Tropane alkaloids in plant-derived foodstuffs
Maximum levels for cereals and herbal tea as of September 2022
May 2023 (update). With effect from 1 September 2022, the European Commission set new maximum levels for tropane alkaloids in certain foodstuffs with Regulation (EU) 2021/1408 amending Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006. The already applicable maximum levels for atropine and scopolamine of 1 µg/kg each in cereal-based foods containing millet, sorghum millet or buckwheat were extended to cereal-based baby foods containing maize. In addition, further maximum levels for the sum of atropine and scopolamine were established for some cereals and herbal teas. Food legally placed on the market by the end of August 2022 may remain on the market until their best-before date or use-by date. In May 2023, the maximum levels were transferred to the new Contaminants Regulation (EU) 2023/915[1].
Occurrence of tropane alkaloids
Tropane alkaloids are secondary plant metabolites produced by numerous plants of the genera Brassicaceae, Convolvulaceae, Moraceae and Solanaceae. The plant parts or seeds of these species are toxic and – if they grow near crops – can be caught during harvesting and thus unintentionally enter food and animal feed.
Tropane alkaloids as contaminants in in food and feed
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) tropane alkaloids are of particular toxicological relevance in cereals and cereal-based baby food, buckwheat, oilseeds such as flax and sunflower seeds, soy products and herbal teas. These products may get contaminated by plant parts, mostly the seeds, from certain plants containing tropane alkaloids. The main sources of botanical contamination are the seeds of Datura stramonium (common datura) and other genera of Datura, and the berries of Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) and Hyoscamus niger (henbane).
Product groups with maximum levels
Maximum levels were already in effect for the following commodity groups:
- cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children containing millet, sorghum millet, buckwheat or maize
New maximum levels for the following commodity groups came into effect on 1 September 2022:
- millet and sorghum millet
- maize
- buckwheat
- herbal tea
Toxicology
Although more than 200 different tropane alkaloids have been identified in numerous plants so far, relevant data on their toxicology is limited. (-)-Hyoscyamine and (-)-scopolamine are among the most studied tropane alkaloids. Unlike their enantiomers, these two compounds are formed naturally. The racemate of (-)-hyoscyamine and (+)-hyoscyamine is called atropine. EFSA issued a scientific opinion regarding the acute reference dose (group ARfD) of 0.016 µg/kg body weight for the sum of (-)-hyoscyamine and (-)-scopolamine[2].
Analysis of tropane alkaloids
Our experts from the Competence Center for Mycotoxins and Plant Toxins have extensive experience with LC-MS/MS analysis of tropane alkaloids in all relevant food and feed matrices. The analysis offered meets the EU requirements for analytical limits of quantification. In addition to the analysis of atropine and scopolamine, we also offer the analysis of the tropane alkaloids anisodamine, norscopolamine and convolvin in tea and herbal tea.
Please contact us
Do you have questions about the analysis of tropane alkaloids? Please contact your personal account manager or our expert Carina Kellner.
Relevant regulations and references
[1] Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (Contaminants-Regulation)
[2] EFSA Journal 2013;11(10):3386: Scientific Opinion on Tropane alkaloids in food and feed
