Livelab

ZEA (Zearalenone)

What is "ZON"

ZEA = Zearalenone. This is the toxin that the UK milling industry requires analysing
ZON = Zearalenol. This is the metabolite of ZEA.
Some people incorrectly ask for ZON when they mean ZEA.
Yes we know this all sounds very much like "boffin talk" but depending upon where you send your samples for analysis, this could affect the test that you get!

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a toxin caused by fusarium. It is especially prevalent in maize and crops following maize. It is an estrogenic compound and under prolonged exposure can seriously affect fertility in animals.

About DON testing

Mycotoxin testing, using rapid methods is notoriously variable. This in part is down to sampling and technicion error. Sampling cannot be controlled from the laboratory and so we do everything we can to reduce technician error. Pre-use checks are made here to all instruments, including pipettes, incubator, balance, water dispenser and reader. This is not the case at all laboratories.

Proficiency Testing...

Most laboratories do not participate in external proficiency testing for ZEA analysis. External proficiency testing compares analysis results between laboratories and is an important tool in reporting results with confidence. Livelab is the only independent laboratory in the UK that is proficiency tested on our rapid mycotoxin tests. We also administer the ring check scheme, comprising mainly millers and merchants in house laboratories.

Cost

1 sample £35
2 -5 samples £30 / sample
5+ samples £26 / sample