16
Science Talk
@Halal | MAY-JUNE. 2020
BY NOR AMIN HAZIQ
Chairman,Global Haltech
A
HALAL analysis is done for the
reason of ensuring it does not
contain any haram source in the
ingredients as well as finished
products. Haram source here
means any source coming from
pork and its derivatives. This is the basic
rule for any product to be certified as halal.
Apart of halal certification, which involves a
review of related document and audit done
at the manufacturing area, halal analysis
sometimes is needed for ingredients which
are sent for halal certification is submitted
without a halal certificate. The reason why
DNA tests are allowed is that it is the most
established method to trace animal originbased
ingredients in the sample products.
But bear in mind there are lots of ingredients
or finished products in the market which
do not contain DNA. This situation is not
because there is no animal-based DNA, but
the DNA may have degraded or deteriorated
during the production process. Meaning the
ingredients and finished products may contain
animal-based, but because of complicated
methods applied during manufacturing,
the DNA in those items is damaged. When
this happens, the lab report may not detect
anything, and there would be no conclusion
whether either the ingredients or finished
product contain animal-based origins as well
as porcine tracing. Heat applied at a higher
temperature uses of certain chemicals,
extreme pressure used during the manufacturing
process can also damage DNA during
manufacturing processes. If labs still proceed
with DNA analysis for the sample which no
longer has DNA in the item, the negative
result is an actually false negative.
Thus, can we still say DNA is the only solution
for halal analysis? The honest answer
is even though DNA method is the most
established method and the only one allowed
by authorities, we still need to think of alternative
ways to trace porcine in the item in
which the DNA no longer exists.
In analysis practice, tracing of any animal
origin-based or porcine-based sources for
halal testing still can proceed using various
types of method. In almost all cases, other
animal-based markers are still in good condition
to be selected as a porcine marker at the
time the DNA is damage. Few labs have developed
different methods for halal analysis
such as tracing of polypeptide, triglycerides,
antibody/antigen pairs, porcine uniqueness
protein and so on.
According to Fig 1, parameter testing for
FIG 1
SOURCE: DRUG TARGET VIEW/DRUGTARGETREVIEW.COM
Halal
analysis:
DNA is not the only solution
There are lots of ingredients or finished products in
the market which do not contain DNA
Halal test can be divided into two authentication
levels, screening and confirmation.
Universities and research institutes usually
use the screening level under the R&D phase
towards getting the best markers or best
methods for halal analysis. The technique
used under the confirmation level is a reliable
method. Scientific equipment used
and process applied under confirmation
level are RT-PCR for DNA test, LCMS/MS for
polypeptide test and ELISA/Rapid Test Kit
for antibody/antigen test. Thus, when we are
facing a problem with sample receive to the
lab with no more DNA contained, the alternative
methods as mentioned above are useful.
All those methods have been verified and
undergo a validation process before proceeding
as a valid method for halal analysis. Some
of those methods even has been accredited
ISO17025. Halvec lab, for example, has been
accredited ISO17025 for Halal analysis and
the parameter that has been listed under
scope of analysis are DNA test and ELISA/
Rapid Test Kit.
The decision that either DNA or other
alternative method is the best for finished
products received in the lab is based on the list
of ingredients contained in the finished product.
This would be identified by lab staff. In
some instances, some of the finished products
may require more than one test method as
products may contain animal-based sources
from different body parts of an animal.
The table in Fig 2 can show the details.
The details in the above table are not
theories but happened for finished products
received by labs for halal analysis. For
some products received by Halvec Lab for
halal study, the DNA method can’t be used
to determine whether the products contain
porcine-based sources or not. But when using
ELISA method, the result is evident to prove
that the finished product contains porcinebased
sources. By choosing the appropriate
manner, the halal or haram status of finished
products can be clearly decided. Hence, it will
give authorities higher confidence for the
halal certification process.
In the list of comparing testing methods
used in Fig 3, products such as vaccine and
Banana jelly gummy porcine are not detected
when using DNA test method. In contrast,