Neogen launches test for ochratoxin
Reveal Q+ MAX for Ochratoxin in lateral flow format can deliver results from 2 to 100 parts per billion (ppb) in five minutes.
It is intended for quantitative analysis of grain, grain products and green coffee.
Ochratoxin is a mycotoxin found in corn, barley, green coffee and various dried fruits and may be present with aflatoxin, one of the most potent naturally-occurring carcinogens.
It is commonly produced by the moulds Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium viridicatum.
Water-based extraction removes the need to use methanol and ethanol.
Test same sample for multiple mycotoxins
Mary Gadola, of Neogen, said with the lateral flow test readers, the Reveal Q+ MAX system reads, analyzes and stores test results.
“The ability to test the same sample for multiple mycotoxins represents a potentially significant cost and time saving for grain testers,” she said.
“Until now, testers had no choice but to prepare separate samples for each mycotoxin to be tested for - by far the largest time-consuming element of the entire testing process.”
The test for ochratoxin is the second in the Reveal Q+ MAX line, joining the one for aflatoxin.
Neogen’s Reveal Q+ MAX for Aflatoxin can give results ranging from 2 to 300 ppb of aflatoxin after six minutes. It detects the four principle types of aflatoxin, B1, B2, G1 and G2.
The firm developed a quantitative test for Ochratoxin in response to customer feedback in late 2015.
Veratox HS (high sensitivity) is a competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CD-ELISA).
The line of mycotoxin test kits detect aflatoxin, aflatoxin M1, deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin, ochratoxin, T-2/HT-2 and zearalenone.
Acquisition of Rogama
Neogen has also acquired Brazil-based Rogama Indústria e Comércio, a private company that develops and manufactures rodenticides and insecticides.
Rogama offers more than 70 registered pest control products to Brazil’s agronomic, professional, and retail markets and has a partnership with the Pan American Health Organization.
“Combined with our recent acquisitions of Quat-Chem, Preserve International, and others, adding Rogama further solidifies Neogen as a global leader for agricultural biosecurity products and expertise,” said Dr Jason Lilly, Neogen’s VP of corporate development.
The firm is headquartered in Pindamonhangaba, near São Paulo with annual revenues of $8m. Operations will be managed by Neogen’s Brazilian subsidiary.
Pierre Belhadj, country manager for Brazil, said the deal allows it to accelerate growth in Brazil’s animal safety market.
“The ability to manufacture biosecurity products for our Brazilian customers in Brazil represents significant advantages over shipping products from the US or elsewhere,” he said.
“These advantages include cost, but also include the ability to rapidly respond to outbreaks of potentially devastating diseases to the massive Brazilian livestock and poultry industries, such as the recent outbreaks of bird flu and pig virus seen elsewhere.”
