The infrastructure offers analysis of biomarkers for quality, safety, authenticity, and traceability (QSAT-Analysis) with applications to the authenticity and traceability of food based on stable isotope approach, elemental composition and other analysis (fatty acids, VOCs, amino acids).

The approach could be used to verify authenticity of food products (wild vs. aquaculture, organic vs. conventional), geographical and botanical origin determination; safety of food products in relation to elemental analysis specifically toxic elements such as Pb, Cd, Hg and Hg speciation (inorganic, organic MeHg) and stable isotopes of Hg to determine the sources of Hg, Se speciation. Organic contaminants such as new emerging contaminants (CEC, PAH, pesticides, …) using target, suspect, non-target analysis.

Infrastructure:

Mass spectrometry: UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS, ICP-MS, ICP-MS QQQ, LA-ICP-MS, LC-ICP-MS, GC-ICP-MS, SP-ICP-MS, GC(IT)MS, GC-MSD, LC-MS/MS; Spectrophotometry: HG AFS, CV AFS, CV AFS , Raman spectroscopy;

Isotope ratio mass spectrometry: EA-IRMS, GC-C-IRMS, DI-IRMS, Py-IRMS, MC-ICP-MS;

Nuclear methods: TRIGA MARK II nuclear reactor, alpha, beta and gamma counting; 

Types of access:

• Access can be both on-site and remote, based on actual costs. Users will be able to carry out the work by themselves but technical and scientific support is available. They can also ship samples for analysis. The access includes experimental set-up, to be defined according to the specific information provided by the users, organization, sample pre-treatment and analytical measurements, data processing and elaboration results. Typically, the provision of a service requires 1-2 weeks per access, but it can vary according to the type and number of samples.

• Users have access to facilities, the internet and technical and scientific support.

• Logistic support to find accommodation or other amenities is also provided.