Reveal Q+ MAX for Ochratoxin is a single-step lateral flow immunoassay. In the test, the extract is wicked through the reagent zone, which contains antibodies specific for ochratoxin conjugated to colloidal gold particles (gold complex). If ochratoxin is present, it will be captured by the gold complex. The gold complex, along with any free gold-complex, is then wicked onto a membrane, which contains a zone of ochratoxin conjugated to a protein carrier. This zonecaptures any unbound gold complex, allowing the particles to concentrate and form a visible line. As the level of ochratoxin in a sample increases, free ochratoxin will bind with the gold complex allowing less gold complex to be captured in the test zones. Therefore, as the concentration of ochratoxin in the sample increases, the test line density decreases. Algorithms programmed into the AccuScan^® readers convert the line intensities into a quantitative result displayed in parts per billion (ppb). The membrane also contains a control zone where an immune complex present in the reagent zone is captured by an antibody, forming a visible line. The control line will always form regardless of the presence of ochratoxin, ensuring the strip is functioning properly.