Could the same trusted technology used by doctors and clinics to test for diseases be utilized to certify products for Halal? Two of Malaysia’s top research scientists working at UPM’s prestigious Halal Products Research Institute have teamed with a groundbreaking US company to do just that. The results may have global implications.
Professor Dr. Yaakob Che Man and Associate Professor Dr. Shuhaimi Mustafa have been recognized for their study of genetic sequences in porcine. Using certain sequences, Drs Yaakob and Shuhaimi developed a precise test to be used in a scientific process known as the polymerase chain reaction, or “PCR”, which can identify the smallest traces of pork in foods. PCR is accurate and precise enough to be trusted by doctors in determining the presence of disease in their patients.
At the same time as HPRI was developing a test for pork using PCR, a US company was gaining worldwide recognition for their patented PCR system known as GeneSTAT. DxNA developed a portable, rapid system which consists of a 5 kg analyzer and small test cartridges which automatically processed a sample to determine the presence of disease in humans or animals with a simple press of a button. This device is so accurate that it received emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration in the US for use in detecting the H1N1 virus. It also was validated in labs for use in detecting the deadly H5N1 virus. It is currently being validated in labs in Singapore for use in detecting dengue and other tropical diseases.
Company Vice-President Craig Mosman met with Dr. Yaakob and Dr. Shuhaimi to establish a working relationship to develop prototypes. “We were intrigued with the opportunity to work with these two distinguished scientists and with HPRI on this important project,” Mosman said. “This is a natural progression of the GeneSTAT platform to move from diseases to food safety and issues such as e-coli to use in detecting contaminants like pork in food and cosmetics.”
Test development has been completed, and DxNA has just signed an agreement to work with UPM R&D Sdn Bhd. DxNA has the right to manufacture, market and distribute this product. All of the parties are pleased with the new testing system: “I believe this is the first machine of its kind in the world. It is able to detect pork meat traces in most things such as food, cosmetics and any other material where extracting DNA is possible,” Professor Dr Yaakob Che Man said. He said the “advantage the machine had over all other systems used in today’s industry, particularly in Halal certification centres and labs, was that results could be obtained within an hour. It is also quite portable and not very complicated to use,” Yaakob added.
The technology utilises a scientific process known as the polymerase chain reaction and together with a device developed in America to diagnose illnesses such as malaria, dengue and influenza, is able to provide accurate results.
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