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USDA Acquires Protea's LAESI® Technology Platform to Identify and Screen Mycotoxins in Food

Protea Biosciences Group, Inc
30 Sept 2014
Sarah Thomas
Associate Editor

Industry news

Protea Biosciences Group, Inc. ("Protea") has announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service has purchased Protea's LAESI DP-1000 System for direct molecular analysis. The system will be used by the USDA to identify and screen for mycotoxins in food and feed that can be hazardous to humans and animals.

"The ability to directly detect mycotoxins in plants and foods will enable a more comprehensive understanding of how these toxins function, and offers the potential for improving our ability to rapidly test our foods," stated Steve Turner, Protea's CEO. He added, "LAESI's unique ability to directly and immediately analyze living cells will provide the capacity to identify mycotoxins in a high throughput format."

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi (commonly known as "molds") that can contaminate common foods. Studies have shown that when humans are exposed to small amounts of certain mycotoxins they can develop a wide range of health problems.

The LAESI DP-1000 allows the direct identification of molecules in living cells and fungal colonies, with analysis completed in seconds to minutes. Thus, molecular changes that occur in molds or fungal colonies over time can be identified and tracked. Protea will provide the LAESI DP-1000 system to the USDA coupled with proprietary software for LAESI Data Analytics (Gubbs, Inc.), a data-bridging software that enables rapid processing of large, complex molecular information data files by downstream statistical programs, to enable USDA researchers to analyze molecular information much faster than traditional methods.

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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. MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.AgricultureAgriculture research focuses on improving food production, crop management, and sustainability. This includes plant breeding, pest control, and soil health studies. Explore agriculture research tools in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Food SafetyFood safety describes the prevention of food-borne illnesses. Contamination with a variety of pathogens can be prevented with adequate temperature control, hygiene and labeling. Food samples can be tested using GC/MS, HPLC, SPE, and qPCR to ensure their adherence to regulations.MycotoxinsToxic chemicals such as Aflatoxin and Alkaloids that are produced by fungi are known as mycotoxins. In humid conditions, fungi can proliferate and colonize on crops to levels that can be damaging to human health. Food ContaminationFood contamination refers to the presence of harmful substances or pathogens in food, posing risks to human health. Contaminants can be biological, chemical, or physical, and their detection is crucial for ensuring food safety. Advanced testing methods like PCR, chromatography, and spectroscopy are used to identify contaminants in food products. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best solutions for food contamination detection, compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.

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USDA Acquires Protea's LAESI® Technology Platform to Identify and Screen Mycotoxins in Food