New Regulation for Ergot Alkaloids Will Take Effect on January 1, 2022
On January 1, 2022, a new EU regulation setting thresholds for ergot sclerotia and ergot alkaloids will come into effect. These regulations apply to a variety of commodities both produced inside and imported to EU member countries.
Claviceps fungi (most prominently Claviceps purpurea) produce several separate compounds that are grouped together as ergot alkaloids; the 12 regulated compounds include ergotamine, ergometrine and α-ergosine. The molds affect a wide variety of grass species and small grains, with rye being the most common agricultural host.
Producers of raw materials, food and feed need to protect both animals and humans from the consumption of goods contaminated with ergot alkaloids. They are known to cause dermal necrosis and affect production (weight gain, eggs, milk). They also cause gangrenous syndromes, neuropathological changes, digestive disorders and reduced weight gain.
Examples of the new threshold are 0.5 g/kg of sclerotia in unprocessed rye and 150 ppb ergot alkaloids in milling products of barley, wheat, spelt and oats.
Romer Labs can help you test for ergot alkaloids.
Romer Labs offers analytical services for ergot alkaloids and a broad variety of other mycotoxins at our ISO 17025-accredited laboratories in Austria, Singapore and the United States.
Biopure™ Reference Materials for ergot alkaloids are available in a dried-down format. All Biopure™ calibrants are high quality mycotoxin reference materials characterized by appropriate independent methods, like HPLC, NMR and LC-MS/MS.
The MycoSep® 150 Ergot Alkaloid Clean-up Column ensures a fast and reliable purification of your samples.
Learn more about Romer Labs solutions for ergot alkaloid testing.
