MILFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.