Casein (Milk)
Background:
For the detection of bovine milk in foodstuffs, sensitive detection systems are required. Approximately 80% of bovine milk proteins are caseins. These heat-stable allergens represent the main fraction of bovine milk proteins. Bovine milk is one of the most important allergenic food ingredients, especially for children. Very low amounts of bovine milk can cause allergic reactions, which may lead to anaphylactic shock in severe cases. Because of this, milk allergic persons must strictly avoid the consumption of milk or foods containing milk. In particular, the risk of hidden milk proteins in foods such as sausage, cookies, ready meals or beverages represent a critical problem for milk allergic persons.
This analysis is intended to confirm the absence of Casein in food, rinse waters and swab samples.
Method
Romer Labs AgraStrip Casein
Apparatus
Romer Labs AgraStrip
Turn Around Time
Same Day for Swabs
5 to 10 Business Days for Product
Sample Required – Swab
5cm x 5cm (25 cm2) or 10cm x 10 cm (100 cm2)
Sample Required – Product
0.2 grams of a representative sample
Sample Required – Rinse Water
0.5 mL Rinse Water
Type of Test
Lateral Flow Device; Test Strip
Reportable Units
Product: ppm = mg/L
Swabs: µg/cm2
detection limit – swab
Lower Detection Limit: 1 µg/cm2 or 0.25 µg/100cm2 Casein
detection limit – Product
Lower Detection Limit: 1 ppm Casein
detection limit – Rinse water
Lower Detection Limit: 0.06 ppm (60 ppb) Casein
Analysis Description:
Immunological rapid test in lateral flow format for the detection of Casein in food, rinse waters and swab samples (environmental samples). The extracted sample is transferred to an incubation vial that contains specific ready-to-use antibodies. If the sample contains Casein, an antigen-antibody complex will form. This is subsequently detected by the test strip.
Notes:
This assay is not appropriate for food products which are known to contain Casein. If the sample contains more than 1% (10,000 ppm) Casein, the assay will be overwhelmed and give a false-negative result.
Sampling:
Consideration must be taken that the food may contain an uneven distribution of Casein (spot contamination). It is important to provide a representative portion of food as only a small amount of material is tested.
