PerkinElmer, Inc. launched MaxSignalTM HTS Nitrofurans and Chloramphenicol ELISA Kits which will help food safety, quality and aquaculture labs simultaneously and accurately perform same-day testing for all five targeted antibiotic residues in farmed shrimp to a detection level of < 0.1ppb. The new assays, when combined with Dynex Technologies’ DS-2® automation system, will drive the analysis of 192 samples in less than 90 minutes.

With the addition of this solution and its existing QSight® 400 Series Triple Quad Mass Spectrometer, PerkinElmer now offers end-to-end testing options and workflows to meet the needs of small to medium-sized seafood facilities and labs up through large processors. Additionally, the new automated antibiotic assay solution broadens PerkinElmer’s overall food safety and quality portfolio of instruments, analysis software, testing kits, reagents and services for grain, dairy, meats, edible oils and more.

The new kit was designed and developed specifically for the aquaculture industry, PerkinElmer’s MaxSignal HTS Nitrofurans and Chloramphenicol ELISA Kits deliver a simple, 5-in-1 sample preparation method for AOZ, AMOZ, SEM and AHD Nitrofurans as well as Chloramphenicol, saving on time and reagent use.

When used with the Dynex DS-2, analysis is then automated and accelerated further and provides highly accurate and consistent results that enable more timely and informed decisions for incoming seafood lots. Adding single instrument testing automation for all five targets also reduces cross-contamination risks while requiring less hands-on technician time and lab bench space. Finally, the integrated bar-code scanner of the DS-2 provides excellent sample traceability and data can be easily linked to LIMS for seamless results recording and sharing.

“Antibiotic residues in seafood pose consumer concerns around developing antibiotic resistance and can also affect the reputation of the global shrimp aquaculture industry,” said Greg Sears, vice president and general manager, Food, PerkinElmer. “Ensuring the safety and quality of farmed seafood is important to our customers and our new solution will help shrimp farmers and producers more easily meet regulatory requirements through faster, smarter and more traceable antibiotic residue detection.”