In response to a marked increase in customer requests for in-feed analysis, AB Vista announced that its U.S. laboratory team has relocated to larger facilities in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., close to the AB Vista U.S. regional office.

AB Vista services director Dr. Hadden Graham explained that in-feed enzyme analysis is important for feed manufacturers because “being able to test for correct enzyme dosage and activity is an important part of quality control and assurance procedures. This maximizes the effectiveness and quality of feed and ensures consistent animal production. Failure to achieve this can result in significant reductions in animal performance and subsequent financial loss.

“The new facility will mean that AB Vista can provide customers with swift and accurate test results, ensuring that they, in turn, deliver a quality-assured product to their partners," Graham said.

Graham said the ongoing investment in AB Vista’s lab capabilities and service delivery will mean the company can continue to support its customers in ensuring that feeds contain the desired enzyme activity.

This investment includes a robotic system developed to exploit AB Vista’s enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, reducing turnaround time in measuring activity for Quantum Blue phytase and Econase XT xylanase.

“With over 16,000 analyses in the U.S. alone last year, this robotic system is freeing up analysts’ time as well as increasing sample throughput of the lab and improving assay accuracy and precision,” Graham added.

The robotic system has been rolled out across AB Vista’s labs, while additional methodologies include the QuickStix lateral-flow assay for rapid qualitative detection and the QuantiPlate micro-titre well kit for accurate quantification of enzyme activity levels.

Matt Reed, AB Vista U.S. laboratory manager, explained that the U.S. laboratory joins a network of scientific facilities. “AB Vista’s laboratories today process an average of approximately 200 samples per day. The labs recently marked the analysis of their 100,000th sample since opening in April 2011," he said. "Our facilities have a commitment to education, with hands-on customer and supplier training in all regions.

“The new U.S. facility will enable AB Vista to provide an even more efficient service to North American customers wanting samples analyzed and ensures we have the capacity to provide high-quality customer support as sales grow,” Reed added.

AB Vista is an animal nutrition technology company offering pioneering products and technical services to the global animal feed industry. Since its establishment in 2004, AB Vista has grown to be a top-three player in feed enzymes and is also one of the largest suppliers of natural betaine to the global animal nutrition industry. The company invests heavily in research and development and has a growing portfolio of products and services spanning the poultry, swine, ruminant and aquaculture sectors. AB Vista is headquartered in the U.K., with regional offices located in the U.S., Brazil, Singapore, Spain, India, China, Germany and Finland.

AB Vista is part of AB Agri, the agricultural division of Associated British Foods, one of the world’s largest food and retail companies.