Food Safety
New Aflatoxin M1 Ultra ELISA Quantitative Test Introduced
Hygiena's Helica Biosystems has introduced a new test for aflatoxin M1, a carcinogenic chemical found in milk products. Studies found the enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), Aflatoxin M1 Ultra ELISA Quantitative, is more sensitive than competitors' tests for detecting the toxin.
Aflatoxin M1 is found in the milk of cows that eat Aflatoxin B1-contaminated feed. Aflatoxin B1 is one of the world's most carcinogenic compounds. It is produced by molds including Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, commonly found in feeds. While not as toxic as its parent compound Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin M1 can still cause cancers, immune system disorders, and severe toxic reactions. Dairy processors need fast, accurate tests that detect low levels of Aflatoxin M1 in their milk, milk powder, and yogurt products.
In the United States, the highest concentration of Aflatoxin M1 allowed in products is 500 parts per trillion (ppt). In the European Union, that limit is 50 ppt. In addition, ISO 14675 guidelines require a minimum quantification of 10 ppt, less than 20 percent cross-reactivity to the related Aflatoxin M2, and a standard range of 5-50 ppt.
The new Aflatoxin M1 Ultra ELISA Quantitative has a broad detection range of 5 ppt to 500 ppt. The ELISA assay takes only 1 hour, 10 minutes to generate results. This year, an independent laboratory verified the performance of Aflatoxin M1 Ultra ELISA Quantitative with a competing kit, validating its 5-500 ppt detection in milk samples, with high sample recovery, and high testing precision and accuracy. All Hygiena assay outperformed competing kits.
Aflatoxin M1 Ultra ELISA also shows less than 0.1% cross-reactivity to other aflatoxin types (M2, B1, B2, G1, and G2) that could cause false-positive results in the presence of these other aflatoxin types. These types can exist in barley, walnut, oats, and other grains and nuts often added to dairy products.
"Hygiena's Helica brand of mycotoxin tests has been supplying dairy markets worldwide for 15 years with effective assays," said Charles McGuill, product manager at Hygiena. "The new high sensitivity aflatoxin M1 assay ELISA kit meets all regulatory requirements and effectively determines the presence of aflatoxin M1."
