Universal Sensors Previews Portable Test For Antimicrobial Growth Promoters In Animal Feed

Jan. 6, 2011 - PRLog -- A new weapon is being announced to aid the rapid detection of illegal antibiotics.  Universal Sensors will demonstrate for the first time at the scientific conference Rapid Methods Europe 2011, its new portable Vantix Research II system capable of performing a 30 minute test for 10 banned antimicrobials in animal feed.

Antibiotics have been used extensively in animal production for decades as a growth enhancer, even adding small doses (called sub-therapeutic doses) to the feed of farm animals can increase production.  Although the use of antibiotics in this way has been banned in the EU since 2006, in other parts of the world the practice is still heavily used.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA recently produced its first report of antimicrobial drug use by the American livestock industry.  It estimated that animals in the USA consumed about 13 million Kgs of antibiotics in 2009 – eight times as much as consumed by humans in the USA.  The concern is that over use of antibiotics will lead to the development of new genres of super bugs.

The ban in the EU is the final step in the phasing out of antibiotics used to prevent animals becoming ill (rather than treating them when they are ill) and is part of the overall European strategy to address the increasing emergence of bacteria and other microbes resistant to antibiotics.

In order for the EU ban to be applied effectively, analytical systems are required to detect potential abuse and this is where the new test from Universal Sensors could help.

Traditionally, the analysis of the animal feed has been confined to a laboratory with sophisticated instruments and equipment.  These techniques make it difficult to test samples of animal feed on-site where the feedstock is being made or fed to animals.  The ability to carry out a rapid test on site would allow a thorough investigation if a positive result was found.  A positive screening result on a farm may also initiate a more in-depth response, for example, more samples could be taken of additional feeding stuffs to identify how banned substance was entering the food chain.

At the scientific conference, Rapid Methods Europe 2011 in January 2011, Universal Sensors will preview for the first time, its new portable Vantix Research II system and the initial  30 minute test which ultimately will allow for the detection of 10 of the most common banned antimicrobials in animal feed with minimal sample preparation.  Details of the conference can be found at the Company’s website:  http://www.universalsensors.co.uk/events.aspx

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Vantix is a trademark of Universal Sensors

Notes to Editor

About Universal Sensors Ltd
Universal Sensors Limited has developed a biosensor platform for the detection of a range of contaminants, toxins and disease markers in complex aqueous based samples. The VantixTM biosensors are sensitive, fast and versatile so that they can be used in the assays automated in a range of product platforms. We focus on developing product systems which move tests out of the laboratory and to the point-of-care or point-of-use.
The VantixTM product range includes: a laboratory research instrument (VantixTM Research II) for the development of new methods, a desk-top Point-of-Care system in development for use in hospitals and in the community (VantixTM Point-of-Care) and a future mobile system for Point-of-Use (VantixTM Mobile).
Universal Sensors enters into collaborations and partnerships to apply this platform technology in vertical markets. Universal Sensors Limited is a subsidiary of the Sensortec Group and leads the development and commercialisation of the Sensortec IP in future generations of diagnostic and analytical devices.

Contact information
Universal Sensors Ltd
Unit 4 Abbey Barns, Duxford Road,
Ickleton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SX
United Kingdom
e: news@universalsensors.co.uk  
w : www.universalsensors.co.uk

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Universal Sensors design and manufactures biosensors that are sensitive, fast and versatile. Its unique Vantix biosensor technology allows tests that traditionally take several hours of laboratory time to be performed in minutes.