As several quality control systems require regular control of analytical instruments the LactoSens^®R Reader kit box includes a calibration device that can be used to verify regularly (e.g. annually) whether the LactoSens^® Reader is working within its specifications. Follow our new video to easily run the QC of the LactoSens^®R Reader within a few minutes. For further information about the calibration device see LactoSens^® Software manual or Calibration Device manual.

We are pleased to launch a series of new LactoSens^®R sample preparation videos.

LactoSens^®R is applicable for a vast range of milk products, from milk to mozzarella. Due to the great variety of available milk products it is not possible to validate every single product. During the AOAC and NordVal validation process dairy products have been grouped according to their sample preparation process and products with similar physical characteristics can be considered as covered by the certification.

All sample preparation videos are available here!

In spring 2020 MUVA proficiency testing number EPQS 831 “Detection of residual lactose in lactose reduced and lactose free milk” was conducted with 42 labs reporting valid results. 2 UHT milk samples, one with a lactose concentration of approx. 0.2 g/100g and a lactose-free < 0.1 g/100g sample, have been analysed by enzymatic methods (via galactose or glucose), ion-chromatography, HPLC, biosensors and infra-red. This year already 8 labs participated with LactoSens^® 0.02% or LactoSens^®R biosensor assay kits developed by DirectSens.

• All labs participating with LactoSens^® could meet the proficiency test criteria with excellent z-scores.
• Results for LactoSens^® are very comparable with the (unofficial*) reference method HPAEC-PAD (ion-chromatography with amperometric detection) for low lactose detection in dairy products.
• LactoSens^® shows a very low standard deviation both within each lab (≤ 3%) and between all the labs using LactoSens^® in the study (≤ 7%).
• The proficiency test demonstrates that LactoSens^® is an accurate and precise method to be used for low-concentration lactose determination in milk.

*Currently, there is no official / ISO reference method for low-lactose/lactose free products. AOAC and IDF are jointly working on a project to make a new designated reference method. The HPAEC-PAD method has de facto replaced the old HPLC method (ISO22662:2007).

For further details please contact lactosens@directsens.com!

About MUVA Kempten GmbH

The proficiency testing program for quality assurance of MUVA KEMPTEN GMBH is one of the worldwide most important schemes for chemical, microbiology and sensory analysis of food. Since 25 years, MUVA KEMPTEN GMBH has experience in performing proficiency testing studies and in the applied statistics. MUVA KEMPTEN GMBH cooperates with a number of national and international working groups and is – since a long time – close with quality managemente and analytical quality assurance.

DirectSens is participating with its LactoSens^®R and LactoSens^® 0.02% in the proficiency testing of DRRR GmbH. The chemical-physical proficiency testing number 2010107 UHT-milk (lactose free) on detection of residual lactose in lactose-reduced and lactose-free UHT milk starts on April 28^th. Proficiency testing systems are an efficient instrument for internal and external quality assurance. Take the chance to demonstrate the analytical performance of your own laboratory using LactoSens^®.

Register now!

About DRRR Deutsches Referenzbüro für Ringversuche und Referenzmaterialien GmbH

The German reference office for food proficiency testing and reference materials (DRRR) is a service company for external quality assurance of laboratories of the food industry, the packaging / consumer goods / plastic industry and building industry.

DRRR is an inspection body, reference material producer and proficiency testing (PT) provider. For a wide selection of proficiency testing schemes the DRRR is accredited acc. DIN EN ISO/IEC 17043. DRRR offers many certified reference materials as well as advise on quality matters and quality assurance training in the laboratory and the production.

DirectSens is participating with its LactoSens^®R and LactoSens^® 0.02% in the proficiency testing of MUVA Kempten GmbH. The study number EPQS 831 detection of residual lactose in lactose reduced and lactose free milk starts on March 16^th. Proficiency testing systems are an efficient instrument for internal and external quality assurance. Take the chance to demonstrate the analytical performance of your own laboratory using LactoSens^®.

Register now!

Read full MUVA proficiency testing program 2020

About MUVA Kempten GmbH

The proficiency testing program for quality assurance of MUVA KEMPTEN GMBH is one of the worldwide most important schemes for chemical, microbiology and sensory analysis of food. Since 25 years, MUVA KEMPTEN GMBH has experience in performing proficiency testing studies and in the applied statistics. MUVA KEMPTEN GMBH cooperates with a number of national and international working groups and is – since a long time – close with quality management and analytical quality assurance.

AOAC INTERNATIONAL food safety experts have adopted LactoSens^®R for measuring low levels of lactose in dairy products as a First Action Official Method of Analysis^SM during a meeting of the AOAC INTERNATIONAL Expert Review Panel for Low-Lactose Methods on January 15, 2020.

Measuring trace levels of lactose accurately is technically challenging and can increase costs for dairy producers because time-consuming testing processes effectively shorten shelf life. LactoSens^® test kits, were developed as a fast and easy alternative to the standard reference method using high-performance anion exchange chromatography, a technically complex technique which is mainly performed at external accredited laboratories.

LactoSens^®R Biosensor Assay Kit was evaluated against AOAC INTERNATIONAL’s Standard Method Performance Requirement (SMPR^®) 2018.009, which details the requirements for testing mono- and di-saccharides in milk, milk products, and products containing dairy ingredients that are low-lactose or lactose-free. The full study “Determination of Lactose in Low-Lactose and Lactose-Free Milk, Milk Products, and Products Containing Dairy Ingredients – LactoSens^®R Amperometry Method” will be published in Journal of AOAC.

Read full AOAC press release

More about LactoSens®R…

Foodnavigator.com published an article about advantages of our new LactoSens®R

Chr. Hansen says its new lactose biosensor test kit can determine lactose concentration in all dairy products, including those with added flavours, vitamins, fruits and sugars.

Read full article here

We are pleased to announce that our new LactoSens^®R  user-friendly lactose assay kit for all lactose-free and low lactose milk products is available for purchase from our distribution partners Chr. Hansen A/S and Optiferm GmbH.

LactoSens^®R Reader is an improved device for stable and robust results providing more user friendliness e.g. through an included QR code scanner, automatic sample detection and the possibility for internal instrument QC with the calibration device.

For further details and document downloads visit www.lactosens.com

The recently accepted NordVal International validation assures that LactoSens®R lactose biosensor assay kit performs with high accuracy and specificity down to detection limit of 0.008% lactose. All characteristics are found to be in compliance with claims, demonstrating equal performance with the reference method HPLC (ISO 2262 IDF 198).

External validation studies have been performed to prove that the biosensor assay kit LactoSens®R can be used to determine residual lactose in milk samples with a fat content of up to 36% as well as in fermented milk products like yoghurt, cream, sour cream and curd. Furthermore, it was approved that the sensor is also applicable to lactose-free flavored yogurts and milk drinks (e.g. coffee, cacao, fruits). In addition, it was verified that the sensors are stable for at least 3 days storage at 30⁰C.

The external certification by NordVal makes LactoSens®R the perfect choice for product release, process optimization and product development. More about LactoSens®R…
Download certificate here.

The international dairy technology platform ‘Dairy Technologist’ describes our LactoSens biosensor as a ‘Rapid Computerized Lactose Content Determination Method’ that can be adopted for both industrial and artisanal use. Considering the importance of dairy products as a means to fight world hunger and malnutrition, LactoSens can make a significant contribution in developing countries with a high prevalence of lactose intolerance.

Read full blog here.