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Apex Bioscience, Inc.

Apex Biosciences, Inc.

Todd Talarico

Guerry Leonard Grune

Cyrus John Stacey

Christopher Thomas Privalle

A device and associated analytical method to use for the sensitive detection and accurate, rapid determination of acrylamide in food substances is presented. Also described is the use of a kit device and associated analytical method in which a user can quickly and easily ascertain the amount of acrylamide in food substances with ease and in any location, including a non-laboratory environment. Such detection device and method may be comprised of a sample collection area on which a sample of food, after being mixed in a solution, is placed for example on the substrate of a biochip that includes an enzyme that along with a co-enzyme or catalyst, facilitates the conversion of either acrylamide to acrylonitrile or the conversion of acrylamide to ammonia.

Devices and methods for the rapid, reliable detection and determination of acrylamide concentration in food substances and prevention of acrylamide formation in the same

The present invention includes a device and associated analytical method to use for the sensitive detection and accurate, rapid determination of acrylamide in food substances. The present invention also relates to the use of a kit device and associated analytical method in which a user can quickly and easily ascertain the amount of acrylamide in food substances with ease and in any location, including a non-laboratory environment. Such detection device and method may be comprised of a sample collection area on which a sample of food, after being mixed in a solution, is placed for example on the substrate of a biochip that includes an enzyme that along with a co-enzyme or form of energy or catalyst, facilitates the conversion of either acrylamide to acrylonitrile or the conversion of acrylamide to ammonia. If acrylamide is detected in the sample food substance, the resultant concentration, as determined on the calorimetric scale, provides the consumer of the food substance an opportunity to reject or discard the substance prior to digestion, thus promoting good health and avoiding potential ingestion of relatively high concentrations of carcinogenic potent acrylamides. Another variation of the detection device above may utilize pH balance meter and system similar to the calorimetric system utilized above, but which allows a numeric or digital reading of the concentration of acrylamides present in the sample of food. Another variation of the detection device may utilize infrared (IR) detection using an IR sensor to measure a sample and quantify the concentration of acrylonitrile within the sample by an absorption peak of the carbon-nitrogen (C&#x2261;N) triple bond in acrylonitrile in an IR spectra at 2250 cmwavelength.

The present invention employs a dissolved activated polyethylene glycol (aPEG) or related molecule that has been passed through a filtration means for the substantial reduction of bioburden or endotoxin levels in the aPEG solution. The resulting filtered aPEG solution can be used for the preparation of a PEGylated hemoglobin solution containing substantially reduced levels of bioburden or endotoxin.

Methods for purification of an activated PEG solution and for the synthesis of a modified hemoglobin solution

The present invention employs a filtration step during the hemoglobin purification process that substantially decreases viral contamination of a hemoglobin solution. The filtration means can be used to separate hemoglobin and several endogenous antioxidant enzymes from red blood cell stroma and potential adventitious agents. The purified hemoglobin/antioxidant composition is then subjected to a chemical modification process. The resulting modified hemoglobin/antioxidant composition is then fractionated to remove unmodified hemoglobin species and residual reactants, formulated in electrolytes and rendered sterile. The resulting modified hemoglobin product is substantially free of viral contamination and contains at least one endogenous antioxidant enzyme that retains antioxidant activity.

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Cary, NC, United States of America

Todd Talarico