Find out whether the HABs in your lake, pond or river could be harmful for dogs or humans.
This is an advanced field kit similar to the tests used by regulatory agencies. Use this test during HAB advisories or if you notice signs of an algal bloom. Results in approximately 30 minutes.
Detailed information from the manufacturer:
The Abraxis Gold Standard Microcystins Strip Test for Recreational Water is a rapid immunochromatographic test, designed solely for the use in the qualitative screening of Microcystins and Nodularins in recreational water (freshwater samples only). A rapid cell lysis step (QuikLyse) performed prior to testing is required to measure total Microcystins (dissolved, or free, plus cell-bound). The Abraxis Microcystins Strip Test provides only preliminary qualitative test results. If necessary, positive samples can be confirmed by ELISA, HPLC or other conventional methods.
The test is based on the recognition of Microcystins, Nodularins, and their congeners by specific antibodies. The toxin conjugate competes for antibody binding sites with Microcystins/Nodularins that may be present in the water sample. The test device consists of a vial containing specific antibodies for Microcystins and Nodularins labeled with a gold colloid and a membrane strip to which a conjugate of the toxin is attached. A control line, produced by a different antibody/antigen reaction, is also present on the membrane strip. The control line is not influenced by the presence or absence of Microcystins in the water sample and, therefore, should be present in all reactions.
In the absence of toxin in the water sample, the colloidal gold labeled antibody complex moves with the water sample by capillary action to contact the immobilized Microcystins conjugate. An antibody-antigen reaction occurs forming a visible line in the ‘test’ area. The formation of two visible lines of similar intensity indicates a negative test result, meaning the test did not detect the toxin at or above the cut-off point established for the toxin. If Microcystins are present in the water sample, they compete with the immobilized toxin conjugate in the test area for the antibody binding sites on the colloidal gold labeled complex. If a sufficient amount of toxin is present, it will fill all of the available binding sites, thus preventing attachment of the labeled antibody to the toxin conjugate, therefore preventing the development of a colored line.
If a colored line is not visible in the test line region, or if the test line is lighter than the control line, Microcystins are present at a level > 2.5 ppb. Semi-quantitative results in the range of 0-10 ppb can be obtained by comparing the sample test strip appearance to the appearance of test strips from solutions of known Microcystins concentrations (control solutions). Microcystins controls are available through Eurofins Abraxis (PN 422011).
Find out whether the HABs in your lake, pond or river could be harmful for dogs or humans.
This is an advanced field kit similar to the tests used by regulatory agencies. Use this test during HAB advisories or if you notice signs of an algal bloom. Results in approximately 30 minutes.
Detailed information from the manufacturer:
The Abraxis Gold Standard Microcystins Strip Test for Recreational Water is a rapid immunochromatographic test, designed solely for the use in the qualitative screening of Microcystins and Nodularins in recreational water (freshwater samples only). A rapid cell lysis step (QuikLyse) performed prior to testing is required to measure total Microcystins (dissolved, or free, plus cell-bound). The Abraxis Microcystins Strip Test provides only preliminary qualitative test results. If necessary, positive samples can be confirmed by ELISA, HPLC or other conventional methods.
The test is based on the recognition of Microcystins, Nodularins, and their congeners by specific antibodies. The toxin conjugate competes for antibody binding sites with Microcystins/Nodularins that may be present in the water sample. The test device consists of a vial containing specific antibodies for Microcystins and Nodularins labeled with a gold colloid and a membrane strip to which a conjugate of the toxin is attached. A control line, produced by a different antibody/antigen reaction, is also present on the membrane strip. The control line is not influenced by the presence or absence of Microcystins in the water sample and, therefore, should be present in all reactions.
In the absence of toxin in the water sample, the colloidal gold labeled antibody complex moves with the water sample by capillary action to contact the immobilized Microcystins conjugate. An antibody-antigen reaction occurs forming a visible line in the ‘test’ area. The formation of two visible lines of similar intensity indicates a negative test result, meaning the test did not detect the toxin at or above the cut-off point established for the toxin. If Microcystins are present in the water sample, they compete with the immobilized toxin conjugate in the test area for the antibody binding sites on the colloidal gold labeled complex. If a sufficient amount of toxin is present, it will fill all of the available binding sites, thus preventing attachment of the labeled antibody to the toxin conjugate, therefore preventing the development of a colored line.
If a colored line is not visible in the test line region, or if the test line is lighter than the control line, Microcystins are present at a level > 2.5 ppb. Semi-quantitative results in the range of 0-10 ppb can be obtained by comparing the sample test strip appearance to the appearance of test strips from solutions of known Microcystins concentrations (control solutions). Microcystins controls are available through Eurofins Abraxis (PN 422011).
