Food & Beverages

Biography

Biography: Krista Kelly

Abstract

To ensure food and feed safety, as well as quality in the respect of compliance towards legislative requirements, the efficient determination of certain analytes in different matrices is key. Biochip Array Technology, utilising the semi-automated benchtop biochip analyser Evidence Investigator, provides a platform for the simultaneous determination of multiple drug residues from a single sample. The technology uses miniaturized immunoassays, with implications in the reduction of sample/reagent consumption and an increase in the output of test results. Up to 45 tests can be carried out per biochip. Image processing, quantification and validation are then carried out by instrument specific software. Biochip Array Technology is used in various industries throughout the world for the analysis of drug residues. Residues currently being detected with this technology include: antimicrobials, anthelmintics, coccidiostats, beta-agonists, growth promoters and synthetic steroids. Drug residues are being detected faster and more easily with Biochip Array Technology in multiple sample types including meat, seafood, honey, milk and urine. Recent developments in this technology also allows multi-mycotoxin detection for the feed and grain industries with use of the new mycotoxin range of arrays, which allow the screening of a broad range of mycotoxins simultaneously, including aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, trichothecenes A (T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin), trichothecenes B (deoxynivalenol), zearalenone, diacetoxyscirpenol, ergot alkaloids and paxilline. In the dairy industry, the application of the Infiniplex Array for milk delivers a quantitative result for 180+ analytes across four residue groups including antibiotics, mycotoxins, anti-inflammatories and anti-parasitic drugs. Randox Food Diagnostics also offers a versatile range of kits for the wine, beverage and fermentation industries. Using enzymatic and colorimetric principles, the semi-automated benchtop analyser RX altona enables rapid and frequent monitoring of the production process and quality control of both raw materials and the finished wine product. The kits currently available for use include: ethanol, acetic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, total sulphates, ammonia, glucose/fructose, lactic acid, malic acid, potassium and total antioxidant status. The kit portfolio is continually expanding, and has also recently been extended to also include the detection of glucose/ fructose and diastase in honey.