Mission

Agricultural microscopy is the science and skill of using microscopy for identifying and quantitatively evaluating ingredients and products from agriculture and agri-food.  These commodities include: feeds, fertilizers, seeds, and foods.  Agricultural microscopy provides a quick and inexpensive means of detecting contamination, adulteration, and variation in quality.  Microscopic examination is an important adjunct to chemical analysis as it can disclose materials that may otherwise pass undetected.

The Agricultural Microscopy Division is committed to the continual advancement of visual imaging as a key element in discerning the quality and content of ingredients and finished products of the feed, fertilizer, seed, and agri-food sectors.  Division members share a common interest in advancing the science, techniques, and skills of visual imaging.  Member interaction builds and strengthens professional skills and competencies.

Agricultural Microscopy Division Brochure (pdf)

Newsletters
Members of the Agricultural Microscopy Division receive 4 newsletters per year which contain information relevant to the Agricultural Microscopy audience. Contents include industry and member news, meeting and symposium profiles, upcoming events, awards, and new books. To view a past issue, click on any link below. To get the newsletters as they are released, join the Division!

February 2007    April 2007    November 2007

Archived newsletters.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Help the Division achieve its mission.

A contribution to the Division provides assistance in technical program development, speaker support, and award administration.  Donations are greatly appreciated and recognized in the Division newsletter, website, and at the Annual Meeting. Sponsor an AOCS Annual Meeting event or session (E-mail link)

Of Interest

This section provides links to items of interest to the Division membership. Visit the other AOCS program areas for books, meetings, and official methods related to fields this Division serves. 

Feed Microscopy Memories -- a PowerPoint presentation by Patricia Ramsey, June 2004

Feed Contaminants and Additives Potentially Toxic to Horses

Microscopy Websites:

• If you would like to know just about anything about microscopes, visit this Florida State University website: http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/index.html
• The McCrone Group has a free online microscopy journal available at: http://www.modernmicroscopy.com/main.asp
• Information relevant to food microscopists can be found at the “Food Under the Microscope” website: http://www.magma.ca/~scimat
• Visit this website on the use of light microscopy in botany. You can find information on the different ways light can be manipulated to help visualize your specimen (phase contrast, dark field, polarizing, differential interference contrast, etc.): http://www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/b-online/e03/03.htm

Journal Articles:

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or “Mad Cow Disease,” and the various regulations legislated throughout the world to help eradicate this disease, have led to a great deal of research involving ruminant feeds. As research continues, it has become apparent that microscopy is a necessary tool to verify compliance with these regulations. It has also become apparent that other methodologies (e.g. DNA testing, immunological assays, etc.) must be coupled with microscopy to ensure that feeds are duly tested for compliance. A few journal articles in this area include:

Armour, J., & Blais, B. (2006). Cloth-Based Hybridization Array System for the Detection and Identification of Ruminant Species in Animal Feed. J. Food Prot., 69(2), 453-458.

Gizzi, G., van Raamsdonk, L.W.D., Baeten, V., Murray, I., Berben, G., Brambilla, G., & von Holst., C. (2003). An Overview of Tests for Animal Tissues in Feeds Applied in Response to Public Health Concerns Regarding Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz., 22(1), 311-331.

van Raamsdonk, L.W.D., von Holst, C., Baeten, V., Berben, G., Boix, A., de Jong, J. (2007). New Developments in the Detection and Identification of Processed Animal Proteins in Feeds. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 133, 63-83.

Yancy, H.F., Mohla, A., Farrell, D.E., Myers, M.J. (2005). Evaluation of a Rapid PCR-Based Method for the Detection of Animal Material. J. Food Prot., 68(12), 2651-2655.