Beta-lactams are one of the most frequently used families of antibiotics in food producing animals. For consumer protection, maximum residue limits (MRLs) have been set to control the amount of beta-lactams (both penicillins and cephalosporins) residues present in food.

Using patented biochip array technology Randox Food Diagnostics can now offer a unique biochip array platform to detect 16 of these residues in milk. Unlike many other commercial tests currently employed for this monitoring, the biochip platform considerably reduces labour time and cost by allowing 45 samples to be tested in less than 2hr. A quantitative concentration will be obtained rather than a qualitative negative/positive reading. Detection capabilities using the array are as low as 0.4ppb – 0.8ppb for pencillins G, ampicillin and amoxicillin; all well below global tolerance levels or maximum residue limits.

Benefits include:

• Excellent sensitivity to both penicillins and cephalosporins
• 45 samples can be assayed in under 2hr
• Rapid sample preparation (only centrifugation)
• Reduced labour cost
• Very low detection capabilities

The beta-lactams array has the ability to detect 16 penicillin and cephalosporin compounds in milk (Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Cloxacillin, Dicloxacillin, Nafcillin, Oxacillin, Penicillin G, Penicillin V, Cefacetril, Cefazolin, Cefoperazone, Cefquinome, Ceftiofur, Cephalexin, Cephalonium, Cephapirin).

Randox Food Diagnostics also offers an extensive list of test kits that can satisfy the testing needs of any dairy. Test kits are also available for determination of sulphonamides, quinolones, chloramphenicol, nitrofurans, tylosin/tilmicosin and tetracyclines.

For further information please contact Randox Food Diagnostics or visit the company’s website.