IFFO and the Peruvian Instituto Tecnológico de la Producción (ITP) have just signed an agreement to jointly develop activities for the generation of R+D+i projects to screen the efficacy of a range of potential antioxidants in fishmeal.
With ethoxyquin’s future as an antioxidant in feed ingredients and feedstuffs remaining uncertain, IFFO is investigating the potential of other antioxidants for the stabilisation of fishmeal. IFFO, together with the assistance of the ITP are developing a comparative study of new technologies related to the stability of the lipid component in fishmeal through the use of oxygen bomb methodology-based equipment, including the Oxytest and Rapidoxy 100.
The Rapidoxy 100 has been kindly supplied by Anton Paar and was delivered to the ITP in Lima personally by IFFO staff in December 2019. Anton Paar is supporting this work and will train the technical professionals of the ITP in the installation and operation of the Rapidoxy 100 equipment. The project shall start to produce data on a range of other antioxidants in fishmeal under controlled conditions in the laboratory in the early months of 2020.
RapidOxy 100 is a compact stand-alone instrument which allows the determination of the oxidation stability of products according to ASTM D8206. The instrument features a unique and extremely fast measuring principle to provide the induction period of samples as indication of the oxidation and storage stability. Due to highly accurate temperature control and the fully automatic measurement, an excellent precision of test results is guaranteed. The small sample amount of only 5mL or 4 g is beneficial, especially when it comes to the investigation of costly antioxidants to improve the lifetime of the sample.
Why are anti-oxidants needed in fishmeal?
During the storage of animal feed, lipid oxidation may occur. This process results in food rancidity which leads to a loss of quality through effects on taste, scent and colour, as well as a decrease of shelf life of the feed. It also leads to the loss of nutritionally important omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins. Antioxidants protect against lipid oxidation and the generation of potentially toxic substances (i.e. ketones and aldehydes) thereby preserving the quality and nutritional value of the product.
For safety reasons the use of an antioxidant is compulsory (by law and is a requirement in international shipping regulations and insurance policies) during transportation of certain ingredients that contain fats, such as fishmeal. Anti-oxidants are of importance in fishmeal transportation where they stabilise the product, protect against self-heating and manage the risk of combustion during shipping.
What is the current status of Ethoxyquin?
Currently ethoxyquin is not allowed to be used in the European Union. Ethoxyquin still awaits an updated scientific opinion by the European Food Standards Agency (EFSA) and a subsequent decision on reauthorisation in the EU by the European Commission, with a decision now expected in 2020. In the meantime, ethoxyquin has been banned in the EU, after the “hard stop” written into the partial ban issued in 2015 came into effect in October 2019. Another synthetic antioxidant used in the stabilisation of fishmeal, BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) is also within a reauthorisation process in the EU, with a decision expected in 2020 or 2021.
The Instituto Tecnológico de la Producción (ITP)
The Technological Institute of Production (ITP) is a specialized Technical Organization, under the competence of the Ministry of Production, which coordinates and strengthens the work of the product innovation and technology transfer Centers - CITE assigned to the ITP.
The CITE are strategic partners that assist companies in improving their competitiveness and productivity assuring quality, generating added value and promoting access to markets.
In the project to trial novel anti-oxidants for fishmeal, the CITE Pesquero Callao will be involved; for that, personnel will receive training in the use of the Rapidoxy 100.
Anton Paar
Founded in 1922 in Graz (Austria) Anton Paar develops, produces and distributes highly accurate laboratory instruments and process measuring systems, and provides custom-tailored automation and robotic solutions.
Over 3,500 employees at the headquarters in Graz, eight other producing subsidiaries, and 32 sales subsidiaries worldwide ensure that Anton Paar products live up to their excellent reputation. The core competence of Anton Paar – high-precision production – and close contact to the scientific community form the basis for the quality of Anton Paar’s instruments.
Photos: ITP