Qualitative animal species content tests for uncooked meats and meat products
Intended Use:
The identification of meat species is performed for a variety of reasons, both economic and ethnic, to prevent the substitution of meat with unsuitable or inferior species, or in religious communities where a particular meat species is proscribed.
The F.A.S.T. (Raw) Species Identification Kits are simple tests designed to allow the resolution of species content in uncooked meats and meat products. The technique requires little equipment and all reagents (except colour development reagent) are pre-dispensed. The method is therefore ideal for “on-site” testing, where laboratory facilities are not available, and is more economical for those laboratories with a low sample throughput.
Suitable for Testing:
Uncooked meat and meat products, processed foods etc for the qualitative detection of Beef, Horse, Pork, Sheep and Poultry content. Test packs specific for Rabbit, Kangaroo, Buffalo, Goat, Chicken and Turkey are available on special request (please enquire).
The F.A.S.T. Kit offers:
- Qualitative format Detects 2% Cow, Pig, Poultry, Sheep, Horse
- Sensitive and highly specific No known ‘false’ positives
- BIOKITS validated method Reliable results aid analytical decisions
- Versatility Available as single or mixed species kits
- Convenience Species specific colour coded tubes
Principle of the Tests:
The F.A.S.T. tests utilise anti-albumin antibodies coated onto “Immunostick” paddles. Albumin from a sample extract binds to the antibody coated paddles. Any unbound material is removed by washing the paddle under a stream of water. The amount of albumin remaining bound to the antibody-coated paddle is determined by reaction with a peroxidase enzyme labelled anti-species antibody. After incubation, excess conjugate is removed by washing and peroxidase activity determined by the addition of ABTS substrate. The reaction is halted using a fluoride stop solution.
Methodology:
Food samples are extracted using a simple saline solution. The extract is added to the Immunostick tubes and reacted in successive 10 minute incubations, interspersed with wash steps, with enzyme reagent and colour development reagent (ABTS), respectively. Positive tests result in the development of a green colouration, the level of which is proportional to the amount of species content in the extract. A qualitative determination of species content can be made by visual inspection or by using a spectrophotometer to measure the absorbance at _414nm.
Assay Schematic:
Product Details:
| Limits of Detection |
<2% Beef, Horse, Pork, Sheep, Poultry |
| Cross-reactivity |
Comprehensive validation with uncooked meats/meat products including offal, milk, sera and spike recovery.
Data available on request |
| Samples tested per kit |
20 to 25 samples per kit (five tests each for four or five species)
|
| Hands-on time |
Preparation/extraction – five samples, 10 minutes |
| Kit Contents |
Reagent set: antibody-coated Immunostick paddles; Enzyme reagent; Colour development buffer
|
| Accessory pack |
Stop solution; ABTS concentrate; Product Insert; Worksheet; 25 disposable Pasteur pipettes |
| Additional equipment |
Optional: plate reader with 414nm filter; micropipette(200μl) |
| Shelf-life |
Up to 18 months from manufacture |
| Storage |
2°C to 8°C
|
Ordering information:
BIOKITS (Raw) Species Identification F.A.S.T. Kits
Species Colour code Cat. No. Species Colour code Cat. No.
Beeff Red 502135B Sheep Green 502138U
Horse Orange 502136Y Poultry Blue 502139S
Pork Yellow 502137W Five species Controll502304E
Rabbit, Kangaroo, Buffalo, Goat, Chicken, Turkey – special manufacture - please enquire
Products in the BIOKITS range are suitable for laboratory use or on-site testing.
Two formats based on immunoassay and DNA technology are available.
Product applications include detection of:
Food Allergens, Genetically Modified Ingredients, Animal Speciation and Mycotoxins.
