New enzyme makes melamine detection easier and cheaper

A simple and cheap method of testing for melamine contamination of milk and other foods has been developed thanks to the discovery of a new enzyme
A team at the University of Minnesota’s BioTechnology Institute (BTI) announced the finding which they said would make detection of melamine in milk, powdered milk, cream, ice-cream and chocolate drinks easier and less expensive. The group also has plans to adapt the system to uncover the presence of melamine in seafood and meat.
BTI members Larry Wackett and Michael Sadowsky said the breakthrough came after the fermentation of the melamine deaminase enzyme. The pair said the enzime works by breaking one of the C-N bonds in melamine to release ammonia - which can then be detected by a simple test that turns the liquid blue. The discovery came as a junior member of the team was carrying out tests on biodegradation of s-triazine herbicides.
The new enzyme is now being used in biotech company Bioo Scientific’s MaxDiscovery Melamine Testing kit.

Fuente: Food Navigator USA
http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Science-Nutrition/New-enzyme-makes-melamine-detection-easier-and-cheaper-say-researchers/?c=wjxGrAWKL%2FyVonewjAJWGg%3D%3D&utm_source=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BWeekly
Aporte: Leidy Beltrán