Food Analysis and GMO

Quality control procedures in food production include the identification and measurement of many organic compounds, additives, residues and microbiological contaminants

Immunolab ELISA kits for Food Analysis

The Immunolab range of highly sensitive ELISA kits enables the reliable and economical detection of numerous analytes. Immunoaffinity columns (IAC) which are used for the purification and concentration of samples as preparation for subsequent analytical tests (e.g. HPLC, ELISA) are available for some analytes – Please enquire.

Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins (mould toxins) are secondary metabolism products from moulds and very low concentrations are sufficient to develop toxic effects. The uptake of mycotoxins by mouldy foodstuffs can lead to damage of liver and kidneys, impairment of the immune system, damage to skin and mucosa. Some mycotoxins are carcinogenic, causing genetic defects.

ELISA kits

Please enquire for further information or visit the Immunolab website.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are divided in different groups according to their chemical structure and biological activity. The main groups are Beta-Lactams (Penicillin), Aminoglycosides (Streptomycin), Amphenicoles (Chloramphenicol), Sulfonamides, Macrolides, Nitrofurans and Tetracyclins.

The prophylactical use of antibiotics in animal foodstuff is either prohibited or subject to Maximal Residue Limits (MRL) according to the EU directive 2377/90.

Please enquire for further information or visit the Immunolab website.

Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds required for many essential vital functions of the organism. They are not produced by the body so they need to be ingested with our daily food on a regular basis. As a result more and more foods are enriched with vital vitamins in order to prevent a vitamin deficiency of the population. The declared vitamin concentrations have to be present until the end of the best-before use date. Overdoses should be avoided as well.

The following ELISA kits are available from Immunolab.

Please enquire for further information or visit the Immunolab website.

Hormones

Hormones are abusively used as growth promotors in animal fattening. Their application should increase both weight gain and muscle meat share and simultaneously reduce the fat content.

Use of these drugs is prohibited in Europe but in other countries effective sexual hormone steroids are sometimes legally used as growth-stimulating substances in animal fattening. Abusive usage of the hormones and missing veterinary medical controls may lead to health risks for consumers. The following ELISA kits are available from Immunolab.

Please enquire for further information or visit the Immunolab website

Histamine

Histamine is a biogenic amine which is formed by enzymatical decarboxylation from the amino acid histidine. It can enter the human digestive system via food consumption and trigger numerous intolerance related symptoms. The extent of the reaction depends on the ingested amount of histamine.

Furthermore, toxic reactions are possible after uptake of high histamine concentrations. These result from bacterial degradation of protein-rich food like fish, cheese and meat as well as from red wine consumption. The concentration of histamine formed depends on the bacterial species, temperature and exposure time.

Immunolab offers an ELISA kit for the detection of histamine.

Please enquire for further information or visit the Immunloab website.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Genetically modified crops cover over 10% of global agricultural land. More than one hundred different genetically modified plants are grown on over 160 million hectares in more than 29 countries. The main producing countries are the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and India. Soybeans are the most highly cultivated genetically modified plant, followed by corn, cotton and canola. According to EU Regulation 1829/2003 and 1830/2003, GMO content of more than 0.9% in foods and ingredients must be labelled. Other countries and regions have similar rules with similar limits.

For reliable analysis of GMOs in food and animal feed, BIOTECON Diagnostics offers a broad range of real-time PCR kits, including the new multiplex LyoKits.

Please enquire for further information.