VICAM's New Fumo-V Strip Tests Delivers Accurate Detection of Fumonisin Mycotoxins in Minutes

MILFORD, Mass., March 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) today announced VICAM®, a Waters^® Business, introduced the Fumo-V™ strip test, the newest member of its quantitative strip test family. Designed to work with the portable Vertu™ Lateral Flow Reader, Fumo-V uses the proven sensitivity and selectivity of VICAM's monoclonal antibodies to accurately detect and measure fumonisin B1, B2, and B3 (mycotoxins derived from fusarium) at levels as low as 0.2 ppm (parts per million) and as high as five ppm. The single dilution sample preparation procedure saves time and materials, and the strip test yields results in just five minutes.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110707/NE31586LOGO )

"Fumo-V strip tests in combination with our Vertu reader make testing for mycotoxins more accessible to food and agriculture producers worldwide. They rely on early detection to protect humans and animals from potentially lethal effects of contamination," comments Marjorie Radlo, General Manager, Director of Operations, for VICAM. "Our quantitative strip tests can easily be performed onsite or in the laboratory giving precise, numerical results."

"The Fumo-V test is well-suited to onsite locations. Users do not need to be chemists and can learn to use the test in less than 30 minutes, yet still obtain quantitative results," said Dr. Stephen Powers, Head of Research & Development for VICAM.

The economic impact of mycotoxins is vast. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 25% of the world's crops are affected by mycotoxins each year. Crop losses, management, product recalls, and regulatory oversight result in annual losses of approximately one billion metric tons of food and food products.*

Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced by several fusarium mold species that are implicated in equine leukoencephalomalacia in horses, swine pulmonary edema, and human esophageal cancer. The EU enforces maximum allowable levels as low as 0.2 ppm in infant foods to as high as four ppm fumonisin for unprocessed maize intended for human consumption. The US FDA Guidelines for fumonisin recommend 2–4 ppm level for whole and processed maize products for human consumption.

The Fumo-V test is the third strip test specially designed for use with the Vertu Lateral Flow Reader joining Afla-V™ and DON-V™ tests for aflatoxins and vomitoxins, respectively.

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring chemical byproducts of ubiquitous mold species which are natural inhabitants of crop soils. Severe rain or drought can encourage mycotoxin production and, once released, mycotoxins are difficult to manage and virtually impossible to destroy. VICAM offers detection systems for single and multiple mycotoxin quantification both onsite and in-laboratory screening. The USDA, FDA, EU, and other international regulatory standards impose specific guidelines for acceptable levels for various mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON), ochratoxin A, fumonisin, zearalenone, and T-2/HT-2. Producers and exporters use onsite testing to ensure regulatory compliance and to protect human and animal health.

About the Vertu Lateral Flow Reader

Vertu is a digital lateral flow reader for fast, easy, mycotoxin quantitation.  The Vertu reader provides more accessible mycotoxin testing to food and agriculture producers worldwide who rely on early detection to protect humans and animals from potentially lethal effects of contamination. The economic impact of mycotoxins is vast.  Crop losses, management, product recalls and regulatory oversight result in total costs in the billions of dollars annually to the global food supply chain.

No special training or expertise is required to operate VICAM's Vertu lateral flow reader. Operators obtain results in part-per-billion (ppb) or part-per-million (ppm) in minutes, providing critical data for the management and control of mycotoxins.

The Vertu technology enhances VICAM's portfolio of single-use food safety tests designed to detect contaminants in ppb and meet the increasingly stringent regulatory and economic challenges confronting today's global food chain. With a comprehensive product line evaluated and trusted by industry leaders in more than 100 countries, VICAM is the leader in rapid mycotoxin test solutions.

* ʻʻMycotoxins in Crops: A Threat to Human and Domestic Animal Health,ʼʼ David G. Schmale III, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, Gary P. Munkvold, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

About VICAM, A Waters Business (www.vicam.com)

VICAM is a world-leading provider of mycotoxin testing solutions. Since 1985, VICAM has been dedicated to developing USDA- and AOAC-approved rapid tests for mycotoxins. VICAM's mycotoxin test kits offer a choice of rapid qualitative screening and quantitative test methods for a wide variety of mycotoxins. Around the world, VICAM products are used with confidence by customers who trust our commitment to extending the value of those products with unmatched service and support. We guarantee satisfaction with expert technical assistance and top-of-the-line customer care through a global scientific and distribution network that develops, markets, sells, and services our products in more than 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.vicam.com or call +1.508.482.4935.

About Waters Corporation (www.waters.com)

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) creates business advantages for laboratory-dependent organizations by delivering practical and sustainable innovation to enable significant advancements in such areas as healthcare delivery, environmental management, food safety, and water quality worldwide.

Pioneering a connected portfolio of separations science, laboratory information management, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis, Waters' technology breakthroughs and laboratory solutions provide an enduring platform for customer success.

With revenue of $1.85 billion in 2011, Waters is driving scientific discovery and operational excellence for customers worldwide.

Waters, VICAM, Fumo-V, Afla-V, DON-V, and Vertu are trademarks of Waters Corporation.

SOURCE Waters Corporation