The Australian developed WheatRite® will be sold and marketed throughout the United States and Canada by Seedburo Equipment Company of Chicago, IL. This comes following the signing of a distribution agreement with C-Qentec Diagnostics Pty Ltd of Sydney, Australia.

 The WheatRite® technology was originally licensed by C-Qentec from the Value Added Wheat Co-operative Research Centre (VAWCRC). In a collaborative arrangement with Proteome Systems Ltd, the test has been developed into a rapid, flow-through format that allows the test to be completed in 3 minutes.

 The WheatRite® test is based on an immunoassay platform and provides farmers, grain handlers and millers with a rapid, “on the spot” test to assess the levels of alpha-amylase present in cereal grains with results that compare to traditional Falling Numberâ2 results. This achieves rapid and accurate segregation of weather damaged cereal grains and provides an important quality measure for buyers and processors.

 Bruce Howie, Managing Director of C-Qentec states, “WheatRite® is a low-cost test which can be performed by non-laboratory personnel in the field. It is a semi-quantitative test providing a rapid screening to accurately distinguish sound grain from damaged grain. The testing of the quality of grain goes right back to the harvesting and delivery point. Assessment of quality characteristics at this early stage will contribute to quality assurance throughout the handling and production phases, all the way to the finished product.”

Seedburo will exclusively distribute WheatRite® in the United States and Canada. President of Seedburo, Tom Runyon said, “A small amount of damaged grain can badly affect the baking qualities of a shipment of grain. WheatRite® offers a solution that doesn’t rely on expensive, laboratory-based equipment. Consumers’ worldwide demand food products to carry a high level of quality assurance which means every link in the supply chain is crucial. WheatRite® will provide a valuable tool for growers, grain handlers, flour millers and processors, and bakers.”

WheatRite is also available in a fully quantitative test using the ReadRite immunoassay reader. For further details and information about WheatRite immunoassay testing, please contact Seedburo Equipment Company.

  1 WheatRite is a registered trade-mark of the Value Added Wheat Cooperative Research Centre Limited  

  2  Falling Number 2 is a registered trade-mark of Perten Instruments