In addition to the DPRA, h-CLAT and LuSens test methods, we now offer the U-SENS™ assay for assessing skin sensitisation potential of chemicals and other products.

The assay comprises investigation of cytotoxicity and a possible increase in expression of the CD 86 cell surface marker after exposure to a potential sensitiser as measured by flow cytometry. The U-SENS™ assay is together with the h-CLAT test method described in the OECD TG 442E, but in contrast to the h-CLAT method, the U-SENS™ assay doesn’t take log Pow of a test substance into consideration for any classification for skin sensitisation.

The GBA GROUP has good news to report on the subject of job search, somewhat defusing the article in the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper of 13.11.2020, which presented the corona-damaged training record of the Hamburg Employment Agency under the title "Dramatic development of training places in Hamburg".

GBA Group, the competent partner for analytical questions and services in the food, environmental and pharmaceutical sectors, is still looking for apprentices for 2021. And that both in Hamburg and in Pinneberg. At each of these locations, 2 positions will be given to chemical laboratory assistants.

In addition to mineral oil hydrocarbon compounds, undesirable substances such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids, tropane alkaloids and aflatoxins can also be found in popular ingredients for gingerbread and Christmas spices such as candied lemon peel, candied orange peel, nutmeg, coriander and aniseed. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) and tropane alkaloids are natural substances that are mainly formed by certain plants, e.g. the St. James' Cross or deadly nightshade, and serve as protection against predators. Whereas the aflatoxins are mould toxins (mycotoxins), which are known to be extremely carcinogenic.

Mineral oils are hydrocarbon compounds (MOH: Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons). They can be subdivided into the two groups MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons). Structurally related to MOSH are the so-called POSH (Polyolefin Oligomeric Saturated Hydrocarbons). Investigations conducted by the European Food Safety Authority found that MOH are present in almost all food products. In particular, in the case of dried food products with a large surface area, such as e.g. spices, flour, semolina, rice, breadcrumbs, or breakfast cereals, you cannot fully rule out the risk of contamination. Fatty foods as well, such as chocolate, butter, nuts, or cooking oils, could be contaminated with mineral oil hydrocarbons. These compounds can end up in the food products in a variety of ways. Potential paths of contamination include the packaging materials (recycled paper, printer ink, jute or sisal sacks treated with oils for waterproofing), lubricating oils from production or harvesting machines, food additives (anti-sticking agents, coatings, glossy agents, anti-dusting agents), gas emissions from the surrounding environment, and many more.

Compressed air is indispensable in the laboratory! The use of the completely refurbished compressed air systems in the laboratories in Hamburg and Hameln not only increased operational safety, but the significantly reduced energy consumption saves costs and protects the climate. The quality of the compressed air also reaches a new level. This is indispensable, as the measuring equipment in the laboratories for chemical analysis and quality control of food samples is in operation around the clock. Many of the applications require particularly high-quality oil-free compressed air.