Difference between immunoasays & molecular biological assays:
Immunochemical assays
We are creating new antibody-based tests for detection of plant and bacterial toxins in foods. Our tests are more specific than existing tests, so that scientists and first-responders can obtain more information using fewer tests.
Molecular Biological assays
Foods contaminated with crude preparations of protein toxins will also contain genetic material associated with the source. We are creating new tests for sensitive detection in foods of DNA associated with pathogenic bacteria (Clostridium botulinum) and poisonous plants (Ricinus communis).
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
The ADI of a chemical has been defined as the daily intake of a chemical that, during a lifetime, appears to be without appreciable risk on the basis of all the facts known at that time.
The concept of the ADI is based on the assumption that a threshold exists below which a chemical does not cause toxicity.
They are usually based on experiments on the toxicity of the chemical concerned in laboratory animals, from which a lowest observable effect level (LOAEL) or no observed adverse effect level are obtained. In general, the lowest dose value is used to determine a ‘safe’ level in humans.
Acute Reference Dose (ARfD)
is the amount of a chemical that can be consumed in a single meal without causing harm. Tests conducted on laboratory animals establish an amount of pesticide (in terms of weight of pesticide per kg body weight of the animal) which will have no observable adverse effect when consumed as a single dose (the no-observed-effect-level, or NOEL).
Good Agricultural Practice (GAP)
GAP represents the conditions of pesticide use (amount, method, time of application etc) specified on pesticide labels.
Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)
An MRL is the maximum concentration of pesticide residue (expressed in mg/kg of produce) legally permitted in or on food commodities or animal feeds. MRLs are established for specific pesticide/crop combinations.
