Abstract: A test device, system and method, the device composed of an elongated, toothbrush-shaped, transparent, plastic housing and a lateral-flow test strip for the detection of an analyte, such as a beta-lactam in milk, in the housing, the housing having an expansion cavity to receive expanded, liquid-contacted, absorbing material in the test strip, and to control lateral flow rate and times in the test strip.

Abstract: A test device for detecting the presence of a residue analyte in a sample includes a support strip and a sample-absorbing matrix attached to the support strip. The sample-absorbing matrix has a material for absorbing an amount of the sample. The test device also includes a mobile-phase support for holding a mobile-phase composition. The mobile-phase support is attached to the support strip and in contact with the sample-absorbing matrix. A mobile-phase composition is disposed on the mobile-phase support and has a receptor for binding with the analyte. The mobile-phase composition can be carried in the sample. A stationary-phase membrane is attached to the support strip and has a first membrane end in contact with the mobile-phase composition and a second membrane end. The membrane allows lateral capillary flow of the sample from the first membrane end to the second membrane end.

Abstract: A test device, system and method, the device composed of an elongated, toothbrush-shaped, transparent, plastic housing and a lateral-flow test strip for the detection of an analyte, such as a beta-lactam in milk, in the housing, the housing having an expansion cavity to receive expanded, liquid-contacted, absorbing material in the test strip, and to control lateral flow rate and times in the test strip.

Abstract: A safe, disposable test kit apparatus for the detection of pathogens in a test sample, such as coliform bacteria and E. coli. The apparatus comprises a transparent plastic bag divided into a sample compartment to receive a test sample such as water and a media compartment having a powdered growth medium with an indicator for the pathogens. The test kit apparatus includes a sanitizer compound or composition in a separate compartment to be introduced into the sample and media compartment after incubation and reading of the test results to provide for the total deactivation of the pathogen grown on the media after incubation thereby permitting the safe disposal of the plastic bag with the ingredients therein.

Abstract: A high temperature, short time microwave heating system 10 for heat-sensitive liquid material to inactivate or reduce pathogenic agents or organisms, such as viral contaminants. The system 10 includes a disposable cartridge 26 consisting of a preheater 32, a microwave heating coil 56 and cooler 58 with the heating coil 56 adapted to be easily inserted in and removed from the microwave heating field.

Abstract: An automatic test apparatus for use in a test method to determine antimicrobial drugs. The test apparatus comprises a first aluminum, electrically heatable block with holes for the insertion of test containers and a separate, second cooling aluminum block adapted to be placed periodically in contact with the heated aluminum block to cool rapidly the heated block. The test apparatus includes timed signals existing therein to alert the test user. The test apparatus is adapted to provide for the timed sequential solid heating and cooling of one or more test containers containing a test sample.

Abstract: A high temperature, short time microwave heating system 10 for heat-sensitive liquid material to inactivate or reduce pathogenic agents or organisms, such as viral contaminants. The system 10 includes a disposable cartridge 26 consisting of a preheater 32, a microwave heating coil 56 and cooler 58 with the heating coil 56 adapted to be easily inserted in and removed from the microwave heating field.

Abstract: A test kit and a rapid and sensitive method are provided for the multiple detection of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. The test method employs an insect brain material that hydrolyzes a 6-substituted D luciferin ester, preferably a 6-substituted acetyl D luciferin ester, to produce D luciferin. Hydrolysis is inhibited by the pesticides in a test sample. Luciferase and adenosine triphosphate react with the D luciferin to produce oxyluciferin and emitted bioluminescence. The brain material is initially incubated with a test sample followed by the addition of the ester, luciferase and adenosine triphosphate. The kit contains the brain material, the ester and optionally luciferase and adenosine triphosphate, and may also contain means for incubating, and means for measuring emitted bioluminescence, and a control standard.

Abstract: A method of preparing a 6-substituted D-luciferin ester suitable for use in the determination of pesticides by a bioluminescence method. The 6-substituted D-luciferin esters, such as 6-D-luciferin acetate, are prepared in a liquid solvent containing N-acetyl imidazole with D-luciferin and recovering as the reaction product 6-D-luciferin acetate.

Abstract: A test kit and method for the detection of antimicrobial drugs at low concentrations in a sample in a test container, such as milk, which includes a Bacillus stearothermophilus (BST) tablet and a medium tablet with nutrients to stress the BST and, optionally, a pH indicator. The method comprises preheating a test sample to destroy natural inhibitors, cooling the sample, adding a BST tablet, rapidly heating to effect synchronization of BST germination, adding a medium tablet, incubating and detecting the presence or absence of the antimicrobial drug. The test apparatus includes optionally a test apparatus for the controlled, sequenced heating and cooling of the test sample.

Abstract: A method for the rapid and sensitive determination of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides is disclosed. The method employs an insect brain preparation having a mixture of receptors or enzymes with sites that interact with the organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. The pesticides alter or reduce brain activities of the insect brain preparation which are inversely correlated with pesticide concentration in a test sample. The activity is measured by employing substrates which upon exposure to the insect brain preparation are structurally altered and a light emission reaction is observed. The substrates used are 6-substituted D-Luciferin esters wherein the D-Luciferin ester in the presence of the insect brain preparation is inhibited during hydrolysis while in the presence of the pesticide to be determined.

Abstract: A biochemical system in the determination of pesticides which is able to detect and measure the presence of parts per billion levels of different pesticides particularly in foodstuffs. The method employs insect tissues that contain specific binders or enzymes sensitive to various groups of pesticides. The sample or sample extract containing pesticides, radiolabeled pesticides and/or radiolabeled pesticide analogs and/or radiolabeled substrates is exposed to insect tissues containing receptors or enzymes. The pesticide competes with the radioactive tracers for the binders or the enzymes in the insect tissues. Residual enzyme activity or bound pesticides are measured. The extent of binding or enzyme activity may be inversely proportional, under standardized conditions, to the amount of pesticide in the sample.

Abstract: A high temperature, short time heating system and method for the pasteurization and/or sterilization of heat-sensitive material to destroy substantially selected pathogenic microorganisms without substantially affecting other desirable properties of the material, such as proteinaceous matter, which method comprises: subjecting the material to microwave energy to heat rapidly the material for a short time period to a pasteurizing or sterilization temperature for a short holding time period; rapidly cooling the heated material; and recovering an aseptic biological fluid.

Abstract: A high temperature, short time heating system and method for the pasteurization and/or sterilization of heat sensitive biological fluids, which method comprises: adding a dielectric enhancing additive to the biological fluid; subjecting the biological fluid to microwave energy to heat rapidly the biological fluid for a short time period to a pasteurizing or sterilization temperature; cooling the biological fluid; optionally removing the dielectric enhancing additive; and recovering an aseptic biological fluid.

Abstract: A sanitary control back pressure diaphragm valve employed in a sanitary control system wherein the sanitary valve controls the pressure applied to a fluid in a sanitary contained system, which valve comprises: a valve body having an upper and lower valve member defining a generally conical fluid passageway and a valve seat, the members adapted to move between an open position and a closed position; a diaphragm support between the upper and lower members and a resilient diaphragm on the members on the diaphragm support to provide a seal between the upper and lower members and to provide for relative movement of said valve members between the open and closed valve position, the upper and lower valve members defining a generally conical valve passageway between the valve members, and the valve including a pressurized air inlet to provide controlled air pressure of one member; a sanitary fluid inlet extending in a straight line at an angle into the fluid passageway and a sanitary fluid outlet for the discharge of

Abstract: A rapid method for the detection of beta-lactamase in body fluids which method comprises contacting a sample of a body fluid with charcoal, removing the charcoal and recovering an essentially charcoal free supernatant, adding a labeled beta-lactam compound such as C.sup.14 penicillin to the supernatant for a defined period of time, adding a antibiotic sensitive microorganism, incubating and thereafter removing the microorganism cells from the incubation broth, measuring the amount of C.sup.14 bound-labeled penicillin and comparing the measured amount with a controlled sample or standard data or graph to determine the amount of any beta-lactamase in the body fluid sample.

Abstract: An integral, sanitary, plastic molded milk sampling apparatus, which apparatus comprises an elongated handle, a sampling vial and hinged cap to seal the sampling vial and a handle break-away means secured at the one end of the handle and at the other end to the cap or vial, so as to permit the apparatus to be used to obtain a sample of milk and thereafter, the handle broken away so as to permit the use of the sealing cap to seal the vial containing the milk sample.

Abstract: In a method of preparing the enzyme, urease, from jack beans, wherein the jack beans are reduced to a fine particle size and the fine particles so reduced constitute urease, the fine jack-bean particles thereafter irradiated for a period of time, the irradiated jack beans then recovered and employed as a source of urease enzyme, the improvement which comprises: irradiating the whole jack beans prior to any size reduction of the seeds of the jack beans, to provide a urease derived from the white seeds of the irradiated whole jack beans having an improved activity level.