Traditionally, testing for mycotoxins in food has been a time-consuming process, especially when dealing with complex sample matrices like cocoa powder, roasted coffee, medicinal herbs, and spices. Rapid methods were once limited to simpler matrices like corn, wheat, and rice. However, VICAM’s latest innovation is revolutionizing the food quality monitoring landscape.
Introducing Ochra-V MAX: A Breakthrough in Rapid Mycotoxin Testing
The Ochra-V MAX, VICAM’s newest rapid test, is a game-changer in the industry. It combines two of the most powerful antibody-based technologies to deliver precise ochratoxin A results in just 15 minutes—dramatically faster than the days or weeks typically required when relying on traditional lab testing methods.
This rapid turnaround is especially critical in industries where time-sensitive decisions can significantly impact product quality and safety. For example, cocoa powder, a notoriously difficult matrix for mycotoxin testing, can now be analyzed quickly and accurately, allowing producers to take immediate action if necessary. This leap in technology ensures that quality management can happen in real time, rather than after the fact.
Learn more about the Ochra-V MAX.
The AgTech Breakthrough Innovation Award: Creating Possibilities
The recognition from the AgTech Breakthrough Innovation Awards underscores the pressing need for new approaches in preventive testing. By bringing testing upstream—directly into the production process—companies can identify and mitigate potential issues before they escalate, ensuring safer products reach consumers.
This shift toward real-time, on-site testing is a significant departure from the past, where complex matrices were often left to lengthy and costly lab analyses. The Ochra-V MAX test exemplifies how innovation in rapid testing methods can now tackle even the most challenging samples with unprecedented speed and accuracy—an innovation that is sure to also be applicable in animal feed matrices.
Expanding the Horizon: From Cocoa to Coffee, Herbs, and Spices
The implications of this breakthrough extend beyond just cocoa powder. The success of Ochra-V MAX opens the door to rapid testing in other complex matrices that have long presented challenges for ELISA-based methods. Roasted coffee, medicinal herbs, and spices are just a few examples of products that can benefit from this technology, providing producers with the tools they need to maintain high standards of food safety across a wider range of products.
VICAM’s achievement in developing the Ochra-V MAX is more than just a technical triumph—it’s a significant step forward in the fight against mycotoxin contamination. By enabling rapid, accurate testing in complex samples, VICAM is helping to safeguard the global food supply and setting a new standard for food quality solutions.
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