Seafood Testing at the National Measurement Institute
Antimicrobials:
Composition & Nutritional Analysis, Functional Components:
Antimicrobials are used in aquaculture to prevent the
spread of bacteria and disease and to improve efficiency in
production. The use of some antimicrobials is allowed as
long as the seafood contains less than the regulatory
Maximum Residue Level (MRL), others are prohibited by
food safety regulations.
The NMI has extensive experience in food composition
analysis; including nutritional & composition work for Food
Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). We offer a
complete range of food composition testing services for
industry and regulatory agencies. We also offer a range of
functional component analyses, including:
NMI offers Microbial Inhibition Testing (MIT) screening for
B-lactams, Cephalosporins, Tetracyclines, Sulphonamides,
Macrolides & Aminoglycosides with LCMS/MS confirmation
for positive results and LCMS/MS techniques for Malachite
Green, Fluoroquinolones and Nitrofurans.
Vitamins A, carotenes, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B5, B6, B12, C
(ascorbic acid), D group, E group, choline, biotin & folates.
Fatty acid profile including Omega 3, Omega 6, Saturated,
Unsaturated, Polyunsaturated, Monounsaturated and
Trans fat
Toxins:
There are four syndromes associated with Shellfish
Poisoning which include Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning,
Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning, Diarrheal Shellfish Poisoning
and Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning. These are primarily
associated with filter feeders such as bivalve molluscs.
Ciguatera is another foodborne illness caused by eating
affected reef fish.
NMI currently offers PSP analysis by LCMS and Domoic acid
by HPLC with the view to add the other toxins later this
year.
Histamines:
Scrombroid poisoning is a foodborne illness that can result
from eating fish that has been temperature abused. The
presence of Histamine in fish is an indication of protein
breakdown and is implicated in scrombroid poisoning.
Contaminants & Industrial Pollution:
Agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides, are commonly
used to control insects & weeds in horticulture industries.
Runoff can carry these chemicals into aquatic environments
where they accumulate in the sediment, plankton and algae
which are then ingested by the fish. Similarly, industrial
wastes such as organic compounds and heavy metals can
also accumulate in the environment.
NMI offers a wide range of agrichemical residues including
Organochlorines, Organophosphates, Herbicides, Phenoxy
Acid Herbicides, Acaricides, Synthetic Pyrethroids and
Fungicides in all matrices including fish, fish feed, sediment,
soil and water.
Ultra Trace Contaminants:
NMI analyses dioxins, furans, PCBs, PBDEs and other
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in a range of materials
at ultra-trace levels. These compounds are by-products
from industrial processes or forest fires which build up in
the environment and can be ingested by biota
NMI Seafood Analytical Services Version 2.3 June 2014
Trace Elements:
Heavy metals such as Lead, Mercury and Inorganic Arsenic
are found naturally in the environment and can become
concentrated due to human activities such as mining,
industrial waste and emissions.
Heavy metals are hard to metabolise and bioaccumulation
in seafood carries over to human consumption.
Seafood is also an excellent source of minerals such as
Calcium, Zinc, Iron, Potassium and Copper which are
important in maintaining a healthy diet.
NMI can test for a range of heavy metals & minerals in
seafood, sediment, soil and water. An example is the
testing of Cadmium in prawns for export requirements.
Microbiology:
NMI can test for a range of pathogenic organisms
commonly found in seafood such as Bacillus, Clostridium,
Staphylococcus, Listeria, Salmonella and Vibrio species.
NMI also offer a range of foods spoilage indicators
such as E. Coli, plate counts, coliforms, yeast &
moulds, and spore counts.
For further information please contact:
1/153 Bertie Street
Port Melbourne VIC
3207
Phone: +61 3 9644 4888
Hotline: 1300 722 845
Facsimile: +61 3 9644 4999
Email:
[email protected]
www.measurement.gov.au
ABN: 74 599 608 295
Seafood Testing at the National Measurement Institute - NMI
The National Measurement Institute
(NMI) is a division of the Federal
Department of Industry. We offer a
broad range of analytical services
applicable to the seafood industry.
Spanning biological and chemical
testing, NMI is well positioned to
undertake specialised investigative or
consulting
work,
and
method
development, to support the unique
needs of the industry. Indicators of
spoilage, agricultural residues from
runoff, contamination from industrial
pollution, trace elements, compositional
and nutritional analyses are all routinely
tested in our NATA accredited
laboratories.
NMI has an ongoing commitment to
high quality measurement services, and
nurturing world class Australian
research. We welcome you to contact us
on the website or through the hotline
number below to see how we can help
you with the technical challenges you
may be facing.
In
Development
Antimicrobials
& Veterinary
compounds
Toxins
• PSTs
• Domoic Acid
• Viruses
• Ciguatoxins
In
Development
Histamines
• Scrombroid
poisoning
• Speciation
Authenticity
verification
Seafood
Testing at
NMI
Contaminants
Microbiology
• Agrichemical
residues
• Industrial
pollution
• Salmonella,
Vibrio, E. coli,
Listeria
Trace Elements
• Lead, Mercury,
Cadmium,
Inorganic
Arsenic, Iodine
Ultra Trace
Contaminants
Dioxins and
PCBs
Composition
and Nutritional
Analysis
Contact: [email protected]
Hotline : 1300 722 845