Press Releases
VICAM LAUNCHES NEW TEST FOR THE DETECTION OF AFLA M1 IN MILK
Watertown, MA (January 7, 1997) — In a step to offer a solution to testing problems faced by the dairy industry, VICAM, a world leader in agricultural biotechnology and bioseparations, has launched an immunoaffinity column test, Afla M1™, configured to function well with milk samples that have historically been difficult to analyze. Aflatoxin M1, a potent carcinogen in laboratory animals, is the hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1 in the body of dairy animals when they are fed rations contaminated with aflatoxin B1, and is excreted into milk (Heacote & Hibbert 1978). Designed to be used for clean up for HPLC, Afla M1, has been developed to handle the whole spectrum of liquid and powdered milk products ranging from easy to difficult without sacrificing its fast flow rate. Particularly impressive is the ability of Afla M1 to offer this versatility while maintaining a most cost-competitive stance and while delivering comparable performance to the existing test on the market in both recovery and accuracy.
This newly introduced test, Afla M1, further demonstrates VICAM’s depth in the mycotoxin testing marketplace. Marjorie Radlo, Executive Vice President, explains, "This test complements and completes our spectrum of testing, specifically every important fraction of aflatoxin." In addition to tests to detect aflatoxin, VICAM’s other mycotoxin products include antibody affinity column-based rapid tests for the quantitative detection of DON, fumonisin, ochratoxin, T-2, and zearalenone. VICAM prides itself on developing rapid, easy-to-use mycotoxin tests which are AOAC-approved and which are for use with both fluorometric and HPLC methods of detection.
About the Technology
In the development of this fast flow Afla M1 column,
various types of dairy samples were used including whole milk, skim
milk, full cream milk, and BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) milk
reference samples. Validation of the HPLC procedure for milk was assured
by performing a comparison study addressing the limit of detection,
percentage recovery, and precision. By spiking full cream milk with
different amounts of aflatoxin M1, VICAM scientists
determined the limit of detection to be 10 ppt. The scientists also
found Afla M1 to produce highly accurate data
over the range of 10 ppt to 3000 ppt. A precision of 3% - 5% was determined
by measuring spiked samples at low and high aflatoxin M1 levels
(0.05 ppb and 3.0 ppb, respectively). In terms of conclusions drawn
from the validation studies, Afla M1’s performance
was found to be very comparable to what is currently available on the
market in terms of limit of detection, precision, and accuracy while
Afla M1is available at a considerably lower cost.
Significance to the European Community & Those
Exporting to the European Community
VICAM’s Afla M1 can
be used in a wide variety of locations from milk
processing quality control laboratories to government
testing laboratories - anyplace where quick, easy-to-perform
and highly accurate analysis is required. The access
that Afla M1 offers to quick
and accurate analysis is particularly relevant
within the European Community given Europe’s
more numerous mandates for mycotoxin testing and
lower acceptable levels of aflatoxin M1.
Dr. Gerald N. Wogan, world-renowned mycotoxin expert,
speaks to how Afla M1 particularly
caters to Europeans’ beliefs and practices
regarding mycotoxin ingestion and human diet, "Milk
is an important nutrient in the human diet and
in particular the diet of infants, and therefore
it is essential to have the analytical capability
required to exclude aflatoxin M1 from
dairy products. The characteristics of this test
meet the rigorous demands of action levels set
by the European Regulatory Committees." Marjorie
Radlo, Executive Vice President, concurs with Dr.
Wogan in terms of the significance this test will
have for Europe but goes on to address the positive
benefits the introduction of Afla M1 will
achieve worldwide, "Because of the limited
ways of detecting M1 and
with the importance of monitoring M1 in
all dairy products from an internal European Community
point of view, as well as from an export perspective,
our M1 column will play an
important role in standardizing results. This standardization
will make life a great deal easier amongst all
dairy participants who are trying to improve in
an efficient way the standards of quality worldwide."
Availability and Pricing
Orders are currently being accepted for Afla M1and
pricing information maybe obtained by contacting VICAM or your local
distributor.
About VICAM
VICAM is a privately held company internationally
recognized as a world leader in agricultural biotechnology and bioseparations.
VICAM delivers improved animal reproductivity, increased agricultural
productivity, and safeguarded food quality with patented bioseparations
and detection products worldwide. Their products include detection,
measurement, and separations technologies for veterinary reproductive
applications, foodborne carcinogens, and living cells. To date, VICAM
has applied its technologies to 18 products and 3 prototypes. VICAM
supports a global scientific and distribution presence to develop,
market, sell, and service their products in 98 countries worldwide.
For more information, contact Jennifer Smith at VICAM, 313 Pleasant
Street, Watertown, MA 02472 U.S.A.
All VICAM products are protected by worldwide patents and trademarks.
Contact:
Jennifer Smith
Manager of Corporate Communications
VICAM
Tel: +1.617.926.7045
Fax: +1.617.923.8055