Basil tincture in feed: four determination techniques — spectrophotometry, GC-FID, GC-MS for eugenol and HPLC-UV, estragole at most 0.00005 % and methyleugenol 0.0006 %, limits from 65 to 500 mg/kg
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1786, published on 24 July 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 13 August 2036 a tincture from the dried leaves of Ocimum basilicum L. (water–ethanol extraction) as a flavouring in feed for all animal species. The maximum contents follow from the presence of methyleugenol and estragole. Use in water for drinking was not authorised.
- Specification (in % by mass of the tincture): dry matter 1.79–1.8 %, total polyphenols ≤ 0.198 % (as gallic acid), flavonoids ≤ 0.0257 % (as hyperoside), 1,8-cineole ≤ 0.0019 %, camphor ≤ 0.0047 %, rosmarinic acid ≤ 0.0110 %, methyleugenol ≤ 0.0006 %, estragole ≤ 0.00005 %. Methods: spectrophotometry for polyphenols and flavonoids, GC-FID for 1,8-cineole, camphor, estragole and methyleugenol, GC-MS for eugenol, HPLC-UV for rosmarinic acid. Eugenol has a method in the act but no limit in the specification.
- Data from the EFSA opinion (5 batches): solvent on average 98.21 %, ash makes up 25.7 % of dry matter; polyphenols 0.178–0.198 % (Folin–Ciocalteu, 760 nm), flavonoids 0.0228–0.0257 % expressed as quercetin equivalents, rosmarinic acid 0.0104–0.0110 % (HPLC-UV, 330 nm), eugenol 0.0021–0.0024 % (by GC-FID in the EFSA table), methyleugenol 0.0005–0.0006 %, estragole 0.00005 %; safrole and coumarin were not detected (limit of detection 1.0 mg/kg). For comparison, the EFSA compendium gives 2.4–16.5 % estragole and 0.5–1.6 % methyleugenol in basil essential oil.
- Maximum contents in mg additive/kg complete feed: ornamental fish 500; dogs 307; salmonids 292; calves for fattening up to 6 months 291; sheep and goats, cattle and other ruminants for fattening, Equidae and cats 256; Suidae for reproduction 170; other ruminants 166; pigs for fattening 140; piglets 116; Leporidae 102; laying and reared-for-laying poultry and ornamental birds 97; turkeys for fattening 87; chickens for fattening and other species 65 — as in the EFSA opinion.
- The EU reference laboratory also recommended an HPTLC profile for unequivocal identification of the tincture; the act does not list it. EFSA considered the tincture a skin and eye irritant and a skin and respiratory sensitiser, with possible exposure of unprotected users to methyleugenol and estragole. The additive is used only via a premixture; additive and premixtures made under the old rules before 13 February 2027, feed for food-producing animals before 13 August 2027 and other feed before 13 August 2028 may be used until stocks are exhausted.