AlerTox Sticks Fish is an immunochromatographic rapid test for the qualitative detection of fish antigen in food, kitchens and production facilities.
AlerTox Sticks are rapid tests for allergen detection in food, drinks, and on surfaces for internal Quality Control. They are designed specifically to help manufacturers keep their items free of antigens that may cause allergic reactions. These user-friendly tests are for the detection and qualification of main food allergens without the need for lab equipment or scientific knowledge.
 
AlerTox Sticks Fish uses a combination of antibodies against tropomyosin, a major protein antigen found in striated muscle of bony fishes. The test also detects a related antigen of cartilaginous fishes (sharks and sturgeons), though with a significantly lower sensitivity. The LOD (limit of detection) of AlerTox Sticks Fish is 5 ppm of dried raw cod (Gadus morhua) protein. In other fish species, it may be detected only partially due to variability in the antigen content and level of homology with the cod antigen. Raw fish species that can be detected with the kit are: cod, scamp grouper, sea perch, pike, red grouper, seabass, mangrove snapper, pollock, zander, pangasius, carp, red snapper, turbot, anchovy and hake.
 
AlerTox Sticks Fish does NOT detect the antigens of other crustaceans such as shrimp, prawn, lobster and crab, shellfish (mollusks) and lamprey.
 
PLEASE NOTE: The sensitivity of the test is highly variable among species due to the variability of the homology to the cod antigen; the sensitivity also decreases with heated food (cooking), in fat-rich environments (e.g. in the presence of oil) and in canned foods or after the industrial processing of some species which have a peculiar structure of the muscular tissue (e.g. tuna or salmon).
 
Each AlerTox Sticks Crustacean kit includes all the basic equipment required to carry out testing:
 
10 immunochromatographic sticks individually packed in foil pouches
10 sample collection tubes (tube with yellow cap)
10 sample extraction buffer tubes, 10 mL (tube with blue cap)
10 spoons
10 pipettes (3 mL- only for testing liquid samples)
10 small pipettes
10 swabs (only for testing surfaces)
Instructions for use
 
AlerTox Sticks Fish has been validated for the following fish species:
Anchovy
Pangasius
Scamp Grouper
Carp
Pike
Sea perch
Cod
Pollock
Seabass
Hake
Red Grouper
Turbot
Mangrove Snapper
Red Snapper
Zander
 
AlerTox Sticks Fish is not recommended for the following products:
Canned tuna fish
Tinned anchovy
Tinned sardine