VICAM's New DON-NIV WB Immunoaffinity Column Significantly Enhances Laboratory Analysis of Mycotoxins

Product Can Detect Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Nivalenol (NIV) in a Single Run

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Jul 02, 2012, 08:30 ET

MILFORD, Mass., July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) today announced that VICAM®, a Waters® Business, introduced the DON-NIV™ WB Immunoaffinity (IA) column, the only IA column on the market to simultaneously screen for deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV). Coupled with liquid chromatography analysis, the DON-NIV WB column provides over 90% recovery of both DON and NIV and doubles the productivity of commercial, government, and food safety research laboratories.

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"The new DON-NIV WB column provides rapid and simple sample preparation using the superior strength of monoclonal antibody technology. DON and NIV are analyzed simultaneously in the same sample, facilitating efficient research and more effective risk management for industry," said Dr. Stephen Powers, Head of Research & Development for VICAM.

"DON was the first trichothecene mycotoxin to be regulated by many countries. Increased interest in related toxins such as NIV drives the need for improved technologies," comments Marjorie Radlo, General Manager, Director of Operations, for VICAM.

DON and NIV are trichothecene mycotoxins produced by fusarium molds. Animal feeds which are contaminated with fusarium toxins cause feed refusal, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea – resulting in significant health, production, and economic risks. NIV has also been linked to lung and brain hemorrhage and bone marrow injury through disruption of DNA and protein synthesis.

The DON-NIV WB column meets all of the stringent European Union regulations for the recovery of DON in food and feeds which specify 0.2 ppm for infant foods, 0.5 ppm for breads, pastries, biscuits and cereals, and 1.75 ppm for wheat, oats, and maize. The US Food and Drug Administration advise no more than 1 ppm DON in wheat products intended for human consumption and specific levels for feeding of livestock animals. While there are currently no officially set detection limits for NIV, growing research on the co-occurrence of toxins and the potential for amplified toxicity is driving the need for increased awareness and potential regulation.

This product will be revealed at the MycoRed North America Conference in Ottowa, Canada on June 25, 2012. Data will be discussed at a presentation given by Dr. Michelangelo Pascale, Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, Italy.

For more information on the DON-NIV WB Immunoaffinity Column, please visit VICAM's website at www.vicam.com/DONNIV.

VICAM offers detection systems for single and multiple mycotoxin quantification both onsite and in-laboratory screening. Mycotoxins are naturally occurring chemical byproducts of ubiquitous mold species which are natural inhabitants of crop soils. Severe rain or drought can encourage mycotoxin production and, once released, mycotoxins are difficult to manage and virtually impossible to destroy. The USDA, FDA, EU, and other international regulatory standards impose specific guidelines for acceptable levels for various mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON), ochratoxin A, fumonisin, zearalenone, and T-2/HT-2. Producers and exporters use onsite testing to ensure regulatory compliance and to protect human and animal health.

About VICAM, A Waters Business (www.vicam.com)

VICAM is a world-leading provider of mycotoxin testing solutions. Since 1985, VICAM has been dedicated to developing USDA- and AOAC-approved rapid tests for mycotoxins. VICAM's mycotoxin test kits offer a choice of rapid qualitative screening and quantitative test methods for a wide variety of mycotoxins. Around the world, VICAM products are used with confidence by customers who trust our commitment to extending the value of those products with unmatched service and support. We guarantee satisfaction with expert technical assistance and top-of-the-line customer care through a global scientific and distribution network that develops, markets, sells, and services our products in more than 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.vicam.com or call +1.508.482.4935.

About Waters Corporation (www.waters.com)

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) creates business advantages for laboratory-dependent organizations by delivering practical and sustainable innovation to enable significant advancements in such areas as healthcare delivery, environmental management, food safety, and water quality worldwide.

Pioneering a connected portfolio of separations science, laboratory information management, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis, Waters' technology breakthroughs and laboratory solutions provide an enduring platform for customer success.

With revenue of $1.85 billion in 2011, Waters is driving scientific discovery and operational excellence for customers worldwide.

Waters, VICAM, and DON-NIV are trademarks of Waters Corporation.

SOURCE Waters Corporation