An In-Line Test for the Colorimetric Determination of Somatic Cell Count

In Phase I, PortaScience successfully built an automated prototype unit for determining the somatic cell count of dairy milk samples using a liquid colorimetric assay. The prototype unit can perform the following functions: sip milk samples, add buffer/dye solutions, mix all solutions and generate a voltage reading at a fixed timed interval yielding quantitative values for the somatic cell count. The agreement with a FOSS reference instrument was r = 0.93 and the precision of the system was less than 15% CV at three SCC levels. In continuing the project, we plan to develop and validate a self-contained In-line Modular unit. The objectives of Phase II are as follows: Specific Aims - Chemistry: I. Scale-up the dye-substrate from a 10 gram to a 50 gram batch size in order to minimize reagent cost. II. Develop a cleaning solution for the flow cell. III. Evaluate several anti-oxidants in the dye-substrate solution to improve stability beyond the 12 month shelf-life. IV. Evaluate a new water-soluble dye-substrate. Specific Aims - Engineering: I. Optics: Change from fiber optics to an integrated surface mount to obtain optimal sensitivity. II. Flow Mechanics: Optimize the pump, valves, flow cell, and mixing procedures. III. Electronics: Integrate the electronics and software into a package suitable for a field instrument. PortaScience has filed a provisional patent protecting the technology and is now in discussion with several dairy equipment manufacturers. We believe potential annual market is forty million dollars.