It has relocated its team from Memphis to larger facilities in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a site near the company’s US regional office.
Matt Reed, US lab manager for AB Vista, told FeedNavigator:
“Sample numbers and requests for analysis have been steadily increasing since the inception of a regional lab in the US in November 2013 and we recognized the need to increase the lab capabilities and space in response to this increase."
The in-feed tests are of interest to feed manufactures because they offer an assessment of enzyme dosage and activity, which is an important aspect of quality control, the company said.
The knowledge generated can be used to ensure feed quality, effectiveness and maintain consistent production for animals, it added.
“Being able to analyze feed and feed ingredients is key to helping feed manufacturers gain a greater nutritional picture of what they are feeding to support quality control and maximize animal performance,” said Reed.
Facility and testing details
Work in the new facility has already got underway, he continued.
“The new facility will be carrying out in-feed enzyme analysis using both a robotic system as well as QuickStix lateral-flow assay for rapid qualitative detection and the QuantiPlate micro-titre well kit for accurate quantification of enzyme activity levels."
AB Vista has invested to develop a robotic system to enhance tests involving enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, said the company. The method cuts the time needed to measure activity for Quantum Blue phytase and Econonase XT xylanase.
The robotic system was used to perform more than 16,000 analyses in the US last year, the company said.
Understanding enzyme dose and activity also can prevent a downgrade in animal performance, added Hadden Graham, services director with AB Vista. “The new facility will mean that AB Vista can provide customers with swift and accurate test results, ensuring that they, in turn, deliver a quality-assured product to their partners.”
The lab also will be able to offer near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) analyses of feed grain, which is intended to offer insight on the variability of ingredients, said Reed. “This analysis not only covers proximate analysis but also includes phytic-P,” he added.
The new facility was “purpose built” to offer a faster service and increased support for customers in North America seeking sample analysis, he said. “It can also accommodate an increase in samples as demand increases,” she added.
However, no details on the comparative size of the site or expanded capacity were available.