CFN Italy Central Laboratory
The CFN Italy Central Laboratory is located in Fiorenzuola d’Arda (PC). Analyses are made here on raw materials, finished products and fodder on request of all CFN’s Italian plants.
CFN Italy Central Laboratory is also actively involved in many international research projects carried out by the Group and it also gives analytical support to some European countries.
Central Laboratory is responsible for:
- Analysis for all CFN plants in Italy;
- NIR calibrations and their maintenance;
- Analytical support to cross-business units projects
Main parameters analyzed
Crude protein Method Dumas – Soluble protein – Nitrates – Crude Lipids – Lipid acid hydrolysis – Free fatty acids – Iodine – Value of peroxides – Acid detergent fiber ADF – Neutral detergent fiber NDF – Crude fiber – Starch – Crude ash – Moisture – Analysis of minerals: calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, zinc, iron magnesium, copper, manganese – Chloride – Silica – Aflatoxins – Zearalenone – Vomitoxin – Fumonisin – Acetic acid – Lactic acid – Butyric acid - pH – Amino acids – Fatty acid profile – Total sugar – Lactose
NIR Technology
NIR: spectrophotometry in reflectance of the near infrared
Spectrophotometry, in reflectance of the near infrared technique, allows us to make rapid and accurate predictions about the analytical characteristics of raw materials, their relative nourishing parameters and finished products. These analytical results are obtained by means of NIR, an instrument which is able to interpret a reflected signal as a function of calibration curves. Every CFN plant in Italy has one.
Global NIR Team
The NIR Global Team is a group of people in charge of managing NIR tools and their calibrations. This team relies on an overall management of more than 400 instruments. In addition to CFN Italy plants, the Global NIR Team supports some international and third party plants.
NIR Management
Calibrations are equations that allow NIR to read a reflected signal in the near-infrared, in order to make the instrument work properly. Among other tasks, Global NIR Team is responsible for the management of this instrument, throughout
- Global Standardization: leveraging on a global database, precision and accuracy level of calibration curves is extremely high.
- Global Monitoring NIR: European Central Lab’s NIR is used as model for other EMEAR (Europe, Africa, Russia) instruments’ calibration..
- GH, Nonstandard NH and OOS Reports: interpretation and evaluation of outlier values in comparison to calibration curves.
- Calibrations development: European Central Lab in Fiorenzuola d'Arda can count on a very wide database to develop internal calibration curves.