Frequently asked questions

Q: Why should I chose the Phadebas test for my alpha-Amylase tests?

A: The test uses a well-defined substrate, produced under GMP conditions. The test is well described and acknowledged in the scientific litterature. The analytical performance of the test is very good, with f.ex. RSD values much better than normally expected for an enzymatic assay. Phadebas has been shown to work well with a host of very different samples and applications. The substrate is specific for alpha-amylase, hence it will not cross-react with enzymes that hydrolyse non-reducing terminal residues of starch, such as for example beta-Amylase or Invertase do. Furthermore, each kit contains a verified, batch specific standard curve for quantitative determination of the activity.

For the products in the Forensic portfolio - the Phadebas sheets are the only product in the market capable of localising hidden saliva stains independent of where the saliva was deposited.

Q: What is the difference between Phadebas and other alpha-Amylase detection kits?

A: The substrate is specific for alpha-Amylase, hence it will not cross-react with enzymes that hydrolyse non-reducing terminal residues of starch, such as for example beta-Amylase or Invertase do.

Q: Does Amylase of animal origin give rise to false positives in forensic casework?

A: Peter Lamb at the FSS showed that saliva samples taken from sheep, horse, cow, goat, pig, cat and dog did NOT yield positive results with the Phadebas Forensic press test. A quantitative determination of alpha-Amylase, using Phadebas tablets, revealed that Amylase activities in these animals were more than a 1000 times lower than in human saliva.

Q: Where and How can I buy the products?

A: Please use the ordering section of this website.

Q: Who is responsible for Phadebas sales in Japan?

A: Sales and distribution of Phadebas in Japan is exclusively through Shino-Test Corporation. Visit their web site here>>

Q: How do I become a registered customer?

A: When you place an order in the ordering section of this web page, we will register you as our customer.

You will receive a confirmation that you have been registered, together with your customer identification number.

Q: Who is responsible for sales in USA and Canada?

A: Magle Life Sciences in Cambridge, MA. Contact information here>>

Q: Wasn't the Phadebas test sold by another Swedish company?

A: Yes, Pharmacia Diagnostics invented the Amylase Test in the 1960's and was the sole distributor until Dec. 31, 2005. In 2005, Magle AB acquired all rights to the Phadebas brand and products.

Q: Is the Phadebas test any different now, compared to the products we bought from Pharmacia?

A: No changes have been made in the product specification, hence the product is the same. The formats are also the same, i.e. a 50 tablet and a 5x100 tablet format. Each product includes a batch specific standard curve and instructions for use in English, French, Spanish and German.

Phadebas is however no longer registered for In-Vitro Diagnostic use. 

Q: Will Phadebas Amylase Test continue to be CE marked for in-vitro diagnostic use?

A: No, Phadebas is no longer marketed for the IVD market. No changes are made to the products, but we do not maintain the necessary registrations for upholding the product's IVD status.

Q: How does the Neo Amylase Test compare with the Phadebas Amylase Test?

A: The Daiichi Pure Chemicals group packaged, marketed and sold Phadebas tablets under the name "Neo Amylase Test". Hence, the Phadebas Amylase test IS in fact the Neo Amylase test! The difference lies mainly in the packaging, where "Neo" has been sold in packages of 100 tablets, and "Phadebas" is sold either as 1x50 tablets or 5x100 tablets. In Japan, Phadebas is distributed by Shino-Test Corporation.
 

Q: My spectrophotometer doesn't measure at 620 nm. What if I use 590 nm?

A: 620 nm is an absorption maxima for the chromophore of the blue dye we use in Phadebas. You will still obtain measurable results, but you will lose in sensitivity and presumably in precision. This may result in increased RSD values and if you are measuring low or very low amylase activities, we recommend using the specified wavelength.

Q: Can I use deionised water instead of distilled?

A: You need to validate this change for your application. Consistent enzymatic performance in terms of the assay's accuracy and precision/repeatability need to be confirmed before changing to deionised water. For the forensic press test however, any type of clean water can be used.

Q: How does Magle intend to improve the Phadebas products in the future?

A: Phadebas is a strategically important product in Magle's portfolio. We intend to optimise the product for current customers, develop new applications and offer tailor-made products for some of the major application within food and feed. In 2007, we took the first step by introducing the Forensic portfolio, after a very successful project in close collaboration with STFI, Stockholm. In 2010, we will launch a new product tailored to suit the analysis of diastase in honey samples.

Q: How does the Phadebas test actually work?

A: The active ingredient of the Phadebas tablet are starch polymer chains, homogeneously interlinked to form spheres of uniform and pre-defined size, so called Bio-Degradable Starch Microspheres, or DSMs. DSMs are insoluble in water. A water soluble blue dye is chemically attached to the microspheres and, as long as the dye is bound to the DSM, it remains insoluble in water. In the presence of Amylase, the DSMs are degraded by the enzyme, at a speed increasing with the solution's Amylase activity. The characteristics of the liberated blue dye molecule is key for Phadebas action:

• In quantitative assays, the free, water soluble fraction of the dye is measured in a spectrophotometer after a pre-determined time of enzymatic degradation. The concentration of dye is proportional to the amylase activity of the original sample, which can be read from the supplied standard curve.
• In the qualitative forensic press test, it's the diffusion of liberated dye molecules that indicates the presence of salivary Amylase.
   

The center of the picture shows a DSM. In the picture, the DSM is actively stimulating the blood clotting process, one of many applications of DSMs. Read more about our hemostasis product at www.magle.se