Easy and Cost-Effective Determination of Dicyandiamide in Milk Powder

Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed an efficient and simple high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of dicyandiamide in milk powder using an ion-exclusion chromatography column that is capable of rapidly analysing polar compounds such as aliphatic organic acids and alcohols in complex and high-ionic-strength samples. Application Note 1095: Determination of Dicyandiamide in Milk Powder demonstrates that the separation power of the Thermo Scientific^™ Dionex^™ IonPac^™ ICE-AS1 Analytical column simplifies the sample preparation process and eliminates the cartridge cleanup procedure, thus reducing analysis time and costs.

Dicyandiamide is a compound used by farmers to minimise the environmental impact of livestock on land. Dicyandiamide reduces the rate at which soil microbes convert ammonia from animal urine into nitrates and nitrous oxide, thus slowing nitrate leaching from the pasture. Overuse of dicyandiamide can lead to its appearance in dairy products. Use of nitrogen-rich compounds such as dicyandiamide to make the protein content of food appear higher - protein adulteration - can also lead to dicyandiamide contamination in milk and milk powder. Thus, fast and reliable analysis and control methods are needed to monitor dicyandiamide levels in milk and milk-derived products.