DELFT, Netherlands (May 28, 2009) – Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, introduced a new application note demonstrating the unprecedented capabilities of the Thermo Scientific FLASH 4000 nitrogen/protein analyzer in providing accurate, reproducible and rapid nitrogen/protein determination in animal feed. The application note which is entitled “Nitrogen/Protein determination in Animal Feed by the Thermo Scientific FLASH 4000 Series” is available to download via the literature library at www.thermo.com/flash

Protein is one of the most important nutrients in animal feed, providing animals with the necessary building blocks to produce their own proteins in order to grow, maintain or produce muscles, enzymes, hormones, milk, wool, etc. However, the quantity of protein required by animals is very precise as excess amounts can lead to amino acid deficiency and generate unnecessary amounts of energy. As a result, the precise determination of protein content in finished animal feed, through the determination of nitrogen, is fundamental to achieving high nutritional quality of these products.

The Dumas Combustion method, approved by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), monitors nitrogen concentration in animal feed in a much quicker, safer and more reliable way than the conventional Kjeldahl method. The FLASH 4000TM which is based on the Dumas combustion method, provides significant advantages over the Kjeldahl method. It requires no sample digestion or toxic chemicals, offering a much safer, more economical and less environmentally damaging solution for protein determination.

The novel analyzer effectively tests for levels of nitrogen in a wide range from low to high content without matrix effect and with reduced sample preparation. The analyzer achieves a relative standard deviation of less than 2 % according to the official Dumas Combustion method, indicating that fine homogenization is not necessary. In addition, no memory effect is observed when changing the type of sample, ensuring complete detection of the nitrogen present in the sample.

The applicability of the FLASH 4000 extends even further, providing an automated, precise and reliable method to monitor levels of nitrogen/protein in any type of food and beverage using large sample amounts of more than 2g. These capabilities make the analyzer the optimum choice for quality control and R&D environments in the food industry, drastically improving their autonomy and reducing downtime, maintenance and cost per analysis.

For more information about the new Thermo Scientific FLASH 4000 Nitrogen/Protein analyzer, please call +1 800-532-4752, email analyze@thermofisher.com or alternatively please visit www.thermo.com/flash4000.

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 2008 revenues of $10.5 billion, we have approximately 34,000 employees and serve over 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. The Thermo Scientific brand represents 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.