MDS Analytical Technologies announces validation of two more kits for high-throughput detection of melamine in food

SUNNYVALE, CA, Feb. 19, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ - MDS Analytical Technologies, a leader in innovative solutions for drug discovery and life sciences research, today announced that two new assay kits - the Melamine Plate Kit from Beacon Analytical Systems, which focuses on the development and manufacture of immunodiagnostic kits for environmental and food/feed testing markets, and the AgraQuant Melamine ELISA Test Kits from Romer Labs, a leader in diagnostic solutions for mycotoxins and genetically modified organisms - have 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 high-throughput solution from MDS Analytical Technologies offers a cost-effective method for the detection of melamine, an organic industrial polymer that has recently been found in various foods and may cause serious illness or death. These enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) solutions offer food-safety technicians more options in their continued effort to detect the presence of melamine.

"Melamine contamination continues to be a major concern and emphasis on finding effective detection methods is growing," said Andy Boorn, President of MDS Analytical Technologies. "In the past three months, MDS Analytical Technologies has now validated three such detection kits to run on our hardware and software. We're very pleased to be the emerging leader in high-throughput, cost-effective melamine detection solutions."

Mass-spectrometry systems made by MDS Analytical Technologies are also used throughout the world to scan, identify and measure food contaminants, such as melamine. Mass-spectrometry systems, including the recently announced AB SCIEX QTRAP® 5500 and AB SCIEX Triple QuadTM 5500, deliver high sensitivity, selectivity, high speed and reliability of results in laboratory analysis, enabling rapid detection and ultimately stronger compliance with, and enforcement of, food-safety regulations.

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 www.moleculardevices.com/melamine. Alternatively, customers can call our Customer Service department at (408) 747-1700 to speak to a sales representative.

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