Charm Sciences announced Dec. 16 that its ROSA (Rapid One Step Assay) WET (Water Extraction Technology) XR Aflatoxin Quantitative test has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) for the detection, in a single five-minute assay, of 0–100 ppb aflatoxin in feed and grain. The new kit is GIPSA-approved for the following 14 commodities: barley, corn, corn flour, corn germ meal, corn meal, corn/soy blend, distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS), hominy, oats, popcorn, rough rice, sorghum, soybeans and wheat.

WET eliminates the use of organic solvents such as ethanol and methanol through the use of a non-hazardous extraction powder added to the sample followed by water. WET is a major advance in the technology of mycotoxin testing as it improves user safety and reduces the costs associated with hazardous waste disposal. WET testing material can be disposed of directly in the drain.

ROSA is the lateral flow technology used with the WET Aflatoxin test. The test can be used with existing ROSA-M Readers and with the new Charm EZ-M system.

Lawrence, MA-based Charm Sciences is a leading provider of food safety, water quality and environmental diagnostics. Charm’s diagnostics portfolio includes test kits and systems for antibiotics, mycotoxins, pesticides, alkaline phosphatase, pathogens, end-product microbial assessment, allergen control, water quality and ATP hygiene.