MILFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) today announced VICAM®, a Waters® Business, now offers a single extraction method for the detection of aflatoxins and fumonisins in corn and grain. The Afla-V® AQUA™ and Fumo-V® AQUA™ provide quantitative results in only five-minutes (after extraction/sample prep). The simple, one-step, water-based process eliminates solvent use completely. Extraction is performed using a simple, environmentally safe solution which requires no special handling, mixing or blending.
Traditional testing methods often require individual extraction procedures for each toxin, some requiring the use of costly chemicals such as methanol, a chemical solvent which requires special storage and handling. In addition, specialized shipping often adds to the expense and complexity of on-site mycotoxin detection. In contrast, the Afla-V® AQUA™ and Fumo–V® AQUA™ tests can be run on the same sample extract, reducing time, effort and consumables cost.
“Afla-V® AQUA™ and Fumo-V® AQUA™ are designed to make mycotoxin monitoring more accessible by enabling early detection and quantitation while also eliminating the dependence on chemicals that may be difficult to obtain, store and use in a safe manner,” said Marjorie Radlo-Zandi, Managing Director, VICAM. “All this is accomplished while delivering a performance that meets quality and regulatory standards that safeguard food and feed products worldwide.”
Afla-V® AQUA™ and Fumo-V® AQUA™ are now both available worldwide.
About Aflatoxins
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 Fumonisins
Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced by the
fungus Fusarium moniliforme. F. moniliforme is a
frequent, almost universal, inhabitant of corn. Fumonisin B1, B2 and B3
are present in most corn samples tested, often totaling greater than 1
ppm. Fumonisin is thought to cause equine leukoencephalomalacia in
horses, swine pulmonary edema, and human esophageal cancer. The FDA/USDA
Working Group on Fumonisin advises less than 4 ppm for products for
human consumption, less than 5 mg/kg in horse feed, less than 10 mg/kg
for swine feed, and less than 50 mg/kg for cattle feed.
About VICAM, A Waters Business (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)
Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) develops and manufactures advanced analytical and material science technologies for laboratory dependent organizations. For more than 50 years, the company has pioneered a connected portfolio of separations science, laboratory information management, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis systems.