Biacore vitamin test kits receive AOAC R I certification

16/03/06 Biacore International AB has announced that its proprietary food analysis kits for routine testing of water soluble vitamins have now been fully validated and certified as a Performance Tested MethodSM, Qflex Kit Vitamin B2 PI (Certificate No. 010604), Qflex Kit Vitamin B12 PI (Certificate No. 010605), Qflex Kit Biotin (Certificate No. 010606) and Qflex Kit Folic acid (Certificate No.080201), by the Association of Analytical Communities Research Institute (AOAC RI*).

This internationally recognized certification of Biacore´s new range of Qflex Kits for analysis of: vitamin B2, vitamin B12, biotin, folic acid and pantothenic acid (the latter is in the final stage of certification), means that food manufacturers worldwide now have a trusted and effective routine means to meet legal requirements on vitamin fortification, to ensure product quality and to speed up batch release times. These water-soluble vitamins are measured in a variety of foodstuffs, including cereals, milk-based infant formula, powder, soya-based infant formula, fortified beverages, pre-mixes and dietary vitamin supplements.

Used together with the company´s BiacoreÒ Q system, Qflex Kits significantly reduce sample preparation times in comparison to traditional microbiology-based assays (MBA) and HPLC. Total analysis time is reduced and throughput increased resulting in higher productivity and lower costs. These ready-to-use kits also offer greater specificity and sensitivity than existing solutions.

"As a supplier to the food analysis industry, international certification of our technology is of immense importance to us. It provides potential users with the confidence that Biacore analysis offers a truly effective alternative to the traditional methods largely used in the food industry today," said Esa Stenberg, Vice President and Head of Food Analysis at Biacore.

*As the foremost body for determining food testing standards in the world, the AOAC fulfils an essential role in ensuring that food manufacturers have trusted and effective methods of meeting the legal requirements for food quality and safety. Test kits found to be in conformance with their claims are granted Performance Tested Methods status by the AOAC Research Institute. The Performance Tested Methods status assures the test kit user that an independent assessment has been conducted and the kit performs as claimed.