EU Lab Sets New Standards for L-Valine Analysis in Animal Feed

The European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) has issued recommendations for the analysis of L-valine in animal feed. The additive, produced by fermentation with Corynebacterium glutamicum CGMCC 18932, is intended for use across all animal species. Its minimum purity is specified at 98.5%. The applicant sought authorisation under Article 4 for L-valine, which can be mixed into premixtures or added directly to feedingstuffs or drinking water. The EURL has endorsed the EU method for determining total valine in feedingstuffs, with reported repeatability (RSDr) of 1.7 to 3.8% and reproducibility (RSDR) of 8.8 to 16.1%.

For official control, the EURL recommends a ring-trial validated EU method based on ion-exchange chromatography with visible spectroscopy (IEC-VIS) to quantify valine in all matrices. For water specifically, it suggests the VDLUFA method (4.11.6) or an equivalent IEC-VIS/FLD-based approach. The applicant’s studies confirmed the EU method’s applicability for all matrices, including stability and homogeneity tests.

No further testing or validation of these methods is deemed necessary. The recommendations cover the analysis of L-valine in feed and water, supporting its use in animal nutrition. The approved methods provide a clear framework for official control and ensure consistency in quantification across different matrices.