Perkin-Elmer launches new raw milk analysis solution

PerkinElmer, Inc, a global leading solutions provider in the life sciences, diagnostics, food and environmental testing markets, has launched its IndiScope FT-IR raw milk analysis solution. The new product is designed to help milk collection points perform fast and accurate testing to determine fair market value and help ensure a safe raw milk supply chain for consumers.

Based on PerkinElmer’s Spectrum Two FT-IR, the IndiScope solution is low maintenance and easy to use. It includes the pre-calibrated instrument with predefined methods, built-in software for easy integration with other systems and PerkinElmer consumables.

The IndiScope solution enables dairy collection stations to quickly and easily test milk’s composition for fat and protein levels, and detect adulterants such as water, maltodextrin and urea. Results arrive in less than 30 seconds, enabling up to 400 samples to be processed daily.

Chris Hughes, MD of PerkinElmer UK and Ireland, said: “UK dairies process around 1,180 million litres of milk per month, with approximately 500 million litres of milk going to UK consumers, plus even more milk-based products. It’s a huge staple of the British diet.

“Milk contaminated with harmful bacteria can cause serious illness, hospitalisation or even death, so it’s absolutely vital that suppliers provide a safe supply of milk to British families. Our IndiScope enables dairies and other parties in the milk supply chain to quickly and easily test the safety of milk-based products.”

Featuring a touch-screen interface, the system requires minimal training and helps reduce human error. The solution’s workflow meets ISO, IDF and AOAC guidance for testing repeatability and data can be saved via built-in USB ports or exported to a PC. With FT-IR optics hermetically-sealed to keep out dirt, dust and moisture, the rugged IndiScope solution’s design is field-ready. Parts are easily serviced through the instrument’s front end and the solution is economical to operate.

Customers can experience the IndiScope solution’s streamlined workflow, without having to leave their farm, bench or desk, through the launch of the PerkinElmer Virtual Reality (“VR”) Demo Center of Excellence for Food Testing. In this immersive environment customers can operate the simple IndiScope workflow to interact with the instrument, run samples and see results.

Visitors can also try out other PerkinElmer food solutions and automation technologies including the LC 300 UHPLC system with SimplicityChrom CDS software, Solus DS2 platform, Janus G3 Automated Workstation, NexION 5000 ICP-MS, and QSight Triple Quad MS, which are used for pesticide, mycotoxin, food-borne pathogen and quality testing.

Greg Sears, VP and GM of Food at PerkinElmer, said: “Global consumers are increasingly demanding higher quality, purer dairy products, while regulators around the world are working to improve the quality and safety of the milk supply chain. Having easy-to-use, affordable and powerful testing technologies that start earlier in the milk and dairy product cycle will help. We’re excited to show the benefits of this new IndiScope technology, as well as other food testing innovations, to customers and key players in the food testing ecosystem via our new virtual reality demo environment.”

The IndiScope solution belongs to PerkinElmer’s instrument, software, consumables and service line-up for dairy producers and processors and is part of PerkinElmer’s extensive food analysis portfolio spanning grain, seafood, meat, produce and cannabis testing workflows.