Determination of Fluvic acid

Introduction

Have you ever wondered about the hidden components in your food that contribute to its nutritional value and overall health benefits? Fluvic acid is one such lesser-known but essential element that plays a crucial role in the nutritional profile of various foods. Let's delve deeper into this topic and explore how it can be determined and understood through food laboratory testing, including information on food allergy testing and nutrition facts labels.

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Understanding Fluvic Acid

Fluvic acid is a complex organic substance formed during the decomposition of plant and microbial matter in soil and water. It is known for its dark brown to black color and plays a significant role in the transportation of nutrients from soil to plants. Besides its role in plant nutrition, fluvic acid offers a plethora of health benefits when consumed through food.

Health Benefits of Fluvic Acid

Importance of testing

Regulations and standards

The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) has also issued some guidance on the use of fulvic acid. The Ministry of AYUSH has stated that fulvic acid is a safe and effective ingredient in Ayurvedic medicines. However, the Ministry of AYUSH has not issued any specific guidance on the use of fulvic acid in foods. In the context of food safety and regulations, it's worth noting that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also not issued any regulations for fulvic acid in foods. However, the EFSA has reviewed the safety of fulvic acid and concluded that it is safe for human consumption. The EFSA also set a maximum daily intake of 100 mg per kilogram of body weight for fulvic acid. For those interested in ensuring the safety and compliance of food products containing fulvic acid, it's advisable to seek testing and analysis services from an accredited and FSSAI approved food testing lab near you. These labs can provide valuable insights into the composition and safety of such food products

Determination and Sampling analysis Methods

To unravel the secrets of fluvic acid and understand its presence and concentration, scientists employ various analytical techniques, including sampling and analysis. Here are some commonly used methods:

UV-Vis Spectroscopy: This method relies on the absorption of ultraviolet and visible light by fluvic acid molecules. By measuring the absorbance at specific wavelengths, scientists can estimate its concentration in a sample.

Fluorescence Spectroscopy: Fluvic acid exhibits natural fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light. This property can be exploited to detect and quantify its presence. Different types of fluorescence spectroscopy, such as excitation-emission matrices (EEMs), provide valuable information about the composition of fluvic acid.

Chemical Precipitation: Fluvic acid can be isolated from a sample by using chemical precipitation techniques. For example, adding metallic ions like aluminium or iron to water samples can facilitate the removal and subsequent measurement of fluvic acid.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): HPLC is a powerful analytical technique that separates and quantifies various components in a mixture. It can be used to separate fluvic acid from other organic compounds and determine its concentration accurately.

Mass Spectrometry: Mass spectrometry allows researchers to identify and quantify fluvic acid molecules based on their mass-to-charge ratio. This method is particularly useful for characterizing the structural diversity of fluvic acid.

Eurofins role in determination of Fluvic acid

Eurofins is a global laboratory testing and scientific services company with a wide range of expertise in analytical chemistry and environmental testing. While Eurofins offers a variety of services related to soil and water analysis, they can certainly play a significant role in the determination of fluvic acid concentration and characterization.

Here's how Eurofins may be involved in the determination of fluvic acid:

Sample Collection and Preparation: Eurofins can assist in the collection and preparation of soil, water, or organic matter samples from various environments, including agricultural fields, aquatic ecosystems, or even dietary supplements. Proper sample handling is crucial to obtain accurate results.

Analytical Techniques: Eurofins laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art analytical instruments and experienced scientists who can perform a range of analytical techniques for fluvic acid determination. This may include:

1. Spectroscopy: Eurofins can use UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy to measure the absorbance and fluorescence properties of fluvic acid in a sample, helping to estimate its concentration and characterize its properties.
2. Chemical Analysis: Eurofins can employ chemical precipitation methods to isolate fluvic acid from complex mixtures, followed by chemical analysis to quantify its concentration.
3. Chromatography: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) can be used to separate and quantify fluvic acid from other organic compounds in a sample with high precision.
4. Mass Spectrometry: Eurofins can utilize mass spectrometry to identify and characterize the molecular structure of fluvic acid, providing valuable insights into its composition.

Data Interpretation and Reporting: Eurofins' team of experts can interpret the analytical data generated from these techniques and provide comprehensive reports that detail the concentration, properties, and potential implications of fluvic acid in the sample.

Environmental and Agricultural Applications: Eurofins' services can be invaluable in assessing the impact of fluvic acid on soil health, water quality, and agricultural productivity. This information can be vital for environmental monitoring and sustainable land management practices.

Nutritional Analysis: Eurofins can also assist in nutritional analysis, helping to determine the presence and concentration of fluvic acid in dietary supplements or natural products, ensuring they meet regulatory and safety standards.

Eurofins Analytical Services India, located in Bangalore, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving recognition from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program. This makes Eurofins the first laboratory in Asia to receive such recognition.

References

1. Lawrence, J. (1979). Semi-quantitative determination of fulvic acid, tannin and lignin in natural waters. Water Research, 14(4), 373-377. https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1354(80)90085-8
2. Jarukas, L., Ivanauskas, L., Kasparaviciene, G., Baranauskaite, J., Marksa, M., & Bernatoniene, J. (2021). Determination of Organic Compounds, Fulvic Acid, Humic Acid, and Humin in Peat and Sapropel Alkaline Extracts. Molecules, 26(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26102995

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