Detection of constituents of animal origin in feed by microscopic analysis method

BSE is a chronic transmissible spongiform encephalopathy transmitted through compound feed and feed materials containing prion-protein derived from processed animal components of ruminant origin. Since 1985, the disease has spread rapidly around the world, but strict feed regulation and monitoring have effectively reduced the incidence and only a few cases of BSE are being detected these days. In order to ensure the prevention of TSEs and to export feed products or bovine to third countries, it is necessary to ensure that feed used in animal nutrition does not contain processed animal protein. The method of microscopic analysis is one of the two EU-approved laboratory test methods used in official control and monitoring of animal feed. It is based on the identification of animal particles by recognizing their morphological features. The particular test method was chosen due to reliability of the results and the abundance of the tests performed, which allowed the analysis of a wide range of circumstances on which the detection of PAP in feed may depend. All feed tests were performed at the National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute which is accredited for microscopic analysis method. It was also chosen to analyse all results of detection of PAP in feed acquired throughout the period of 2008-2018. Because the method is qualitative, descriptive statistics methods were used for data analysis. During the analysis period, 1248 compound feeds and feed materials were tested, 80% of which were produced in Lithuania. The majority of the tested feed samples consisted of protein-vitamin-mineral supplements - 242 samples, compound feed for pigs - 190 samples and fish meal - 185 samples. Throughout the study period total of 21 (p> 0.05) cases on detection of PAP of terrestrial origin were recorded. Animal constituents of fish origin were detected in 424 (p