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Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces Automated Analysis for Asparagine Content in Food

Quick and Accurate Measurement Utilizes Discrete Technology of Thermo Scientific

Arena Analyzers

CHICAGO (March 9, 2009) – Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today introduced an easy and rapid automated method to analyze asparagine, a major amino acid commonly found in food. Asparagine reacts with reducing sugars like glucose at temperatures above 160°C to produce acrylamide, a suspected carcinogen. Formation of acrylamide is a concern in the processing of fried, baked or roasted processed foods such as potato chips or french fries, baked cereals and roasted coffee beans. The new solution will be launched at the Thermo Scientific booth 1432 at PITTCON 2009, being held March 8-12 in Chicago.

The simple and effective automated photometric method employs the Thermo Scientific Arena analyzer for the determination of asparagine levels in both raw and processed foods. In addition to an easy asparagine test, Arena system applications are available for measuring reducing sugars that are an integral part of acrylamide formation. All Arena products – the Arena 20, 20XT, 30 and 60 – utilize disposable multicell cuvette technology to provide true discrete analysis, virtually eliminating carryover. To reduce determination time, several analytes can be measured simultaneously from a single sample, and several blanking possibilities are available to eliminate interfering substances like the sample matrix effects. Arena analyzers are designed for true walk-away analysis and minimum reagent consumption, thus lowering operating costs and minimizing waste.

The Arena application menu covers a wide selection of optimized solutions for industrial purposes, including wine, juice, milk, honey, special food, fertilizers and detergent tests. Bar-coded Arena system reagents are available for fructose, glucose, sucrose, ethanol, lactic and malic acid determinations. These ready-to-use system kits eliminate time-consuming reagent preparation, allowing full automation and cost savings. Thermo Fisher Scientific continually develops the selection of system reagents as well as a range of applications.

For a full list of all press releases announcing new products at PITTCON 2009, please visit the online media room at www.thermofisher.com/pittcon09.

Thermo Scientific is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With annual revenue of $10.5 billion, we have more than 34,000 employees and serve more than 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we help solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Together, we offer the most convenient purchasing options to customers and continuously advance our technologies to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for shareholders and employees alike. Visit www.thermofisher.com.

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