The symposium update issues on the field of the analysis of Marine and Freshwater toxins, with special focus on new method developments, method validation efforts, and method implementation, as a joint meeting with the AOAC Task Force on Marine and Freshwater Toxins.

Zeulab presented a poster showing different options to implement the PP2A method, OkaTest, for lipophilic toxins monitoring complying with the legal requirements.

OkaTest could be used in routine monitoring determining OA-toxins group while LC-MS test for YTX, PTX and AZA. This would reduce the injections by half and so the turnaround time.

OkaTest can also be implemented when a OA-bloom has been identified. Labs with large number of samples or limited access to LC-MS equipment could benefit from using both methodologies in combination. A shorter time-around time and low cost per sample could be achieved implementing both methods for routine monitoring of lipophilic toxins.

This international symposium brought together experts in the field of biotoxins, from many European countries and other worldwide locations such as Mexico, USA, Canada, Japan, are some of the countries that participated in the symposium.

Water temperatures significantly affect the limits of phytoplankton growth rates: populations near the equator have the potential to grow much faster than strains found in cooler waters, near the poles, given sufficient nutrients. The researchers of this study believe that current models underestimate the effects of rising temperatures on ocean ecosystems. Such models focus on indirect mechanisms, such as how rising temperatures lead to fewer nutrients in surface ocean waters. This study therefore investigated the direct effect of higher temperatures on individual phytoplankton species.

The scientists used an eco-evolutionary model to investigate how phytoplankton adapts to current ocean temperatures. They also used species distribution models, to predict how ocean temperature changes would affect populations.

The results suggest that by the end of the 21st century, warmer oceans will lead to a greater diversity of plankton populations nearer the poles, but fewer varieties in warmer, tropical waters at the equator. Even though marine organisms can disperse over long distances carried by ocean currents, each plankton strain grows best at an optimum temperature and adapts to its local environment. Tropical strains appear to be most vulnerable to rising temperatures. The researchers predict that around a third of current strains in the tropics would become extinct by 2100 if mean temperatures increase by just 2°C. However, high genetic diversity within species may prevent the loss of entire species.

Rising temperatures will thus affect phytoplankton in different ways, depending on their location. Until we learn more about how phytoplankton evolves, there is significant uncertainty regarding how these organisms will respond to climate change and to what extent we can rely upon them to remove CO2 from our atmosphere. The future health of the ocean ecosystems that depend on them is also threatened.

Source: European Commission News Alert: Science for Environment Policy

Thomas, M.K., Kremer, C.T., Klausmeier, C.A., and Litchman, E. (2012) A Global Pattern of Thermal Adaptation in Marine Phytoplankton. Science. 338: 1085-1088.

Smienk.et al.2013, JAOAC, 96,1,77-85

Abstract
A collaborative study to validate a colorimetric phosphatase inhibition assay for quantitative determination of the okadaic acid (OA) toxins group in molluscs, OkaTest, was conducted.
Eight test materials including mussels, scallops, clams and cockles were analysed as blind duplicates. Blank samples and materials containing different OA-toxin levels ranging from 98 to 275 µg/kg OA equivalents were included. The study was carried out by a total of 16 laboratories from 11 different countries.
Values obtained for repeatability relative standard deviations (RSDr) ranged from 5.4% to 11.2% (mean 7.5%). Reproducibility relative standard deviation (RSDR) values were between 7.6% and 13.2% (mean 9.9%). The HORRAT values ranged between 0.4 and 0.6. A recovery assay was also carried out using a sample spiked with OA. A mean recovery of 98.0% and a relative standard deviation of 14.5% were obtained.
The results obtained in this validation study indicate that the colorimetric phosphatase inhibition assay, OkaTest, is suitable for the quantitative determination of the OA-toxins group. OkaTest could be used as a complementary test to the reference method for monitoring the OA-toxin group.

Details of the test materials, number of results submitted and results after removing outliers, together with performance values of precision (repeatability and reproducibility) obtained for the colorimetric OkaTest.
Sr: Repeatability standard deviation. SR: Reproducibility standard deviation. RSDr: Repeatability relative standard deviation. RSDR: Reproducibility relative standard deviation.  r: Repeatability Limit, R: Reproducibility Limit.

The processing of milk could have been a relevant development in prehistoric agriculture not only allowing the preservation of milk, but also manufacturing milk derivates with less lactose more easily to digest.

Salque M., et al. Nature. 2013 Jan 24;493(7433):522-5. doi: 10.1038/nature11698

The fraudulent addition of cow´s milk during the manufacturing of water buffalo Mozzarella cheese has increased in recent years, due to the growing market demands in EU (European Union). Mozzarella cheese is registered with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) that demands it only can be made from water buffalo´s milk. Finally, the European Regulations concerning cheeses from different species milk, buffalo included, demand to verify by appropriate controls that no cow´s milk has been incorporated.

The NEW IC BUFFALO is a qualitative test to detect the presence of cow’s milk in buffalo´s milk. The kit is an immunochromatography test based on the detection of bovine immunoglobulins (IgG) in milk samples. This test can be used with fresh, pasteurised, whole or skim milk. The IC BUFFALO kit does not require any technical skills or lab equipment and can allow cheese producers to make fast decisions, which can save them money and ensure the quality of the final product.

ZEU-INMUNOTEC offers other rapid screening test kits to identify the presence of cow’s milk in sheep and goat milk (IC-Bovino), or alternatively to detect goat’s milk in cow’s (IC-Caprino). ELISA tests (RC-Bovino and RC-Caprino) are also available for quantification of the milk mixture.

Original source: Wen, S. et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2012 Dec 11;109(50):20543-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1217927109.

Different relevant subjects such as the shellfish situation in Europe and the role of DG Mare, or the national shellfish production were discussed.  With regards to the shellfish safety, the director of the National Reference laboratory for marine toxins presented the validation of LC-MS method for lipophilic toxins monitoring.

ZEU INMUNOTEC together with its local partner DIESSECHEM presented the kit OkaTest for determination of OA-toxins in shellfish OkaTest is a functional assay able to detect the toxicity due to these type of toxins in shellfish samples. The kit is rapid and easy-to-use and it can be used as complementary to the reference method for lipiophilic toxins monitoring. OkaTest has been inter-laboratory validated by 16 labs and complies with the European Reference lab for marine toxins requirements and current regulations EC No.15/2011

During the meeting many interesting topics were covered. Innovation in ormer farming and mussels, pearl farming around the world and the opportunities and challenges for the aquaculture industry.

The seafood in schools programme was also presented. This is an innovative project to teach new generations how to enjoy eating shellfish.

The conference also had the contribution of top scientists who updated the audience on four research projects on mussel live transportation or management of algae toxins.

ZEU-INMUNOTEC presented a functional assay for determination of OA-toxins in shellfish –OkaTest. Marine toxins management is an important issue for shellfish growers and regulatory bodies. OkaTest is a very easy assay for detection of all okadaic acid diarrheic toxins commonly found in Scottish coastal areas. The test can be used complementary to the reference method for official testing or by shellfish producers running their own checks.

During the meeting, ZEU INMUNOTEC presented the last updates in detection of antibiotic residues tests. Discussions focused on Eclipse 3G, which is the official test in France for inhibitors residues in milk. Eclipse 3G is therefore used by all interprofessional labs, big dairy players and farmers. Technical aspects of the test as well as current actual market share and opportunities were looked into.

The new Explorer 2.0 for detection of inhibitor residues in meat and other food matrices was introduced to all attendees during the meeting. Explorer 2.0 an easy-to-use test for screening of antibiotics residues is the perfect tool to ensure that meat products comply with antibiotics residues regulations. Explorer detects most used antibiotics groups at the European MRLs.

Analytical trends in food allergens detection, latest developments in dairy adulterations or algae toxins analysis were also discussed.

The meeting was characterized by its extensive audience participation, networking and communication. During the second day all distributors had the opportunity to  ​​make comments and suggestions in a roundtable discussion.

Moreover, French and Greek distributors spoke about real cases of success referring to the peculiarities of their markets and commercial cooperation with ZEU INMUNOTEC.

After the meeting, Barcelona Highlights were visited and all participants finished the day with a pleasant dinner in the Olympic port tasting some of the most typical dishes from the Mediterranean.

ZEU- INMUNOTEC extends its appreciation to all attendees who travelled to Barcelona to be at the meeting and encourage them to continue working and collaborating with new ideas to offer new products and services.

University of Copenhagen and University Collage Cork have studied the effect of antibiotic residues, oxytetracycline, pencicillin and erythromycin, in the meat used for sausage production (Ingmer et al, mBio 2012 vol.3).

Data show that residual antibiotics in the meat can prevent or reduce fermentation by the lactic acid bacteria, affecting the quality of the final product.

Antibiotics are frequently used in veterinary medicine both for therapeutic value ant to enhance growth and food efficiency. Consequently, these practices might lead to a possible occurrence of residues in food.

Food contaminated with antibiotic residues should be prevented from reaching the consumer. The detection of antibiotics is compulsory and levels should comply with the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) state by the European Union (Commission Regulation (EU) No 37/2010).

ZEU-INMUNOTEC, leader company in food quality, offers Explorer kit for detection of antibiotics en meat to avoid the presence of antibiotics in food chain.

Source: mBiosphere