Commercialization of a Rapid Field Test to Measure Vitamin A in Fortified Foods

The overall objective for this proposal is to prepare the CRAFTi, a portable fluorometer, for commercial production including finalized extraction methods and kits for fortified sugar, rice, flour, and milk. This will include accessories, packaging and a marketing/distribution plan. Specific objectives for this proposal include: 1)Refined modifications to the CRAFTi fluorometer. a)Evaluate type and source of lamps, power supply and filters to insure ease of manufacture. b)Test the utility of multiple power options including solar, AC, and DC. c)Modify software or install shutter to eliminate the flaring due to stray light. d)Modify software to test correctly during instrument initialization. 2)Finalization of extraction methods for sugar, rice, flour. a)Finalize sugar extraction using selected solvents and measuring utensils. b)Refine rice extraction and test with more replicates of actual samples. c)Refine flour extraction and test with more replicates of actual samples. d)Refine corn meal extraction and test with more replicates of actual samples. 3)Development of an extraction method for milk. Spend concerted effort to extract VA from milk without the presence of fluorescent interferences. 4)Analyze at least 25 samples of each matrix obtained from countries fortifying that matrix for statistical comparison of CRAFTi results to HPLC results 5)For each matrix, to analyze the same sample ten consecutive times on the same day using the CRAFTi to determine within-day reproducibility. For each matrix, to analyze the same sample in duplicate on ten consecutive working days using the CRAFTi to determine between-day reproducibility. 6)If the power supply should be modified, recertification of instrument safety using the altered power supply. 7)Identification/development of accessories for measuring, mixing etc. 8)Identification of vendors to supply parts for the instrument modification. 9)Identification of vendors for the solvents and consumable kits. 10)Identification of packaging materials and marketing strategies. 11)Production of documentation in the form of written manuals and training videos.