Int’l - Vicam Releases Single Column Test For Multiple Toxins
Published:September 17, 2004
Source :Vicam
VICAM, a world leader in agricultural biotechnology and bioseparations, has introduced a new HPLC-use immunoaffinity column to simultaneously determine the presence of aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and zearalenone in human foodstuffs and feed. This new test, AOZ HPLCTM, further demonstrates VICAM’s depth in the mycotoxin testing industry and sensitivity to customer needs. Users save both time and materials by eliminating the need for separate mycotoxin analyses. AOZ HPLC can analyze all three mycotoxins at once, or can perform individual analysis of any of these mycotoxins, if desired.
Marjorie Radlo, Executive Vice President, said, “As companies increase mycotoxin testing to accommodate new regulations and quality consciousness, it is important that VICAM continue to lead in providing multipurpose testing solutions to our customers. Combination columns are the answer to these requests, and we are pleased to be able to offer them. The AOZ HPLC test allows our customers to prepare one sample, run one test, and simultaneously detect three mycotoxins. Results for aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and zearalenone can be obtained with the same precision and in less than half the time it would take to run the three individual tests.”
“ VICAM has listened intently to our HPLC audience, both in Europe and around the globe,” said Klaus Ruttmann, European Sales Manager. “Last year we came out with a line of WB [wide bore] columns to answer customer requests for faster testing methods. Next we lead the marketplace offering the first combination column to test for both aflatoxin and ochratoxin, AflaOchra HPLC™. Now with AOZ HPLC, VICAM's newest combination column for the detection of aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and zearalenone, we demonstrate our unique commitment to our HPLC audience by providing a combination column which provides for detection of the most numerous mycotoxins to date. There is no other test on the market for these three mycotoxins that functions via a rapid one-pass testing method."
About Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin, and Zearalenone
Aflatoxin, a toxin from a naturally occurring mold, is a Group 1 carcinogen proven to cause cancer in humans. Throughout the world, significant regulations have been placed on the presence of aflatoxins in food. The European Commission established action levels for aflatoxin in groundnuts, nuts, dried fruit, and cereals intended for direct human consumption. These action levels are 4 µg/kg, total aflatoxin and 2 µg/kg for aflatoxin B1. Additionally, EU member states have established their own maximum levels for aflatoxins in food and animal feeds.
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by the fungus Aspergillus ochraceous and several species of Penicillium fungi. This mycotoxin, also commonly found in barley, oats, coffee, wine, wheat, sorghum, rice, and figs is a known carcinogen, causing kidney damage in humans and livestock. With this in mind, the European Union limits ochratoxin to as low as 3 µg/kg in cereal grains bound for foodstuffs, with even lower levels for foods specifically intended for infants and young children. And, as of January 1, 2005, the EU will have maximum OTA levels set for green and soluble coffee.
Zearalenone is an estrogenic mycotoxin produced by the fungus Fusarium graminearum. Zearalenone induces feminization in animals at concentrations around 1 µg/kg. Higher concentrations (50-100 µg/kg) can interfere with conception, ovulation, implantation, fetal development, and the viability of newborn animals.
About AOZ
AOZ HPLC from VICAM is the only test that employs a single column to simultaneously isolate aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2; OTA; and zearalenone. Using a monoclonal immunoaffinity column and an HPLC, this test produces precise numerical results in micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) or parts per billion (ppb).
