Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA) Testing: Ensuring Safety in Herbal and Food Products

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are naturally occurring plant toxins found in more than 6,000 plant species worldwide. These compounds can unintentionally enter the food chain when PA-producing weeds grow alongside crops, contaminate herbal ingredients, or mix with plant materials during harvesting.

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA) Testing

Due to their potential to cause liver toxicity, genotoxic damage, and long-term carcinogenic effects, global authorities consider PAs a major contaminant in herbal teas, honey, spices, dietary supplements, and botanical extracts.

Eurofins Food Testing Laboratories provide advanced testing solutions for the detection and profiling of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, helping manufacturers, processors, and exporters maintain product safety and regulatory compliance.

Why Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids Enter Food Products

Cause	Description
Weed Infestation	PA-producing weeds grow near crops such as chamomile, buckwheat, cinnamon, mint, or green leafy herbs
Cross-Contamination During Harvest	Mixing of PA-containing weeds with edible plant material during cutting or bundling
Contaminated Herbal Raw Materials	Certain medicinal plants naturally contain PAs and may transfer them to blended herbal products
Bee Foraging Patterns	Bees collect nectar from PA-containing flowers, leading to residues in honey
Poor Sorting or Cleaning	Insufficient removal of contaminated leaves, stems, or flowers
Global Sourcing Variability	Ingredients sourced from high-risk regions without adequate screening

PAs frequently enter food unintentionally, making routine laboratory surveillance essential for supply chain safety.

Health Risks Associated with Pas

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are metabolized in the liver into reactive compounds that bind to DNA and proteins. This may lead to:

Liver toxicity and hepatic failure
Genotoxic and mutagenic effects
Long-term carcinogenic risk
Veno-occlusive disease (blood vessel blockage)
Reduced safety of herbal and traditional medicines

Regular monitoring allows manufacturers to detect contamination early and prevent exposure in sensitive populations.

Regulatory Overview

Fssai

India, through FSSAI, actively participates and contributes in the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) work, particularly in five Electronic Working Groups (EWGs). One key focus area is the review of the Code of Practice for the prevention and reduction of pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination in food and feed, as outlined in Codex CXC 74-2014.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915, adopted on April 25, 2023, sets maximum levels for certain contaminants in food, including pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). It repeals the previous Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 and came into effect on May 25, 2023, with the purpose of enhancing food safety by establishing more stringent contaminant limits to protect public health.

Key points about Regulation (EU) 2023/915:

It introduces maximum allowable limits for pyrrolizidine alkaloids in foods like tea, herbal infusions, honey, dried herbs, cumin, botanical supplements, and borage leaves.
For borage, specifically, the maximum levels for the sum of PAs are set at 750 µg/kg for fresh and frozen leaves and 1000 µg/kg for dried leaves.
The regulation also sets updated limits for heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and nickel in various food products.
It aims to protect vulnerable populations including children and pregnant women from the risks associated with PAs and other contaminants.
This regulation consolidates previous amendments and updates for contaminant levels, streamlining the regulatory framework to improve clarity and safety compliance in the EU food market.

Parameters That Should Be Tested

Testing PAs involves screening multiple compounds simultaneously because each plant species produces different alkaloids. A comprehensive analytical program should include:

Total PA Content

Covers the full group of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids present in the sample.

Individual PA Profiling

Specific alkaloids such as senecionine, retrorsine, jacobine, heliotrine, lasiocarpine, and their N-oxides.

PA N-Oxides

Important because these derivatives convert to toxic forms during digestion.

Botanical Source Identification

Determines whether contamination originated from specific PA-producing weed species.

Raw Material vs Finished Product Testing

Ensures both ingredients and final packaged items meet regulatory expectations.

Seasonal and Batch Variability Testing

PAs vary with harvest time and region; periodic monitoring prevents supply chain risks.

Eurofins Analytical Capabilities

Eurofins laboratories use advanced analytical platforms to accurately detect and quantify PAs in complex herbal and food matrices.

Technologies Used

LC-MS/MS multi-residue analysis for targeted PA detection
High-resolution mass spectrometry for confirmation
Isotope dilution techniques for consistent accuracy
Multi-matrix validation for teas, herbs, spices, honey, botanicals, and supplements

Sample Types Covered

Herbal teas and infusions
Medicinal plant extracts
Spices and dried herbs
Honey and bee products
Nutraceuticals and dietary supplements
Botanical blends and seasonings

Why PA Testing Is Important for Your Business

Benefit	Impact
Compliance with International Standards	Avoids border rejections and market withdrawal
Protection of Brand Reputation	Demonstrates commitment to product safety
Quality Control in Sourcing	Detects contaminated ingredients early
Consumer Safety Assurance	Reduces risk of chronic toxicity
Support for Export Documentation	Meets regulatory requirements of EU, UK, USA, and Asia

Eurofins PA Testing Workflow

Step	Objective	Service Provided
Sample Receipt	Ensure integrity and traceability	Controlled sample handling through SmartLIMS
Screening	Detect presence of PA residues	LC-MS/MS multi-panel scanning
Confirmation	Verify identity of alkaloids	High-resolution MS confirmation
Interpretation	Understand contamination pattern	Expert scientific assessment
Reporting	Provide export-ready documentation	Clear digital CoA and compliance summary

Case Study: PA Reduction in Herbal Infusions

Challenge
A European herbal tea blender detected excessive PA levels in a mixed-flower product targeted for export.

Eurofins Intervention

Performed batch-wise PA profiling
Identified contamination from Senecio weed fragments
Recommended supplier change and enhanced cleaning process

Outcome
PA levels dropped to acceptable limits, enabling successful EU market release.

Why Choose Eurofins

Extensive experience in botanical and herbal contaminant testing
Globally accredited laboratories
Advanced instrumentation for accurate PA profiling
Rapid sample processing and digital reporting
Expert advisory for supplier management and corrective actions

Ensure your herbal and food products are safe, compliant, and export-ready through accurate pyrrolizidine alkaloid testing.

Partner with Eurofins today to:

Detect PAs with high precision
Improve raw material quality
Protect consumers and your brand

Enquire now: www.eurofins.in/food-testing/enquire-now/