Issue 2012-2

for the milling, grain and ethanol industries

n e o g e n Co r p o r at i o na leader in food safety solutions

To contact Neogen, call 800/234-5333 (USA /Canada) or 517/372-9200 • E-mail: foodsafety@neogen.com Web: www.neogen.com • Corporate Headquarters: 620 Lesher Place, Lansing, Michigan 48912 USA

© Neogen Corporation, 2012. Neogen markets a complete line of food and animal safety solutions, and is a publicly-owned company listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol NEOG. For more information about Neogen, please visit www.neogen.com or www.nasdaq.com.

High temperatures and a lack of precipitation aren’t the only issues plaguing farmers this year—the drought also has led to an outbreak of a carcinogenic mycotoxin—aflatoxin.Aflatoxin is produced by certain strains of the mold Aspergillus, which flourishes in hot and dry conditions such as those created by this summer’s drought. Ingesting excessive amounts of aflatoxin can cause chronic health problems, including liver damage or can-cer, decreased milk and egg production, immune suppression and reduced reproductive efficiency. With confirmed reports of aflatox-in in more than eight states ranging from Texas to South Carolina, testing is more important than ever. Obtaining a representative sample is critical when testing for afla-toxin, a task that is difficult in large containers such as hopper cars and barges. Since mycotoxin contamination typically is not evenly distributed throughout a load, it is difficult to get an accurate repre-sentation without a significant sample size. To obtain a representa-tive sample, use the appropriate probe size for gathering the sample (which is dependent on the type of container used to transport the grain) and ensure the number of samples taken also is appropriate for the container. The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Ad-ministration (GIPSA) recommends following the guidelines below to obtain a representative sample:

Carrier probe lengthprobes per

compartmentBarges 12 feet 1Hopper car 10–12 feet 1Boxcar 6 feet 5Truck 5–6 feet 7Hopper-bottom car 6–10 feet 2

For more information, visit www.gipsa.usda.gov/fgis/insp_weigh/sampling.html

Once a representative sample of 3 to 5 lbs is obtained, blend the sample through a multichannel grain divider. Grind the sample to a fine consistency (e.g., 75 percent passes through a 20 mesh screen).Neogen has several testing options for aflatoxin, including Reveal® Q+ for Aflatoxin, which delivers precise results ranging from 2—150 parts per billion (ppb) in only 6 minutes for corn samples. Reveal Q+

Drought 2012 and aflatoxinWhat you need to know

for Aflatoxin uses a simple, low-cost ethanol-based extraction pro-cess. The test also recently received GIPSA approval, which allows it to be used for official testing in the national grain inspection system.Paired with the AccuScan® lateral flow test reader, the system pro-vides an easy method to objectively read, store and analyze results.Neogen’s original Reveal for Aflatoxin test kit screens for the toxin at 20 ppb and does not require the use of a lateral flow reader. It is validated for use across a variety of matrices, including corn, pea-nuts, popcorn, rice, wheat, milo and soy meal.Remember, unlike the fungi that produce them, mycotoxins are chemical substances that are not alive and therefore cannot be killed. There are no proven treatments to neutralize a mycotoxin while pre-serving the integrity of the contaminated commodity. Many people often ask if black lights detect aflatoxin in corn. Stud-ies have shown that this method produce unreliable results as the bright yellow-green fluorescence produced by a black light detects the presence of kojic acid, not aflatoxin. Kojic acid is a by-product of Aspergillus flavus, which can produce the acid without producing aflatoxin. The other major producer of aflatoxin, Aspergillus parasiti-cus, does not produce kojic acid, making the black light method an unreliable indicator of aflatoxin contamination.For a full list of aflatoxin test products visit www.neogen.com or talk to your sales representative. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued regulatory lev-els for aflatoxin as follows:

for level Commodities

Humans 20 ppb All foods except milkAll animal species 20 ppb All feed (exceptions below)

exceptions:

Breeding cattle, breeding swine, mature poultry

100 ppb Corn

Finishing swine (>100 lbs) 200 ppb CornFinishing beef cattle 300 ppb CornFinishing beef cattle, swine, poultry

300 ppb Cottonseed meal

Neogen launches quantitative test for ochratoxin in grainProducers have a new, precise option for ochratoxin testing in grain.

Neogen’s new Veratox® for Ochra-toxin Grain delivers precise results ranging from 2 to 25 parts per bil-lion (ppb) of ochratoxin after only two 10 minute room temperature incubations.

The new kit features a common extraction procedure for corn and wheat, simplifying the process for those who test both grains. The new procedure uses a 50% methanol extraction solution at a 1:4 ratio, and a new dilution step that combines the filtered sample extract 1:1 with 50% methanol.

Modifications to the test procedure also enhanced the test’s ro-bustness across various matrices.

Mycotoxin testing is more critical than ever, with difficult growing conditions in regions of North American and Europe increasing the probability that toxin-producing mold may flourish in wheat and corn crops. Rapid and accurate tests, such as Neogen’s comprehensive line of Veratox and Reveal® Q+ test kits, help ensure the quality of grain as it moves from the fields, through transportation, storage and processing operations.

Reveal® Q+ for Zearalenone receives federal approvalAnother of Neogen’s rapid, quantitative tests for a major my-cotoxin has been approved for use in the national grain in-spection system.

The USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Ad-ministration (GIPSA) has approved Reveal Q+ for Zearale-none, which delivers precise results ranging from 50 to 1,200 parts per billion (ppb) of zearalenone in corn, or 25 to 1,200 ppb of the mycotoxin in wheat.

Zearalenone is produced by the mold Fusarium graminearum, which also commonly produces deoxynivalenol (DON), an-other major mycotoxin. Zearalenone frequently causes estro-genic responses in animals, including failed pregnancies, low birth weights and reduced litter sizes.

Reveal Q+ test strips are read in the AccuScan® lateral flow test reader to produce quantitative results. The reader objec-tively reads, stores and analyzes results from Neogen’s line of lateral flow tests and easily integrates into food safety plans, such as HACCP.

The test offers room temperature incubation of the test strip and storage of the test kit, which eliminates the need for an incubator and refrigeration space. It uses ethanol during the extraction process, a low cost solvent that is the preferred choice among many major grain handlers.

Testing for a carcinogenic mycotoxin now is easier than ever.

Neogen recently launched Reveal® Q+ for Fumonisin, a simple-to-use lateral flow test with the quantitative precision of more demanding test methods. Reveal Q+ for Fumonisin delivers precise results ranging from 0.3 to 6 parts per million (ppm) of fumonisin after only 6 minutes. Reveal Q+ test strips are read in Neogen’s AccuScan® lateral flow test reader to deliver quantitative results.Fumonisin commonly infects rice and corn, hence the potential for fumonisin to be found in feed and foodstuffs is high. It affects various animals differently but is of special concern to horses, as it can cause leukoencephalomalcia, or liquefaction of the brain. Fumonisin also can harm humans and is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a category II-B carcinogen.Reveal Q+ for Fumonisin joins Neogen’s other rapid, quantitative Q+ tests for aflatoxin, DON and zearalenone. Neogen also is planning Q+ tests for ochratoxin and T-2/HT-2 toxins.

“Reveal Q+ for Fumonisin is the easiest test available for rapid, fully quantitative test results and uses a more environmentally friendly ethanol extraction,” said Neogen’s Pat Frasco. “This innovative technology yields more accurate and reproducible results. Coupled with Neogen’s AccuScan reader, the Reveal Q+ system objectively reads, analyzes and stores results.”Reveal Q+ for Fumonisin offers room temperature incubation of the test strip and storage of the test kit—eliminating the need for an incubator and refrigeration space. The test requires only minimal equipment to achieve precise results and a simple, low cost ethanol extraction process. Coupled with Neogen’s AccuScan reader, permanent results can be incorporated into a company’s food safety plan, such as HACCP.All of Neogen’s tests are backed by industry-leading technical and R&D support.

New fumonisin test combines ease-of-use with quantitative results

The Reveal Q+ test format is easy to use and provides unparalleled accuracy in only minutes. Results

(shown below) are read and stored on the AccuScan reader.

Corn Harvest Report as of September 1, 2012

Neogen compiles mycotoxin reports from numerous third party sources and develops

a map showing key areas impacted by mycotoxins in grains. A current sample

map like the one above is available at no cost or obligation, as well as our Mycotoxin

Handbook. Note: outbreak areas are continuously updated from various sources

and subject to variability. Please contact us to receive regular updates as close and convenient as your inbox: 800/234-5333

or foodsafety@neogen.com.

Ethanol and methanol can be things of the past with Neogen’s new water-based aflatoxin test.

Reveal® Q+ for Aflatoxin Green is a precise, quantitative lateral flow test that provides results ranging from 2 to 150 parts per billion (ppb) of aflatoxin after only 6 minutes. The new water-based extraction completely eliminates the need for ethanol or methanol, making it a more environmentally friendly test.

Test strips are read in Neogen’s AccuScan® reader to deliver quantitative results. The reader provides an easy method to ob-jectively read, store and analyze results from Neogen’s line of lateral flow tests. It provides a permanent and traceable result that easily can be incorporated into a food safety program, such as HACCP.

Like other tests in the Reveal Q+ line, Reveal Q+ for Aflatoxin Green offers room temperature incubation of the test strip and storage of the test kit.

For the latest mycotoxin maps, please contact a Neogen representative or check out our weekly mycotoxin report at www.youtube.com/neogenCorp

Neogen launches new environmentally friendly, water-based extraction aflatoxin test

Aflatoxin is considered to be the most potent, naturally-occur-ring carcinogen. The toxin is a by-product of mold growth in a wide range of commodities, including corn.

Reveal Q+ for Aflatoxin Green features unmatched accuracy and reproducibility with no hazardous waste disposal

New crop corn with confirmed mycotoxin levels as noted below:

Confirmed levels of aflatoxin

alabama: up to 20 ppbsouthern California: > 200 ppbillinois: up to 10 ppbKansas: up to 80 ppbKentucky: > 20 ppbmissouri: up to 80 ppbnebraska: up to 80 ppbnorth Carolina: > 100 ppboklahoma: up to 200 ppbsouth Carolina: > 20 ppbtennessee: > 30 ppbtexas: up to 1,000 ppb

Potential risk areas for aflatoxin

800/234-5333 (usa /Canada) E-mail: foodsafety@neogen.com • Web: www.neogen.com620 Lesher Place, Lansing, Michigan 48912 USA

Come visit us!Neogen representatives would love to chat with you at these upcoming industry tradeshows:

Sept. 30–Oct. 3 AOAC International Las Vegas, NV

Oct. 9–11 2012 Feed and Pet Food Joint Conference St. Louis, MO

Nov. 5–9 World Myco The Netherlands

Dec. 9–10 National Grain and Feed Omaha, NE

Call us for more information on our

test kits and our free mycotoxin handbook:

800/234-5333

Neogen’s ANsR™ for salmonella gets AOAC PTM approvalNeogen’s newest Salmonella detection system recently received vali-dation from the AOAC.

The designation of Performance Tested MethodSM (number 061203) for ANSR for Salmonella independently confirms the performance of the assay as equivalent to that of the FDA or USDA reference methods for Salmonella detection.

The ANSR system for rapid pathogen detection was introduced earlier this year. Salmonella is the first test available for the system, but tests for Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes and non-O157 STECs are in development.

The ANSR system uses an innovative isothermal DNA amplifica-tion process to amplify DNA to detectable levels and fluorescent molecular beacon technology for detection of the target pathogen. Combined with ANSR’s single enrichment step, the system can provide DNA-definitive results for Salmonella in approximately 10 hours from the time the sample is taken.

The AOAC approval covers the use of the ANSR system to detect Salmonella in food matrices such as raw ground beef, raw ground turkey, chicken carcass rinse, hot dogs, oat cereal and sponge or swab sample from stainless steel, plastic, ceramic tile, sealed con-crete and, rubber environmental surfaces.

ANSR’s small benchtop footprint and single reaction temperature allow it to easily fit into any laboratory’s workflow.

Neogen introduces upgraded readerThe Neogen Stat Fax 4700 reader (product 9303) is a standalone, compact microstrip reader for use with Neogen’s top-of-the-line microwell tests.

The Stat Fax 4700 has replaced the Neogen StatFax 321 reader (product 9302).

It features a touch screen interface, curve-fitting software, a built-in printer and superb optics, which allows it to meet the needs of modern laboratories.

Contact Neogen for more information.

For the latest food safety, animal safety and life science news, Neogen announcements and useful information, check out the

Neogen blog at www.neogen.com/blog

We’re also on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.