MSU technology spin-out company to market portable biohazard detection

Food contamination and other biohazards present a growing public health concern, but laboratory analysis consumes precious time. The company, nanoRETE, will develop and commercialize an inexpensive test for handheld biosensors to detect a broad range of threats such as E.coli, Salmonella, anthrax and tuberculosis.

A significant leap forward in detection and diagnostic technology, it utilizes novel nanoparticles with magnetic, polymeric and electrical properties developed by Evangelyn Alocilja, MSU professor of biosystems and agricultural engineering and chief scientific officer of nanoRETE.

“Our unique preparation, extraction and detection protocol enables the entire process to be conducted in the field, without significant training,” Alocilja said. “Results are generated in about an hour from receipt of sample to final readout, quickly identifying contaminants so that proper and prompt actions can be taken.”

The mobile technology comes at only a fraction of the cost of the closest currently available competing technology, company officials said.

“Although the technology originates from research for biodefense applications, its potential reaches far beyond the initial scope,” said Fred Beyerlein, CEO of nanoRETE. “Our X-MARK platform-based technology has the ability to detect multiple pathogens or toxins at one time, in a rapid, point-of-use, cost-effective manner. Imagine the potential applications for food growers, packagers or sellers. Contaminated food or water could be quickly identified, isolated and resolved before reaching the ultimate consumer – you or me.”

nanoRETE is backed by Michigan Accelerator Fund I, a Grand Rapids, Mich., investment partnership focused on Michigan-based early stage life science and technology companies.

“Our task was to find promising technologies, identify strong management and support with investment dollars,” MAF-1 managing director Dale Grogan said. “We reviewed literally hundreds of technologies developed within MSU and determined that this particular technology best fit our investment model. We are excited about nanoRETE’s future and hope this is the first of many companies we help develop with MSU.”

“We have had great faith that Dr. Alocilja’s work in nano-scale detection would be a very successful platform on which to start a new company,” said Charles Hasemann, executive director of MSU Technologies. “MAF-1 has been a great partner in building nanoRETE. With its partnership and investment, we expect to move rapidly to a marketable product.”

Provided by Michigan State University (news : web)

Global Polyester Market to Reach Nearly 40 Million Tons

 The global polyester market is expected to achieve levels of 39.3 million tons by 2015, according to a new report available on companiesandmarkets.com. Growth in the use of polyester in Asian countries, particularly in China is predicted to drive market expansion.

Asia-Pacific represents the largest as well as fastest growing regional polyester market. A large portion of the Asia-Pacific demand for polyester originates from China. Currently, China, with a huge installed capacity base, accounts for the majority of the world polyester market.

Asia-Pacific is poised to demonstrate the fastest CAGR of more than 6.0% over the analysis period. In terms of products, filament yarn constitutes the largest as well as fastest growing polyester product segment. Filament yarn is projected to demonstrate a CAGR of more than 5.0% over the analysis period.

Polyester plants worldwide primarily rely on continuous production systems. In recent times, newer plants are being designed with advanced four-reactor construction in place of conventional five-reactor construction so as to make the plant more economically profitable. In addition, a large number of polyester manufacturers in countries such as China, Taiwan, and other Asian countries are seen integrating backwards into fiber production. Factors including increasing demand for polyester textiles in the region and producers' desire for better control over feedstock are encouraging the manufacturers to focus on backward integration.

Major players profiled in the polyester market report include AOC, Ashland Performance Chemicals, DAK Americas LLC, Diolen Industrial Fibers, Du Pont, Far Eastern Industrial, Hyosung, Invista, Kolon Industries, Kordsa Global, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, Performance Fibers, Reichhold, Reliance Industries, Teijin, Toray, Wellman, Zhejiang GuXianDao Industrial Fiber among others.

 

Brenntag achieves strategic market entry in China

 Brenntag signed a purchase agreement to acquire 100% of Zhong Yung (International) Chemical Ltd. Deal closing for the first tranche is expected in the 3rd quarter of this year. Brenntag will hold a majority stake of 51% and will acquire the remaining stake in 2016. Entering into a joint venture for five years gives Brenntag the opportunity to use the experience and know-how of Zhong Yung and its management team to establish a solid business platform for Brenntag in China.

“This transaction strengthens Brenntag’s growth strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. This acquisition is a strategic investment for Brenntag in China and also a first step through which Brenntag demonstrates full commitment to build a solid distribution network in China. We are continuing to look for further opportunities to support our growth in Asia Pacific.” says Brenntag’s COO and designated CEO Steve Holland.

Henri Néjade, President of Brenntag Asia Pacific, highlights: “It is a significant milestone in Brenntag’s Asian business development following the successful acquisition of EAC Industrial Ingredients in 2010. We are delighted to team up with Zhong Yung because it opens the opportunity for further growth in China. Zhong Yung is a major chemical distributor with about 2,000 customers, more than 100 suppliers and has an excellent infrastructure including laboratories, blending and storage capabilities.”

 

Market lighting affects nutrients

Many people reach toward the back of the fresh-produce shelf to find the freshest salad greens with the latest expiration dates. But a study led by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists may prompt consumers to instead look for packages that receive the greatest exposure to light--usually those found closest to the front.

The study was led by postharvest plant physiologist Gene Lester while at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Crop Quality and Fruit Insects Research Unit in Weslaco, Texas. ARS is USDA's chief intramural scientific research agency.

Lester and colleagues Donald Makus and Mark Hodges found that spinach leaves exposed to continuous light during storage were, overall, more nutritionally dense than leaves exposed to continuous dark. Lester now works at the ARS Food Quality Laboratory in Beltsville, Md.

For the study, the researchers exposed spinach leaves to light similar to the 24-hour artificial fluorescent light received by spinach in packages located at the front of the display case. A second group was enclosed in two-layer-thick, brown-grocery-bag paper to represent the "dark treatment."

Both experimental groups were housed in market-type, light-transmissible polymer tubs with snap-tight lids and were kept in walk-in storage chambers at 4 degrees Celsius, the same temperature at which markets currently display packaged spinach. The light reaction of photosynthesis is not temperature-dependent and can occur at 4 degrees C in the right type of light.

The researchers found that the continuous light affected the leaves' photosynthetic system-resulting in a significant increase in levels of carotenoids and vitamins C, E, K, and B9, or folate.

While the simulated retail light conditions actually helped the stored leaves gain in content of several human-healthy vitamins, some wilting occurred after three days of storage in flat-leaf spinach, but not crinkled-leaf types.

Results from this work were published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Provided by United States Department of Agriculture