Eureka status for rapid food pathogen test
meat producers by RnA Assays and UK-based Alaska Food Diagnostics
has been awarded EUREKA status.
The companies hope the backing from EUREKA will increase the possibility of research and development funding from both private equity and government sources. A statement by the companies said that RnA is working with Alaska to develop: "a rapid, high- throughput version" of its Plex assay system, which provides multiple results in one sample run. Based in Utrecht, Netherlands, RnA has developed a multi-analyte Plex assay for use in diagnostic laboratories, that detects microbial and non-microbial contaminations simultaneously in a single sample. RnA specialises in the development and application of time and cost saving diagnostic assays for safety and quality control in the food production sectors with a focus on food of animal origin. The company says the assay can be applied to groups of animals at time of slaughter to establish the contamination status of an animal population. It also allows producers and processors to assure the safety of final food products. RnA launched its first multiplex assay, Sal Plex, in June 2007. The company says that Sal Plex makes it possible to measure anti-Salmonella antibodies in such mediums as plasma, serum, and eggs. Furthermore, it is claimed that users are able to: "perform serological analyses on thousands of samples within 24 hours" and there is a: "direct analyses outcome for five different serogroups, B, C1, C2, D and E simultaneously." Alaska, which is a joint venture with the UK Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory, specialises in the rapid detection of pathogens in food, and has already developed the fastrAK rapid microbiology system. The companies' statement says: "This presents a significant technological advance to the global food processing industry sector by offering same-shift time to result for E. coli 0157 and early-next-day results for Salmonella tests. In a press release issued in June 2007 the company said its fastrAK Salmonella rapid test yielded results within 18 hours from sample receipt and provided results with over 97 per cent sensitivity and 94 per cent specificity in a range of processed poultry foods. When compared with the conventional culture method requiring three days for a confirmed negative result and over five days for a confirmed positive result: "the assay saves two to four operating days." Alaska was unable to confirm to foodproductiondaily.com at this stage whether fastrAK will be an integral part of the rapid high-throughput version of Plex. Equally, the companies are currently unable to comment on when the rapid high-throughput version of the Plex assays might be ready The joint statement by the companies says: "Alaska and RnA are working together to provide meat producers and importers with improved tools and technology for rapid and reliable food safety and quality control testing." EUREKA is a European intergovernmental body that aims to enhance Europe's competitiveness through its support to businesses, research centres and universities involved in pan-European projects to develop innovative products, processes and services. EUREKA offers project partners access to knowledge, skills and expertise across Europe and facilitates access to national public and private funding schemes.
