highly specialised determinations — MOSH/MOAH mineral oils per EN 16995, 2- and 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters in edible oils, dioxins/furans, and gluten determination for coeliac compliance. Chromatographic methodologies developed in-house for nutritional components not covered by standard methods.

60+ analytes
Full food chemistry panel
100+ pesticides
Multi-residue capability
14 allergens
EU Reg. 1169/2011 panel
+35 years
Food chemistry expertise
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Nutritional labelling compliance
Complete nutritional panels for CAA label declarations, ANMAT product registration and international market requirements — EU 1169/2011, FDA 21 CFR Part 101, Codex Alimentarius. Mandatory declarations plus optional claims substantiation.
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Export market access
Pesticide residue analysis to EU MRL requirements (Reg. 396/2005), US FDA import tolerances and Codex MRLs. Allergen, mycotoxin and process contaminant testing aligned with buyer specifications and destination market regulations.
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In-house method development
For specialised nutritional components not covered by standard methods, Biogroup develops highly complex chromatographic analytical methodologies tailored to the client's food matrix and analytical objective.
Proximate composition and nutritional analysis
The analytical foundation of every nutritional label
Proximate analysis provides the mandatory declarations required by the Argentine CAA, ANMAT, EU Regulation 1169/2011 and FDA 21 CFR Part 101 — the quantitative basis for every nutritional label and product registration dossier.
📊 Mandatory nutritional declarations
• Energy value (kJ/kcal) — calculated from macros
• Total fat (crude fat, Soxhlet/Röse-Gottlieb)
• Saturated fatty acids — GC-FID fatty acid profile
• Trans fatty acids — GC-FID AOAC 996.06
• Cholesterol — GC-FID/GC-MS AOAC 994.10
• Total carbohydrates — by difference
• Dietary fibre — AOAC 985.29 (Prosky)
• Crude fibre — AOAC 962.09
• Total protein — Kjeldahl/Dumas
• Sodium — ICP-OES/AAS
• Moisture — AOAC 925.10 / ISO 1442
💊 Vitamins
• Vitamin A (retinol + β-carotene) — HPLC
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) — HPLC-UV
• Vitamin D (D2 + D3) — HPLC
• Vitamin E (tocopherols) — HPLC-FLD
• Vitamin K (K1, K2) — HPLC
• Thiamine B1 · Riboflavin B2 — HPLC
• Niacin B3 · Pantothenic acid B5
• Pyridoxine B6 · Biotin B7
• Folic acid B9 · Cobalamin B12 — HPLC
⚗️ Minerals & trace elements
• Calcium · Phosphorus — ICP-OES
• Iron · Zinc — ICP-MS/AAS
• Magnesium · Potassium
• Manganese · Copper
• Selenium · Iodine
• Fluoride · Chromium
• Sodium · Chloride
• Total ash — ISO 936 / AOAC 923.03
🍬 Sugars & carbohydrates
• Sugar profile (glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, maltose) — HPLC-RI
• Total sugars · Reducing sugars
• Sucrose · Lactose individually
• Starch — enzymatic method
• Polyalcohols (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol) — HPLC-RI
• Acidity · Total acidity — titration
• pH · Water activity (aₓ)
🧬 Proteins & amino acids
• Total protein — Kjeldahl (N×conversion factor) / Dumas
• Amino acid profile (20 AA) — HPLC-FLD/UV after hydrolysis
• Essential amino acids — Trp, Lys, Met+Cys, Thr, Val, Ile, Leu, Phe+Tyr
• Taurine · Carnitine — HPLC
• Hydroxyproline (collagen indicator) — colorimetric
• Protein quality — PDCAAS / DIAAS calculation
🛢️ Fats & lipid profile
• Fatty acid profile (C4–C24) — GC-FID AOAC 996.06
• Saturated · Monounsaturated · PUFA
• Omega-3 (ALA, EPA, DHA) · Omega-6 (LA, AA)
• Trans fatty acids (C18:1t, C18:2t)
• Sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol) — GC
• Cholesterol · Peroxide value · Acidity
Allergen analysis — 14 regulated allergens under EU Regulation 1169/2011
Allergen detection — ELISA · PCR · ISO 21569 · AOAC 2012.24
Quantitative ELISA for ppm-level detection · PCR for species identification · Cross-contamination assessment · Gluten <20 ppm for "gluten-free" claim

The 14 allergens subject to mandatory declaration under EU Regulation 1169/2011 — equally applicable in the Argentine CAA (Chapter III) and international market requirements. Biogroup applies quantitative ELISA at ppm sensitivity levels and PCR-based species confirmation where required.

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Cereals with gluten
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Milk
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Eggs
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Peanuts
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Tree nuts
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Fish
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Crustaceans
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Molluscs
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Soy
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Celery
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Mustard
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Sesame
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Sulphites
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Lupin
Gluten determination: products manufactured on shared lines with and without gluten require cross-contamination monitoring. Gluten can be present not only in flour-based products but also in sausages, sauces, condiments, prepared meals and certain pharmaceutical excipients. Quantification by ELISA (Mendez/Skerritt method) and R5 ELISA per AOAC 2012.01. Threshold for "gluten-free" claim: <20 mg/kg (20 ppm) per Codex and CAA.
Mycotoxin analysis — the invisible cereal and oilseed contaminants
Mycotoxin determination — HPLC-FLD · HPLC-MS/MS · ELISA · Codex · EU · FDA MRLs
Aflatoxins · Ochratoxin A · Fumonisins · Zearalenone · Deoxynivalenol (DON / vomitoxin) · Patulin · T-2/HT-2

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by moulds — invisible to the naked eye, heat-stable and regulated at ppm/ppb levels in grains, oilseeds, dried fruits and animal feed. Biogroup applies HPLC-FLD, HPLC-MS/MS and immunoaffinity column-based methods for all regulated mycotoxins.

Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2
Peanuts · maize · groundnuts · cottonseed · spices · dried figs. EU limit: 2 µg/kg B1 in cereals
Aflatoxin M1 (milk)
Dairy products — formed from B1 metabolised by cattle. EU limit: 0.05 µg/kg in milk
Ochratoxin A (OTA)
Cereals · coffee · wine · dried fruits · cocoa. IARC 2B. EU limit: 3 µg/kg in cereals
Deoxynivalenol (DON / vomitoxin)
Wheat · barley · oats · maize. Most common Fusarium mycotoxin in cereals. EU limit: 750–1750 µg/kg
Zearalenone
Maize · wheat · barley. Oestrogenic mycotoxin. EU limit: 75–100 µg/kg in cereals
Fumonisins B1+B2
Maize and maize products. Associated with oesophageal cancer. EU limit: 1000–4000 µg/kg
Patulin
Apple juice · cider · apple-based products. EU limit: 50 µg/kg in juice
T-2 and HT-2 toxins
Oats · barley · wheat. Trichothecenes. EFSA guidance values: 15–200 µg/kg by product
Citrinin
Complementary to OTA in cereals · dietary supplements containing red yeast rice
Pesticide residue analysis — multi-class, multi-residue capability
Complete pesticide residue surveillance — from GC-MS multi-residue to HPLC-MS/MS for polar and ionic compounds
Biogroup's pesticide residue programme covers organochlorine, organophosphate, carbamate, pyrethroid, triazine, herbicide and fungicide classes — applied to fresh produce, cereals, processed foods and animal-origin products for both domestic market compliance and export market MRL verification.
🔬 Organochlorine pesticides — GC-MS / GC-ECD (EPA 8081A)
Aldrinα-HCHβ-HCHδ-HCHγ-HCH (Lindane)CaptanCaptafolChlordaneChlorothalonilCypermethrinDDT (p,p'-DDD/DDE/DDT)DichloranDicofolDieldrinEndosulfan I/II/sulphateEndrinFolpetHeptachlorHeptachlor epoxideHexachlorobenzeneMethoxychlorMirexOxadiazonPCBsPermethrinPropyzamideQuintozeneTechnazeneTetradifonToxapheneVinclozolin
⚗️ Organophosphate pesticides — GC-MS / GC-FPD (EPA 8141B)
AcephateAzinphos-methylChlorfenvinphosChlorpyrifos-ethylChlorpyrifos-methylCoumaphosDemeton-SDiazinonDichlorofenthionDichlorvosDimethoateDisulfotonEPNEthionFenitrothionFenthionFonofosMalathionMethamidophosMethidathionMevinphosOmethoateEthyl parathionMethyl parathionPhosalonePhosmetPirimiphos-methylPropetamphosProthiofosRonnelThimetTrithion
🌿 N-Methyl carbamates — HPLC-FLD (FDA PAM)
Aldicarb (Temik)Aldicarb sulfoneAldicarb sulfoxideBendiocarbCarbaryl (Sevin)Carbofuran3-HydroxycarbofuranEthiofencarbMethiocarbMethomylOxamylPromecarbPropoxur (Baygon)
🌾 Triazine & chloroacetamide herbicides — GC-MS
AlachlorAtrazineCyanazineMetolachlorSimazine
Chlorophenoxy acid herbicides:
2,4-D2,4,5-T2,4-DBMCPADicambaPCPP2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
☁️ Volatile fumigants — GC-MS (headspace)
Carbon tetrachlorideChloroformEthylene dibromide (EDB)Methyl bromidePhosphine (phosphide)Trichloroethylene
Applied to grain, cereals, dried fruits and spices treated with fumigation. Particularly important for export shipments.
Process contaminants and emerging food safety concerns
🛢️ MOSH/MOAH — Mineral oil hydrocarbons
EN 16995 · LC-GC-FID · EFSA guidance
Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH) and Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) migrate from recycled paperboard packaging into dry foods. MOAH includes potentially carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic compounds. Determined by LC-GC-FID per European Standard EN 16995. Required for food products in paper/cardboard packaging entering EU markets under the EFSA 2012 guidance.
⚗️ 2- and 3-MCPD esters & glycidyl esters
DGF Standard Method C-VI 18 · GC-MS · edible oils
2- and 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (MCPD) esters and fatty acid glycidyl esters are process contaminants formed in edible oils during high-temperature deodorisation (refining). Glycidyl esters are considered probable human carcinogens (IARC 2A). EU maximum levels apply to infant formula and edible oils. Analysis by DGF Standard Method C-VI 18 (indirect) or AOCS Cd 29c-13.
☣️ Dioxins & Furans in food
HRGC-HRMS · EU Reg. 1259/2011 · i-TEQ / TEQ reporting
PCDD/PCDF and dioxin-like PCBs in fish, animal fat, eggs and feed. The most complex food contaminant analysis — requiring HRGC-HRMS at pg/g fat levels. Biogroup partners with Keika Ventures LLC (USA) for HRGC-HRMS analysis per EPA 1613/8290. Results reported as WHO-TEQ with upper and lower bound values per EU Regulation 1259/2011.
🏭 Heavy metals in food
ICP-MS · ICP-OES · EU Reg. 1881/2006 · CAA limits
Lead (Pb) · Cadmium (Cd) · Mercury (Hg) · Arsenic (As) · Tin (Sn) · Chromium (Cr) · Nickel (Ni) · Copper (Cu). EU maximum levels under Regulation 1881/2006. Specific attention to cadmium in cereals, leafy vegetables and cacao; lead in fish; inorganic arsenic in rice; mercury in predatory fish species.
Food additives, preservatives and antioxidants

Verification that additives are present within CAA-authorised limits and that undeclared additives are absent — critical for labelling compliance, product registration and import/export inspections.

Preservatives
Benzoic acid · sorbic acid · propionic acid · natamycin — HPLC-UV
Nitrates & nitrites
NO₃⁻ / NO₂⁻ in cured meats · ion chromatography or colorimetric
Sulphites / SO₂
Total sulphites in wine, dried fruit, seafood — Monier-Williams / ion chromatography
Antioxidants
BHA, BHT, TBHQ, PG — HPLC-UV in oils and fat-containing foods
Artificial dyes
Tartrazine, brilliant blue, sunset yellow, carmoisine, amaranth — HPLC
Sweeteners
Saccharin · acesulfame-K · aspartame · cyclamate · sucralose — HPLC
Antibiotics
Tetracyclines · sulphonamides · β-lactams · macrolides — HPLC-MS/MS in animal products
Phosphates
Added phosphates in processed meats — ICP-OES
Food categories we analyse
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Cereals & grains
Wheat · rice · maize · oats · pesticides · mycotoxins
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Edible oils
MCPD · glycidyl esters · fatty acid profile · sterols
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Dairy products
Nutritional · mycotoxin M1 · antibiotics · adulterants
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Meat & poultry
Additives · antibiotics · fat composition · nitrates
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Fish & seafood
Heavy metals · dioxins · histamine · moisture
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Fresh produce
Pesticide residues · nitrates · nutritional
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Cocoa & chocolate
Heavy metals · mycotoxins · fat composition
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Coffee & beverages
Ochratoxin A · pesticides · acrylamide · additives
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Honey
Antibiotics · pesticides · adulteration · HFCS
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Spices & herbs
Pesticides · mycotoxins · authenticity · lead
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Dietary supplements
Active content · contaminants · vitamins · minerals
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Infant formula
MCPD · glycidyl esters · minerals · Cronobacter
Reference method organisations
Internationally validated methods applied at Biogroup
AOAC
Association of Official Analytical Chemists
Official Methods of Analysis — the primary reference for food chemical analysis worldwide. AOAC 2012.01 (gluten), AOAC 996.06 (fatty acids), AOAC 985.29 (dietary fibre)
ISO
International Organization for Standardization
ISO 1442 · 936 · 3960 · 5497 · 6579 · 8968 · 21569 — grain, oils, dairy, meat and allergen methods
FDA
Food and Drug Administration
Pesticide Analytical Manual (PAM) · Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) · 21 CFR Part 101 labelling
Codex Alimentarius
FAO/WHO Joint Food Standards Programme
Codex MRLs for pesticides and contaminants · Codex general standard for contaminants CXS 193
EU Regulations
European Union food law
Reg. 396/2005 (pesticide MRLs) · Reg. 1881/2006 (contaminants) · Reg. 1169/2011 (labelling) · Reg. 2073/2005
AFNOR / DIN
French and German standards
AFNOR certification for rapid methods · DGF Standard Methods for edible oils
USP / BP / FNA
Pharmacopoeial methods
Applied to dietary supplements, nutraceuticals and functional foods with pharmaceutical analogy
ICMSF
Int. Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods
Sampling plans and risk-based microbiological criteria for combined micro/chemical programmes
APHA
Standard Methods (AWWA/APHA/WEF)
Applied where food matrices require water/wastewater-analogous analytical approaches
Related services
Nutritional · Pesticides · Allergens · Mycotoxins · MOSH/MOAH · MCPD · Dioxins
Need chemical analysis for your food products?
From a routine nutritional label panel to a complete export market clearance programme including pesticide residues, mycotoxins, allergens and process contaminants — Biogroup delivers the analytical data you need.
Request food chemical analysis →
📞 +54 341 425-6431 📞 +54 341 447-4486 ✉ biogroup@biogroup.com.ar 📍 3 de febrero 920 · Rosario, Argentina Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00