Charm Sciences, Inc.

Charm Sciences' ROSA (Rapid One Step Assay) aflatoxin test has received approval for screening 16 commodities from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). This sets a new industry benchmark; according to the company, no other test method has received approval for such a comprehensive list of commodities.An official Certificate of Conformance from USDA/GIPSA (Certificate No. FGIS 2005-101.1 Addendum) declares that the test kit "met the accuracy specifications for the listed commodities spiked at 5 and 20 ppb. The 3 ppb limit of detection was also met for all listed commodities.” The commodities referenced are:

• Corn
• Corn Flour
• Corn Germ Meal
• Corn Gluten Meal
• Corn Meal
• Corn Screenings
• Corn Soy Blend
• Cracked Corn
• Distillers Dried Grains
• Flaking Corn Grits
• Milled Rice
• Popcorn
• Rough Rice
• Sorghum
• Soybeans
• Wheat

Charm’s ROSA (Rapid One Step Assay) aflatoxin test procedure includes a sample extraction and 10 minute incubation. A test strip is then inserted into a digital ROSA-M strip reader. Quantitative results are displayed and recorded on the reader (with automatic printing and download options). A minimal amount of equipment is required.Charm also offers aflatoxin test kits for:Nuts

• Peanuts
• Almonds
• Hazelnuts
• Cashews
• Pine Nuts

Spices

• Paprika
• Curry
• Cayenne Pepper
• Chili Powder
• Red Pepper

Methods to detect the presence of other mycotoxins such as ochratoxin, zearalenone and vomitoxin (DON) are in development.