- The growth of moulds in raw materials, grains and agricultural products can produce various toxins such as Aflatoxin, Deoxynivalenol (DON), Fumonisin, Ochratoxin A, T-2/HT-2 and Zearalenone.
- For food manufacturers, feed manufacturers, grain processing plants or laboratories, on-site rapid mycotoxin testing gives companies more information to evaluate raw materials before they enter production.
- R-Biopharm has developed the RIDA®QUICK – immunochromatographic lateral flow rapid mycotoxin test strip, combined with RIDA®SMART APP and RIDA®SMART BOX to support fast, convenient quantification and reduce reliance on visual result reading.
1. Why is rapid mycotoxin testing needed in food and feed?
- Mycotoxins can occur in many agricultural raw materials, especially grains and products with conditions favourable to mould growth.
- Factors such as weather, cultivation conditions, harvesting, transport and storage can all affect the risk of mycotoxin formation. Mycotoxin control should therefore not only be carried out at the final stage, but can be implemented right from incoming raw material inspection.
- A rapid mycotoxin test solution can help companies:
- Rapid screening of raw materials before warehousing or entry into production.
- Check the level of mycotoxin contamination in raw materials.
- Support quality control in the plant.
- Reduce waiting time for results in routine inspection activities.
- Help QC, QA and laboratory departments make decisions faster.
- This is why rapid test mycotoxin methods are increasingly of interest in food and feed safety control chains.
2. RIDA®QUICK – R-Biopharm's rapid mycotoxin testing solution
- RIDA®QUICK is a rapid mycotoxin test line that uses lateral flow immunochromatographic assay technology.
- According to R-Biopharm, RIDA®QUICK tests are designed for fast performance, with a simple procedure and minimal equipment requirements. Depending on the product, the incubation time of the test is approximately3–5 minutes. Quantitative results can be evaluated with RIDA®SMART APP combined with a compatible smartphone or via RIDA®SMART BOX.
- A notable point of the solution is that instead of only observing the coloured lines by eye, the system can use software and a reader device to support quantitative result evaluation, making the testing process more consistent.
- A RIDA®QUICK solution set can consist of:
Sample to be tested → Sample preparation/extraction → RIDA®QUICK test strip → RIDA®SMART BOX → RIDA®SMART APP → Quantitative result
- RIDA®SMART APP also supports storing and sharing results, and can connect to the RIDA®SMART Universe data management system.
3. RIDA®SMART BOX – result reading device for RIDA®QUICK rapid mycotoxin tests
- RIDA®SMART BOX is a device that supports result reading for quantitative RIDA®QUICK mycotoxin tests.
- The device is used together with RIDA®SMART APP, helping to control the test strip reading conditions and supporting the conversion of the test strip signal into a quantitative result in the app.
- One notable point is that R-Biopharm states RIDA®SMART APP can be used on Android devices; when used with RIDA®SMART BOX, the system allows the use of Android devices instead of relying on certain approved smartphones for direct measurement.
* Benefits of combining RIDA®QUICK with RIDA®SMART BOX
- More objective result reading than visual observation alone.
- Support for mycotoxin quantification.
- Fast testing procedure, suitable for raw material inspection.
- Compact device, suitable for deployment in the QC room or the raw material inspection area.
- Combines with the app to store and export data.
- Reduces reliance on the experience of the person reading results by eye.
- R-Biopharm states that RIDA®QUICK combined with RIDA®SMART APP/SMART BOX is designed to provide quick information on the level of mycotoxin contamination in raw materials, with minimal equipment requirements.
4. Mycotoxin parameters that can be tested with RIDA®QUICK
- An important advantage of the R-Biopharm solution is the wide range of rapid mycotoxin test options for common mycotoxin groups.
- According to R-Biopharm's current product catalogue, the RIDA®QUICK line includes the following main parameters: Aflatoxin, Deoxynivalenol (DON), Fumonisin, Ochratoxin A, T-2/HT-2 and Zearalenone.
4.1. RIDA®QUICK Aflatoxin RQS – Aflatoxin rapid test
- Aflatoxin is a mycotoxin group of particular interest in food safety and agricultural raw material control.
- R-Biopharm offers RIDA®QUICK Aflatoxin RQS and RIDA®QUICK Aflatoxin RQS ECO. Some configurations use water extraction, while RIDA®QUICK Aflatoxin RQS uses ethanol/methanol extraction depending on the application.
- RIDA®QUICK Aflatoxin RQS can be used to test Aflatoxin in maize samples, with an incubation time stated by R-Biopharm of about 3 minutes and a detection limit of about 2 µg/kg for this product.
- Applications: testing grain raw materials and suitable food samples according to the manufacturer's instructions.
4.2. RIDA®QUICK DON RQS ECO - Deoxynivalenol rapid test
- Deoxynivalenol (DON), also known as Vomitoxin, is one of the mycotoxins often of concern in grain control.
- R-Biopharm offers RIDA®QUICK DON RQS ECO, using lateral flow technology for rapid quantification of DON in suitable samples.
- According to R-Biopharm's product documentation, RIDA®QUICK DON RQS ECO has an incubation time of about 3 minutes, with the measurement range stated for the RIDA®SMART APP system being 250–50.000 µg/kg in the corresponding configuration.
- This is a notable option for DON testing programmes in grains and feed raw materials.
4.3. RIDA®QUICK Fumonisin RQS ECO – Fumonisin rapid test
- Fumonisin is a mycotoxin group often of concern in raw materials such as maize and cereal-based products.
- RIDA®QUICK Fumonisin RQS ECO is a lateral flow rapid test for the quantification of Fumonisin in suitable samples.
- According to R-Biopharm documentation, the product has an incubation time of about 5 minutes and a measurement range of 300–10.000 µg/kg when evaluated with RIDA®SMART APP according to the published configuration.
4.4. RIDA®QUICK Ochratoxin ECO – Ochratoxin A rapid test
- Ochratoxin A (OTA) is an important mycotoxin in food and raw material quality control. R-Biopharm offers RIDA®QUICK Ochratoxin ECO, part of the lateral flow rapid test group for Ochratoxin A quantification.
- R-Biopharm documentation states the product has an incubation time of about 3–5 minutes and a measurement range that depends on the sample preparation procedure/test configuration.
- RIDA®QUICK Ochratoxin ECO can be used in grain testing applications according to the manufacturer's application instructions. R-Biopharm also publishes application notes for maize and wheat samples.
4.5. RIDA®QUICK T-2/HT-2 RQS ECO – rapid test for T-2 and HT-2 toxins
- T-2 and HT-2 toxins belong to the trichothecene mycotoxin group and can be produced by fungal species of the genus Fusarium.
- R-Biopharm offers RIDA®QUICK T-2/HT-2 RQS ECO, using an immunochromatographic test strip method to quantify total T-2/HT-2 toxins in suitable sample matrices.
- The product is published by R-Biopharm for oats, wheat and maize samples, with an incubation time of about 5 minutes and a measurement range of 50–10.000 µg/kg when using the corresponding evaluation system.
4.6. RIDA®QUICK Zearalenone RQS – Zearalenone rapid test
- Zearalenone (ZEN) is another mycotoxin often of concern in grain raw material control. RIDA®QUICK Zearalenon RQS is a rapid test for the quantification of Zearalenone using ethanol/methanol extraction according to the product configuration.
- R-Biopharm states an incubation time of about 5 minutes and a measurement range of 50–1.000 µg/kg when evaluated with RIDA®SMART APP.
- The product can be applied to samples such as maize and wheat according to the manufacturer's application instructions.
5. Summary table of the RIDA®QUICK rapid mycotoxin test solution
6. RIDA®QUICK rapid mycotoxin testing procedure
- The general procedure can be implemented in the following steps:
* Step 1: Sampling and homogenisation
Food or raw material samples must be taken representatively and homogenised according to the instructions for each RIDA®QUICK product.
* Step 2: Sample extraction
- Depending on the parameter, RIDA®QUICK can use different extraction procedures such as aqueous extraction or ethanol/methanol extraction.
- R-Biopharm also offers the RIDA®QUICK Mycotoxin ECO Extractor to support sample preparation for certain applications.
* Step 3: Perform the RIDA®QUICK test
The treated sample solution is applied to the test area of the test strip and left for the specified time.
* Step 4: Read the results with RIDA®SMART BOX
The test strip is placed into RIDA®SMART BOX to support recording of the test signal.
* Step 5: Analyse with RIDA®SMART APP
Results are processed in RIDA®SMART APP, providing quantification support for compatible RIDA®QUICK tests. Data can be stored and shared through the smartphone functions.
7. Who is RIDA®QUICK suitable for?
- The RIDA®QUICK rapid mycotoxin testing solution may be of interest to many groups of companies and laboratories:
- Feed manufacturing plants: rapid testing of raw materials such as maize, wheat and cereal materials before entry into production.
- Food manufacturers: support mycotoxin risk control in incoming raw materials and in quality control programmes.
- Grain processing plants: on-site rapid mycotoxin testing for quick information about raw materials.
- QC/QA departments: can use the rapid test as a rapid screening tool in raw material control programmes.
- Laboratories: RIDA®QUICK can be used as a rapid testing method alongside other analytical methods, depending on the purpose and requirements of the lab.
8. Why should companies combine the RIDA®QUICK rapid test with RIDA®SMART BOX?
- In mycotoxin control, speed is an important factor, but results also need to be evaluated consistently.
- If only the test strip is used and read by eye, the interpretation of colour intensity may depend on the operator. When RIDA®QUICK + RIDA®SMART BOX + RIDA®SMART APP are combined, companies have a more digitised testing process, from the test strip to the quantitative result.
- This solution is particularly suitable when companies need:
Speed → Quantification → Easy implementation → Minimal equipment → Data storage capability
- R-Biopharm also describes RIDA®QUICK as a rapid testing solution that combines a simple procedure with minimal equipment requirements and can provide quantitative results after a short run time.
9. A mycotoxin rapid test is not just testing – it is a risk management tool
- For food and feed companies, the issue is not only whether "the sample is contaminated".
- More importantly, detecting the risk early enough for the company to make an appropriate decision about the raw material.
- A control programme can combine:
Incoming raw material inspection → RIDA®QUICK rapid test → Result evaluation → Grading/screening of raw materials → Confirmatory analysis when needed → QC record keeping
- This approach helps companies take a more proactive approach to mycotoxin risk management in food and feed.
10. R-Biopharm rapid mycotoxin testing solutions in Vietnam
- With a RIDA®QUICK portfolio covering many important toxin groups including Aflatoxin, DON, Fumonisin, Ochratoxin A, T-2/HT-2 and Zearalenone, R-Biopharm offers a rapid mycotoxin testing system that can meet many raw material inspection needs in food and feed.
- In particular, the combination of:
RIDA®QUICK + RIDA®SMART BOX + RIDA®SMART APP
helps build a fast, convenient mycotoxin testing process with quantification capability for compatible products.
- If a company is looking for rapid mycotoxin tests, rapid mycotoxin test kits, Aflatoxin test kits, DON tests, Fumonisin tests, Ochratoxin A tests, T-2/HT-2 tests, Zearalenone tests, or a solution for reading RIDA®QUICK results with RIDA®SMART BOX, R-Biopharm is a reference option for a mycotoxin control programme.
- Contact us for advice on choosing the RIDA®QUICK test kit that suits your sample type, the parameters to be tested and the company's QC procedure.
See the Compact Dry plate products we supply here.
PACIFICLAB SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT CO., LTD
Showroom: No. 28, Road No. 20, Him Lam Residential Area, Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Contact: Mr. Tiến 0972 598 642 or email: xuantien@pacificlab.vn