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MDS Analytical Technologies Announces Availability of New High-Throughput Method to Detect Melamine in Food

Molecular Devices®
11 Nov 2008
Samantha Rosoman
Campaign Coordinator

Product news

MDS Analytical Technologies, a leader in innovative solutions for drug discovery and life-sciences research, today announced that the Abraxis Melamine Detection Kit has been validated for use on MDS Analytical Technologies' SpectraMax® absorbance microplate readers with SoftMax® Pro 5 GxP analytical software, an industry-standard analysis software for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.

This solution from MDS Analytical Technologies offers a cost-effective, high-throughput, quality-assurance solution to detect melamine contamination in such food products as milk, infant formula, pet food, and confectionery.

Melamine, an organic industrial polymer, has recently been found in various foods and, if undetected, may cause serious illness or death. This enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) solution will enable quality-assurance technicians in food-safety laboratories to easily detect the presence of melamine down to 10 parts per billion (ppb).

"Recent stories of melamine-related illnesses and deaths have made melamine contamination a serious concern," said Andy Boorn, President of MDS Analytical Technologies. "The pre-programmed melamine protocol in SoftMax Pro 5 GxP software, combined with our microplate readers, enables us to offer a more-complete high-throughput solution to better address what has become an increasingly important consumer safety issue."

This solution further enables MDS Analytical Technologies to expand its offering in applied markets. MDS Analytical Technologies also offers a mass spectrometry-based solution for food safety testing introduced earlier this year through its joint venture partnership with Applied Biosystems.

"The teams at both companies are excited to offer a cost-effective, highly sensitive quality-control solution for the detection of melamine," said Fernando M. Rubio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Abraxis LLC. "Our collaboration with MDS Analytical Technologies has provided the food industry throughout the world with an easy and affordable method to ensure foods have not been contaminated by melamine."

SpectraMax® microplate readers can be integrated with the MDS Analytical Technologies' StakMax® microplate handling system. Technicians may also configure the StakMax® system with MDS Analytical Technologies' AquaMax® 4000 microplate washer. These combinations can be used to maximize throughput while minimizing manual plate handling.

To download application notes on this method, please visit the article webpage.

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Mass SpectrometryMass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify and quantify molecules based on the mass-to-charge ratio of gas-phase ions. It provides detailed information about the structure, composition, and properties of compounds and is widely used across fields such as environmental monitoring, materials science, drug discovery and development, food and beverage testing, and wider chemical research. Key MS techniques include tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LS-MS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS). Choosing from these wide range of techniques and technologies can be a daunting task, so keep up to date with scientific applications, performance expectations, and customer reviews here all in one place. Visit our product directory to receive quotes direct from the manufacturer. MicroplatesMicroplates are multi-well plates used to increase the throughput of biological investigations. The number of wells microplates contain can range from 6 to 3243 wells, with the 96-well format being the most commonly used. Microplates can come tailored for a range of applications including cell culture, PCR, filtration, storage, non-binding surface, protein crystallization, as well as pre-coated, deep well and normal Standard microplates. Additionally, options for microplate colors include clear , black, white or black with clear bottom and white with clear bottom for absorbance microplate reader applications. Find the best microplates for your lab in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Data AnalysisData analysis hardware and software is available to make data processing straight-forward yet powerful. Data software can be used for math and stats, technical graphing and image analysis. In addition, software is available for specific data analysis of electrophoresis, densitometry, ELISA and DNA sequencing.Microplate Readers / DetectorsMicroplate readers are used to automate the detection and analysis of labeled or label-free components in microplates during assays or live-cell monitoring. Microplate readers are generally distinguished by their mode of detection. Types include absorbance, luminescence, fluorescence intensity, fluorescence polarization, TRF / FRET and multimode microplate readers. Microplate readers deliver a high throughput of samples by reading multiple wells simultaneously, with the 96-well format the most commonly used. As a result, microplate readers are often used in the drug discovery, bioassays, research and pharmaceutical industries for screening applications. Microplate loading can also be automated, with robotic microplate stackers to increase throughput. Find the best microplate readers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.

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MDS Analytical Technologies Announces Availability of New High-Throughput Method to Detect Melamine in Food