Project
NEw opeN Strategy for impUrity suRveillance of commErcial microbial fermentation fooD products: Food supplements and vitamins as proof of concept (ENSURED)
Microbial fermentation products are massively used and consumed. Purity of these products is thus crucially important, especially in case of direct intake, as usually occurs for food supplements and vitamins. Currently, the industries are responsible for the quality of their commercialized microbial fermentation products. However, several unexpected impurities of biological origin, including genetically modified microorganisms (GMM) and allergens, were recently reported, suggesting frequent contaminations. The current control allows only to target specific impurities and is labor-intensive due to the need to use various methodologies, expertise and technologies. In ENSURED we propose to develop an innovative and universal open strategy that can simultaneously monitor various types of impurities .
Research approach
The difference with the current analysis and control approach is that this universal open strategy can be performed without any prior knowledge of a possible impurity. It also uses a more limited number of technological platforms (High throughput sequencing and High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS)). We develop the universal strategy as a proof-of-concept using microbial fermentation products like food supplements/vitamins. This strategy is then used in a pilot monitoring study to provide a first picture of the frequency and characteristics of impurities of biological origin present in commercialized microbial fermentation products.
Relevance/Valorisation
We expect the fundamentally different approach, and thus the evidence-based results, to provide the competent authorities (FASFC, EFSA, DG SANTE, etc.) with an opportunity to react in the right way: to reduce associated risks and strengthen quality control of food supplements and food products.