AFLA - project - Acoustic Filtration Lab-free Apparatus for better aflatoxin management in Kenya

AFLA项目是一个跨行业的合作项目，结合了以下各方的专业知识：一家英国研究慈善机构，两家肯尼亚公司；一家领先的测试实验室和一家绿色能源专家，以及两家英国公司；一家拥有样品提取技术的技术研发提供商和一家生物技术商业化专家。该项目将研究利用声学分离平台从农作物中提纯黄曲霉毒素的可行性，并通过替代使用战略解决受污染废物的经济损失这一挑战。黄曲霉毒素(来自储存霉菌的毒素)对粮食安全构成重大威胁，特别是在发展中国家。检测和监测是至关重要的，但由于复杂的样品准备、高成本、难以获得和缺乏替代使用选择，黄曲霉毒素检测没有得到彻底实施，数十亿人处于危险之中。这一创新项目将开发一种新的、快速提取和浓缩黄曲霉毒素的程序。当与下游诊断集成时，提取平台可以实现低成本、便携式测试系统，用于现场黄曲霉毒素监测，提高测试的简便性和频率。再加上减少污染造成的水的经济损失的战略，由此带来的作物价值和安全的增加将带来农场管理的阶段性变化。

The AFLA project is a cross-sector collaboration combining the expertise of a UK research charity, 2 Kenyan companies; a leading testing lab & a green energy specialist, & 2 UK companies; a technology R&D provider with sample extraction tech & a biotech commercialisation specialist. The project will examine the feasibility of using an acoutic separation platform for purification of aflatoxins from crops & address the challenge of the economic loss of contaminated waste through alternative use strategies. Aflatoxins (toxins from storage mould) are a significant threat to food security, particularly in developing nations. Testing & monitoring are vital but, due to complex sample prep, high cost, inaccessibility & lack of alternative use options, aflatoxin testing is not thoroughly implement & billions of people are at risk. This innovative project will develop a novel, rapid procedure for extracting & concentrating aflatoxins. When integrated with down-stream diagnostics, the extraction platform could enable a low-cost, portable test system for on-site aflatoxin monitoring, increasing ease & frequency of testing. Together with strategies for mitigating economic loss of wate from contamination, the resultant increase in crop value & safety will bring about a step-change in on-farm management.