AGRO 47 |
| Determination of the presence of ruminant content in feeds is essential to limit the spread of TSE. Regulations in both Europe and the United States require that there be no ruminant proteins in ruminant animal feeds (with exceptions for blood, milk and gelatin). To enforce this ban, the FDA has suggested the use of quick test kits or microscopy at all facilities that manufacture ruminant feed. The purpose of this assay is to provide quick, reliable screening of ruminant feeds for the presence of ruminant proteins prior to sale or export. While microscopy has been the standard method for the detection of ruminant content in feeds, it is costly, time-consuming, non-species specific, and requires extensive analyst training. Similar issues make NIRM, NIRS and PCR undesirable as screening assays. The MELISA-Tek Ruminant Assay is an ELISA method that detects troponin-I, a heat-stable, muscle-specific protein. Thus it detects the major banned ruminant protein (muscle) after high-temperature processing, without detecting exempted materials. We have developed a concentration protocol that makes the MELISA-Tek Ruminant assay a sensitive screening tool. Slaughtering processes typically remove the majority of muscle tissue from carcasses, leaving little muscle tissue when rendered. Nonetheless, as originally developed, the MELISA-Tek Ruminant assay had a LOD of 0.005% for ruminant muscle tissue and 0.5-1% for ruminant MBM, in feed. The high-sensitivity protocol improves the LOD to 0.1% (w/w) for commercial beef and sheep MBM in feeds without increasing its response to feed matrices or non-ruminant tissues. This protocol should increase the utility of ELISA assays in screening ruminant feeds for sale or export, and help guarantee the safety of the ruminant feed supply. |
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New Developments and Issues in Agrochemical Sciences
8:00 AM-11:00 AM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster
Sci-Mix
Division of Agrochemicals |