Clean-Trace™ Surface Protein (Allergen) Test Swab

The Clean-Trace® Surface Protein (Allergen) Test Swab is a color-based test for rapid allergen risk screening through the detection of protein residues on surfaces and in solutions. The method is based on a biuret/BCA reaction in which protein causes a color change, enabling visual assessment of the level of cleanliness. The test is validated against several relevant allergenic proteins, including milk, egg, gluten, soy, peanut, and almond.

The test is used in production environments to quickly identify residual protein as an indicator of a potential allergen risk. Sampling is performed by swabbing a control surface. The test is then placed in a heating block for incubation at 55 °C for 15 minutes. The result is read visually by comparing the color change in the test tube and swab to the reference scale on the label. The result is based on the most intense color change observed in the swab or solution. The result is semi-quantitative and is based on a visual color scale with multiple levels of contamination. The detection limit is approximately 3 µg of protein (BSA as a reference).

As part of an allergen control program, the test serves as a screening step prior to specific allergen analysis. By identifying clean surfaces early on, the need for more resource-intensive analyses (e.g., LFD ELISA) can be reduced, resulting in a more cost-effective control strategy.

The method generally detects proteins and does not identify specific allergens. It is therefore used as a screening tool in internal monitoring should be supplemented with specific allergen analysis when necessary.

Features

• Rapid allergen risk screening in production
• Semi-quantitative protein analysis based on the Biuret/BCA reaction
• Visual inspection without instruments
• Results after about 15 minutes
• Indicates protein as a proxy for allergen risk