1) The Manufacturing Process

• Ingredient activity - actual vs. declared concentration
• Ingredient weighment - scale accuracy, equipment error
• Mixing/Packaging - composition of premix and its tendency to separate

2) Sampling variation

• It is important to have a representative composite sample vs. grab sample

3) Between lab variation (lab-to-lab)

• Are the labs measuring the same thing ie., Ascorbic acid vs. ascorbyl monophosphate
• Are they using the appropriate methodology ie., Additional enzyme step required for vitamin A or D3 from cross-linked beadlet sources

4) Within lab variation (technician-to-technician)

• Are the samples mixed and prepared in the same manner to ensure complete extraction?

5) True analytical variation (method)

• Variation is determined by repeated analysis on the same sample
• Variation due to the method alone is typically 10% to 15% dependent on target nutrient

When you consider the above sources of variation and the sample size required to conduct the test is between 1 gram and 5 grams to represent an entire batch of premix, a result of 85% of your target level is excellent!

Want to learn more on this topic or have additional questions? Please reach out to your dsm-firmenich account representative.