VitaKit™ A & D
Summary
VitaKits™ permit the rapid analysis of vitamins A & D in fortified products. The technology is based on proprietary monoclonal antibodies against these vitamins developed by SciMed. As an ELISA-method, these assays require only a microplate reader, and can be completed with only minimal training.
Technology Behind VitaKit™
VitaKit™ technology can be divided into two major innovations: a new vitamin extraction procedure, and the ELISA assay:
- Vitamin extraction
Current methods of extracting the fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A & D) require an overnight saponification using a large amount of potassium hydroxide, and then require a technician-intensive, all-day extraction. The VitaKit™ line revolutionizes this by using less than 1% of the reagents previously used, and the process is complete in less than 1 hour. Additionally, SciMed has automated much of the process, permitting technicians to handle a greater number of samples, as opposed to the current maximum of 5. - ELISA Assay
SciMed has developed proprietary monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against vitamins A & D, which permit the measurement of these vitamins using ELISA. Currently, a technician must use an expensive HPLC, and run only one sample at a time, leading to long analysis time. With the ELISA method, it is simply a matter of loading the sample onto the included 96-well plate, then loading the antibody, and finally measuring the absorbance using a much less expensive ELISA reader. Using the VitaKit™ methodology, a technician can analyze as many samples concurrently as can fit on a plate!
Due to the reduced human-interaction, the ELISA methodology for vitamin analysis has been documented to be much more accurate than the HPLC method. The error permissible in HPLC analysis is 50%! As demonstrated by our validation studies, SciMed has been able to reduce this error to as low as 4%.
The VitaKit™ line has been validated by a blind study involving some of the major North American dairy processors, including: Fonterra, Lucerne, Parmalat, Saputo, and Nestle.
Why Use a VitaKit™? Save Time & Money!
- Ability to process up to 41 separate samples, all done at once by 1 technician;
- Total time of less than 2 hours, including sample extraction and data processing;
- Concurrent analysis of Vitamin A & D. No more preparative HPLC;
- Can be used with minimal training and experience.
Who Can Use a VitaKit™?
- Analytical laboratories involved in food quality assurance testing;
- In-house by food processors to get immediate results for quality control;
- Product development researchers seeking higher quality processed food for the discerning customer;
- Regulatory and inspection agencies to ensure end-user (customer) safety.
Comparative Analysis
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Note: SciMed has optimized the test to fit North American fortification parameters. SciMed makes no guarantees of performance where other fortification parameters are used.