Product eliminates the use of hazardous chemicals from the sample
extraction
MILFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 19, 2014--
Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) today announced VICAM®, A Waters®
Business, introduced a new, “green” method for detecting aflatoxins in
grains. The Afla-V®
AQUA™ will allow grain, feed and food companies that perform VERTU®
rapid strip tests for aflatoxin to now perform the test with fewer steps
and without the need for organic solvents, such as methanol.
Traditionally, a methanol/water mixture is used to extract the
aflatoxins from grains before analysis; however, methanol is expensive,
flammable and must be disposed of as a hazardous waste. This makes the
Afla-V AQUA especially desirable for large grain storage and processing
operations, where large testing volumes create high hazmat disposal
costs. Furthermore, in some countries, methanol must be registered with
the government to purchase, store and use on-site.
"VICAM saw the industry needs for a green testing method, while still
being simple, sensitive and easy to use", said Marjorie Radlo-Zandi,
General Manager, Director of Operations at VICAM. “The only solvent
required for use with the new AQUA product is water.”
The Afla-V AQUA Strip Tests utilize the proven sensitivity and
selectivity of VICAM’s monoclonal antibodies to accurately detect and
measure total aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2) at levels as low as 2.5 ppb
and as high as 50 ppb. Afla-V AQUA utilizes a water-based, dilution-free
extraction procedure that develops in just five minutes. Results are
displayed on the digital screen and may also be printed or transferred
to Excel for storage and used as a vital quality assurance tool.
Aflatoxins are naturally occurring chemical byproducts of mold species,
which are natural inhabitants of crop soils. Severe rain and drought can
encourage aflatoxin production, and once released, aflatoxin and other
mycotoxins are difficult to manage and nearly impossible to destroy.
Aflatoxin B1 is classified as a Group I carcinogen and is highly toxic
even at very low concentrations. The USDA, FDA, EU, and other
international government agencies impose specific regulations and
guidelines for acceptable levels of mycotoxins. Producers and exporters
use on-site and laboratory testing to ensure regulatory compliance and
to protect human and animal health from illnesses associated with
mycotoxins, including cancer and feed refusal in animals.
About VICAM, A Waters Business (www.vicam.com)
VICAM is a world-leading provider of mycotoxin testing solutions. Since
1985, VICAM has been dedicated to developing USDA- and AOAC-approved
rapid tests for mycotoxins. VICAM’s mycotoxin test kits offer a choice
of rapid qualitative screening and quantitative test methods for 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. For more information, please visit www.vicam.com
or call +1.508.482.4935.
About Waters Corporation(www.waters.com)
For more than 50 years, Waters Corporation has created business
advantages for laboratory-dependent organizations by delivering
practical and sustainable innovation to enable significant advancements
in such areas as healthcare delivery, environmental management, food
safety, and water quality, consumer products and high-value added
chemicals worldwide.
Pioneering a connected portfolio of separations science, laboratory
information management, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis, Waters
technology breakthroughs and laboratory solutions provide an enduring
platform for customer success.
With revenue of $1.9 billion in 2013, Waters is driving scientific
discovery and operational excellence for customers worldwide.
Waters, VICAM, and Afla-V are registered trademarks of Waters
Corporation. AQUA and Vertu are trademarks of Waters Corporation.
Source: Waters Corporation
VICAM
Patricia Jackson, +1-515-326-4417
Market Development
Manager
pjackson@vicam.com
www.vicam.com
or
Waters
Corporation
Chris Orlando, 508-482-2623
Public Relations
Manager
Chris_orlando@waters.com