Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Mycotoxins Method Receives AOAC® International Approval

VICAM’s AflaOchra™ HPLC method is first-ever testing protocol to meet AOAC® specifications for simultaneous detection of Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A
VICAM, a world leader in food safety diagnostics, today announced that the AOAC® International has awarded Official MethodSM First Action status to the protocol “Determination of Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 and Ochratoxin A in Ginseng and Ginger by Multi-toxin Immunoaffinity Column Clean-up and Liquid Chromatographic Quantitation.” The method:AOAC number 2008.02, is the first ever to be approved for the simultaneous detection of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) and ochratoxin A. Using the VICAM multiple mycotoxin immunoaffinity column, AflaOchra™ HPLC, the newly approved method is applicable for use with powdered ginseng and ginger, botanical products which are widely available to consumers.

“Botanicals are used in many countries for medicinal and general health promoting purposes,” says Mary W. Trucksess, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “In recent years, several reports of natural occurrence of mycotoxins in botanical dietary supplements have been published. The AOAC Method 2008.02 has been validated by an international collaborative study with good statistical parameters for the investigation of the aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in ginger and ginseng. This validated method is available for regulatory compliance or surveillance programs and for industry applications.”

Aflatoxins are a family of fungal toxins which are classified as Group I carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (I.A.R.C.). Ochratoxin A, another fungal toxin, has been linked to kidney damage, immunosuppression and is a suspect carcinogen in humans. Because fungal toxins may occur together in the same consumer product, the existence of an AOAC approved method for the simultaneous detection of both toxins will assist in monitoring and control in order to protect human and animal health around the world.

The AOAC International is a 120- year old not-for-profit scientific association whose mission is to provide and promote “worldwide confidence in analytical results” through collaboration, “developing fit-for-purpose methods…for assuring quality measurements.” AOAC is considered to represent the “gold standard” of methods accepted and recognized by regulatory agencies and organizations worldwide. In fact, many AOAC methods are specifically required in the enforcement of some state, provincial, municipal and local laws and many federal food standards worldwide.

About VICAM

VICAM is a world-leading provider of mycotoxin and microbiological testing solutions. Since 1985, VICAM has been dedicated to developing USDA- and AOAC-approved rapid tests for mycotoxins and foodborne pathogens. VICAM's mycotoxin test kits offer a choice of HPLC or fluorometric detection methods for reliable quantitative detection of a wide variety of mycotoxins. Around the world, VICAM products are used with confidence by customers who trust our commitment to extending the value of those products with unmatched service and support. We guarantee satisfaction with expert technical assistance and top-of-the-line customer care through a global scientific and distribution network that develops, markets, sells, and services our products in more than 100 countries.