What is the TOTOX value? The peroxide value and anisidine value are used to determine the TOTOX value. These are fat indicators. The peroxide value describes the amount of peroxides in the fat, which are usually produced by the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. Oxidation describes the reaction of fat with oxygen from the air. An example of this is when an iron stair railing oxidizes (comes into contact with oxygen from the air), rust can form as an oxidation product. As a further control point for the quality of fatty acids, the anisidine number can also be determined, which can express further oxidation products in crude oils.
How is the TOTOX value calculated? TOTOX value = 2x peroxide value + anisidine value
Why is the TOTOX value not always meaningful? Some competitors advertise TOTOX values for processed algae oil products. However, it is important to clarify that the TOTOX value is a good and common comparison parameter only for crude oils, i.e. for unprocessed edible oils such as pure linseed oil, sunflower oil, etc. As soon as processed fats and oils are mixed together or flavors or other plant products are added, the guidelines can no longer necessarily be applied and therefore no longer represent a decisive comparison parameter. GOED (The global organization for EPA & DHA omega-3s) also comes to this conclusion. The reason for this is as follows: Added substances, especially flavors, can have a direct effect on the measured anisidine number, as they sometimes naturally share chemical properties with the parameters measured for the anisidine number. Lemon flavor, for example, can have a particularly strong influence on the anisidine number and falsely increase it. Since the TOTOX value is derived from the anisidine number and the peroxide number, this is also directly influenced, even though the quality of the unsaturated fats has not changed. As a result, the Totox value no longer provides accurate information about the finished end product. There is also a study on this, which we are happy to provide you with. The GOED also recommends that flavored DHA and EPA oils be evaluated separately in the “GOED TECHNICAL GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS”.
Why don't we test our end product for the Totox value? Algae oil with lemon flavor: Our Omega 3 algae oil is an oil blend that contains both olive oil and natural lemon flavor and antioxidants in addition to our high-quality algae oil. It is not common practice and is also not recommended to evaluate oil blends based on the TOTOX value. In our case, this is due to several factors: In olive oil, the anisidine value is typically naturally higher than in other oils without it being rancid. In addition, the use of flavors in oil blends can lead to analytical cross-reactions in relation to the TOTOX number (see previous section for explanation). This effect probably also applies to some antioxidants. This means that higher TOTOX values can be determined in the laboratory. However, these do not provide any information about the rancidity of the oil blend. Here, more information can be obtained from the pure peroxide value for the final product, as well as from the TOTOX value of the pure algae oil before processing.
Why don't we test our end product for the TOTOX value? The use of flavors in oil mixtures can lead to analytical cross-reactions in relation to the TOTOX number (see previous section above for explanation). This effect probably also applies to some antioxidants. This means that higher TOTOX values can be determined in the laboratory, but these have no significance for the rancidity of the oil mixture. More information can be obtained from the pure peroxide number for the end product, as well as from the TOTOX value of the pure algae oil before processing. This also applies to our Omega 3 algae oil capsules and our Omega 3 algae oil kids drops, as the capsule contents/the kids product also contain an oil mixture (algae oil + MCT oil), which is provided with antioxidants to protect it from spoilage.
How do we ensure the quality of our algae oil?
We do not limit the quality testing of our products to the TOTOX value, but also include other essential criteria with which the quality of the products can be assessed. These criteria include our close-meshed and strict testing of the products for contaminants such as heavy metals. To ensure that the respective limit values are not exceeded, each batch of algae oil is tested before being released for sale. Our algae oil is always stored and processed under defined conditions (related to temperature and humidity), which are checked daily. In addition, the raw materials are stored in the absence of oxygen (nitrogen), and when the oil is bottled, the normal air atmosphere is also displaced with nitrogen. After production, the quality is checked again by ourselves and independent, accredited laboratories examining the quality parameters mentioned above, among others.
If you have every batch tested, you will definitely have the corresponding laboratory reports to release, right? We ask for your understanding that we can only publish certificates that we have commissioned ourselves. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to release certificates from our manufacturer as they contain confidential information. You can find the certificate that we are allowed to publish on our product page.
Storage instructions: To ensure that your algae oil lasts a long time and stays as fresh as possible, it is packaged very carefully and without oxygen. Avoid direct sunlight before opening and store it in a cool, dry place. Once opened, you should store it in your refrigerator and consume it within a few weeks. Shake your bottle briefly before use, as cold storage can lead to flakes forming - these are simply small "crystals" (solidified oil). These are not a problem and are completely natural. If the product is warmed up to room temperature again, the flakes usually disappear again.