Category: Article

Imagining the Zero Waste Labs of Tomorrow

Scientific research laboratories play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of science and developing transformative healthcare solutions. However, the intensive nature of lab work has raised concerns about their environmental impact. These concerns primarily focus on energy consumption, waste production, chemical handling, and equipment disposal, all of which can leave a significant environmental footprint.

Life science research, in particular, is known for its high consumption of water and energy. Labs dedicated to addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges generate a disproportionate amount of waste. According to a study from the University of Exeter, nearly 5.5 million tons of plastic waste originate from labs, accounting for approximately 2% of all plastic waste globally.

In an era where global sustainability is of increasing importance, labs are facing the challenge of balancing scientific progress with ecological responsibility. Encouragingly, significant strides are being made in this area. A recent survey on lab sustainability by Frost & Sullivan revealed that 82% of the labs surveyed have adopted sustainability metrics. Impressively, 92% of these labs use these metrics to monitor resource use, and 87% have committed to goals aimed at reducing their global greenhouse gas (GHG) and carbon emissions. So, what are some of the key moves these labs are making to achieve these goals?

View the full survey on Reducing the Environmental Footprint of Research >

Reducing waste in labs

Waste management is a major environmental concern, with many labs recognising the need to reduce waste production. They are finding that even small, straightforward behavioural changes can lead to substantial results. Managing plastic waste, in particular, is a critical issue for labs.

Traditionally, plastic waste in labs is sterilised, incinerated, and transported over long distances, significantly contributing to carbon emissions. Furthermore, the incineration of plastic releases numerous toxic chemicals into the environment.

Watch our webinar on Boost Productivity and Eliminate Waste in Raw Material ID >

Fortunately, the market is seeing the development of innovative solutions for better plastic waste management in labs. One such solution is a sterilisation process that is over 90% more carbon-efficient, using a combination of mechanical and chemical processes. This innovative process eliminates the need for autoclave sterilisation, which disinfects plastic waste using heat—steam—along with pressure and time.

Download the The Carbon Impact of Biotech & Pharma Report >

Real-time monitoring of lab assets

Enhancing the management of lab systems and processes presents a promising opportunity for innovations that leverage the rapid advancement of digital tools. The cost-effectiveness of data monitoring and collection across various analytical instruments, along with the implementation of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), can optimise asset usage and improve overall lab efficiency.

Future lab instruments will likely be equipped with features for monitoring and providing real-time feedback on their operational status. They will have built-in intelligence to alert lab technicians if there is an operational issue that needs attention or if consumables are running low. This real-time data will enable operators to make better-informed decisions, thereby optimising their lab assets for efficient management, superior scientific output, and sustainability benefits.

It is also important to analyse a lab’s end-to-end supply chain to ensure suppliers are being engaged that share similar sustainability values and provide transparency on their sustainability performance. Such choices are made easier by My Green Lab’s ACT label which provides information regarding the environmental impact of manufacturing, using, and disposing of a product and its packaging. One of the instrument that proudly carries this label is the versatile Agilent 1260 Infinity II LC System.

Watch this video to learn more about My Green Lab >

Agilent 1260 Infinity II Manual Preparative LC System

Re-educating lab staff

At every step, it is critical that lab technicians and support staff are educated and share the responsibility for using new technology and implementing sustainability policies. Having goals is essential, but they cannot be achieved without the collective efforts of the staff. They need to understand how to properly dispose of plastic waste, implement practices to reduce water and energy consumption and be inspired to seek new ideas and solutions to help labs achieve their sustainability goals.

Companies like Chemetrix and its suppliers, such as Agilent, provide a wide range of resources to support this educational effort. By fostering a culture of sustainability and equipping staff with the knowledge and tools needed to make a difference, labs can significantly reduce their environmental impact while continuing to advance scientific research.

Download the The Carbon Impact of Biotech & Pharma Report >

As we look to the future, it is possible that potential clients or potential contracts could be secured if there’s evidence that the lab operations are sustainable and waste reduction efforts are paying off. It’s become an influencing factor in business relationships as clients with their own sustainability initiatives want to know if their service providers or in-house labs are doing the same. For some labs, achieving sustainability and waste reduction goals can directly influence their operational budget. It could also boost efficiency and lead to innovation because it requires a different way of thinking that can spark fresh ideas. There’s so much to gain and nothing to lose from choosing to make a lab more sustainable and the rewards can be seen almost immediately and in years to come.

Exploring sustainability solutions and options can be daunting. It’s unknown territory and one can feel unsure about which option would work best for a specific lab. Chemetrix can help by hearing your sustainability challenges, and your lab goals, and finding the right instruments and consumables that’ll be a more eco-friendly choice. As labs endeavour to reduce waste, it’s helpful to trust Chemetrix to provide solutions and product suggestions that align with sustainability goals. Contact us and let’s make tomorrow possible today.

 

How Real is Your Milk?

The African dairy market is on the rise. Southern Africa plays a crucial role in this growth, with milk consumption gradually increasing in the region. Milk is a staple food in this region and is consumed in various forms, including fresh, powdered, and condensed milk.

The growth of the African dairy market is driven by factors such as changing consumer preferences, increased demand, and local special circumstances. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) projects that the African dairy sector will continue to grow by 30% which is drawing attention from investors.

Milk: The essentials

Milk is a natural source of the fats, minerals, nutrients, micronutrients, and vitamins required for a balanced diet. It is also essential for the growth and development of babies and infants into early childhood. Either breast or infant formula milk is given to babies for at least the first six months of their lives, and between the ages of one and two years, whole milk and dairy products are recommended to ensure that babies receive essential vitamins they may not otherwise obtain from lower fat alternatives.

 

Preserving nutritional values, safety, and authenticity

Milk and its related products are tested for three main reasons within the food and beverage industry:

  1. Nutrition — ensuring the required nutritional value of milk is present in its products.
  2. Safety — confirming the absence of suspected harmful chemicals in milk.
  3. Authenticity — determining if milk products are adulterated and therefore compromised in any way.

By testing these three factors, consumers are more protected from mislabelled, fraudulent, and potentially contaminated milk products that may have reached the marketplace unregulated.

The importance of testing nutritional values of milk and infant formulas

Testing the nutritional values of milk is important so that consumers can make informed decisions about their purchases. Above all, manufacturers of specified products — such as infant formulas for example — must adhere to uncompromising nutritional values determined by regional, national, or international regulatory bodies.

To support consumers making these decisions about their milk and/or infant formula purchases, it is crucial for manufacturers to label their products accurately. In doing so, food testing labs may carry out experiments using HPLC, LC/MS/MS, and GC systems to accurately measure milk content for sugars, fats, vitamins, and amino acids.

Measuring the levels of vitamins as well as beneficial (and some essential) elements such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, selenium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc, provides insightful nutritional information. It’s also important to monitor for potentially toxic elements such as arsenic, cadmium, tin, mercury, and lead in animal-derived milk as contamination could originate from animal feed, fertiliser, soil, or processing equipment.

In one study, the Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES system used with an SPS 4 autosampler determined calcium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, phosphorous, and zinc in milk powder and infant formula samples according to the ISO 15151 method. Results showed that the recoveries for all analytes with certified or reference values were within ±10% of the expected value, thus confirming its nutritional labelling.

Other experimental examples include the rapid analysis of major and trace elements in milk and milk products using an Agilent 7900 ICP-MS with optional Ultra High Matrix Introduction UHMI technology and Integrated Sample Introduction System (ISIS 3).

Agilent 5800 ICP-OES
Agilent 7900 ICP-MS

 

Examining the safety of milk

Foods of animal origins such as dairy milk go through additional scrutiny to detect levels of veterinary drugs. Without a sophisticated approach for testing dairy milk samples, analytical challenges are likely to arise due to the complexity of the matrix and the number of pharmaceutical analogues needed to monitor. Furthermore, the different legislative requirements of various countries require sample referencing that meets a wide variety of regulatory conditions.

Watch our webinar on Food Testing Using Atomic Spectroscopy>

Another factor to consider when examining the safety of milk is the responsible use of pesticides within established limits in animal feeds from which dairy milk is extracted, and in other plant-based ingredients which may be added to other milk products. To validate this, LC/MS, GC/MS, and Q-TOF workflows offer food testing labs the solutions needed to accurately measure pesticide levels in milk samples.

Furthermore, food safety studies are routinely conducted to detect, quantify, and validate trace-level analysis of undesirable byproducts such as chlorate and perchlorate in store-bought milk and infant formulas. In one particular study, the Agilent 1290 Infinity II LC and Ultivo triple quadrupole LC/MS (LC/TQ) were utilised. Data from this experiment highlights accurate quantitation at one-tenth the level of the maximum residue level (MRL), which is 10 μg/kg in milk and infant formula as defined by the European Commission.

Download our poster on Quantification of Mycotoxins in Milk Samples >

Agilent 1290 Infinity II Online SPE System
Agilent Ultivo LC/MSMS

Exposing fraudulent milk to preserve its authenticity

Globally, milk continues to be one of the most adulterated food and beverage products on the market. For example, in 2008 the analysis of dairy milk powder from Minhe Hui County, China, revealed the contamination of melamine—an organic compound used to manufacture fertilisers and concrete—to be 500 times the maximum limit of melamine found in test samples at that time.

More recently in Southern Asia, the Punjab Food Authority seized almost 80,000 litres of milk to combat the adulteration of dairy products in the local metropolis. The milk was flagged due to the addition of urea and water.

In addition to deceiving consumers and manufacturing producers, food fraudsters can seriously affect the health outcomes of individuals. Fortunately, innovations in analytical instrumentation and testing methods are exposing these unlawful acts to reinstall consumer confidence by validating the authenticity and safety of products such as milk and infant formulas.

For example, the Agilent 8890 GC and the Agilent 5977B GC/MS single quadrupole mass spectrometer have been used to detect and quantify β-sitosterol in ghee (milk fat) samples to check for vegetable oil adulteration. The presence of β-sitosterol is associated with low quality and is a potential indicator of adulterated milk. Results showed that 2.24 ppm β-sitosterol was found in the ghee sample on which the study was performed.

Agilent 8890 GC

Both targeted and non-targeted approaches can be used to identify known compounds in milk and other food authenticity testing. The latter is beneficial if adulterants in milk are new or have not been previously identified by food testing labs. Non-targeted methods using quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometers, for example, create a chemical fingerprint of authentic foods, making it more difficult for food fraudsters to cheat the global food supply chain.

 

Forming partnerships to eliminate milk fraud

As milk sale projections are estimated to increase over the next few years, and with wider varieties of product choices in stores and online, it is important that companies like Chemetrix continue to work in partnership with its food testing customers to eliminate the threat of milk fraud while preserving its nutritional values, safety, and authenticity. Above all, manufacturers of milk products must adhere to multiple food regulations relating to quality and safety which are constantly being updated. Chemetrix is here to support our customers so that consumers of their products have confidence in their purchase choice for the nourishment of themselves and their families.

Parts of this article have been adapted from the original published by Agilent.

Bioburden Testing and Rapid Microbiology Methods

In the realm of pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology industries, ensuring product safety and compliance with stringent regulatory standards is paramount. One of the critical quality control processes that aid in achieving this goal is bioburden testing. This essential procedure involves the quantification and identification of microbial load on products, packaging, and raw materials. At Chemetrix, we understand the significance of this process and the need for reliable and efficient instruments. This is where Veolia’s advanced solutions come into play, providing robust support for bioburden testing to enhance quality control measures.

 

 

What is bioburden testing?

Bioburden testing is the measurement of the microbial load, or the number of viable microorganisms present on a product, surface, or in a solution. This test is crucial in various stages of manufacturing, particularly for sterile products, as it ensures that the bioburden levels are within acceptable limits before sterilisation. By identifying and quantifying the microorganisms present, manufacturers can assess the effectiveness of their cleaning, disinfection, and sterilisation processes.

The results from bioburden tests are used to validate and monitor the manufacturing processes, ensuring that they consistently produce products that meet safety and efficacy standards. Regular bioburden testing helps in detecting contamination issues early, preventing potential product recalls and safeguarding consumer health.

The necessity of bioburden testing in quality control

Bioburden testing is not just a regulatory requirement but a critical aspect of quality control that offers numerous benefits:

  1. Ensures sterility: For products that must be sterile, such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and surgical instruments, bioburden testing ensures that the sterilisation processes are effective. Any surviving microorganisms can pose serious health risks to patients.
  2. Regulatory compliance: Regulatory bodies like the FDA and EMA mandate bioburden testing as part of the manufacturing process. Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties, product recalls, and damage to a company’s reputation.
  3. Process validation and control: Bioburden testing helps in validating and controlling manufacturing processes. By understanding the microbial load at various stages, manufacturers can fine-tune their processes to minimise contamination risks.
  4. Risk management: Identifying the types and quantities of microorganisms present allows for better risk management. This proactive approach helps in implementing corrective actions before any significant issues arise.

Watch our webinar on Testing Quality Attributes of Water for Pharmaceutical Production >

 

How Veolia’s instruments facilitate bioburden testing

Veolia offers a range of advanced instruments designed to streamline and enhance the bioburden testing process. Here’s how their technology can assist:

  1. Automated sampling and analysis: Veolia’s automated systems ensure precise and consistent sampling and analysis, reducing human error and improving reliability. These systems can handle high sample volumes efficiently, making them ideal for large-scale operations.
  2. Real-time monitoring: Veolia’s instruments offer real-time monitoring of microbial loads, providing immediate feedback on contamination levels. This capability allows for quicker decision-making and timely corrective actions, ensuring continuous control over the production process.
  3. Advanced filtration systems: Effective filtration is crucial in bioburden testing, and Veolia’s advanced filtration systems ensure that even the smallest microorganisms are captured and analysed accurately. These systems are designed to handle various sample types, from liquids to solids, ensuring versatility in testing.
  4. Comprehensive data management: Data integrity and traceability are critical in bioburden testing. Veolia’s instruments come with integrated data management solutions that ensure all test results are accurately recorded, stored, and easily accessible for audits and regulatory inspections.

 

 

Addressing bioburden effectively has yielded remarkable benefits across various industries, with numerous success stories underscoring its importance. Veolia’s cutting-edge bioburden testing instruments have played a crucial role in these successes. Their precision and efficiency in detecting and quantifying microbial presence have empowered companies to maintain stringent quality standards, ensuring the safety and efficacy of their products.

Download our whitepaper on Rapid Microbial Method Verification Testing for USP >

 

By investing in robust bioburden testing solutions, businesses can visualise a future where product recalls and contamination issues are drastically minimised. This proactive approach not only safeguards public health but also reinforces consumer trust, driving long-term growth and success. Embracing bioburden testing is not just a compliance measure; it is a strategic move towards achieving excellence in quality control and securing a competitive edge in the market.

Veolia’s state-of-the-art instruments offer unparalleled precision and reliability, empowering businesses to tackle microbial contamination with confidence. To learn more about how Veolia’s innovative solutions can enhance your bioburden testing processes and drive success, connect with Chemetrix today. Our team is ready to provide expert guidance and support, helping you achieve excellence in quality control and secure a competitive edge in the market.

 

Combating PFAS ‘The Forever Chemical’ Contamination

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s due to their useful properties. There are thousands of different PFAS, some of which have been more widely used and studied than others.

Nothing about PFAS – from how they are made, to their unique characteristics, to how they need to be analysed – is easy. These chemicals were developed to simplify our lives, but now decades later, they have become a serious problem due to their elusive and persistent nature, hence the nickname ‘The Forever Chemical.’ What is clear is that PFAS contamination is an environmental and growing health issue, but what is less clear is how to address and manage this issue.

 

The importance of PFAS

PFAS are important because they have been widely used in industry and manufacturing due to their unique chemical properties; properties that make them heat-resistant, able to repel water, and close to indestructible. PFAS compounds have been used in many applications such as non-stick cookware, stain-repellent clothes, food contact materials, detergents, cleaning products, and fire-fighting foams.

The unfortunate consequence of PFAS

For many years, PFAS were thought to be inert and nontoxic and were extensively used with little thought for environmental disposal or ecological impact. It was not until early this century that the extent of PFAS global contamination was first realised. There are over 4000 PFAS compounds thought to have been manufactured and are now potentially in the environment globally.

The research on PFAS compounds has identified them as being persistent and bio accumulative, and their widespread use has led to them being almost ubiquitous in the environment. Because PFAS do not break down, they enter the environment through production or waste streams. In South Africa, the presence of PFAS has been detected in some water sources, including rivers and dams.

“PFAS are a new style of pollutants that don’t follow the ‘rules’ of traditional organic pollutants. This is why regulators and scientists, unfortunately, failed to predict how these chemicals would move through the environment, and why we now have a serious problem of such widespread PFAS contamination of drinking water, agricultural land, and the domestic environment.”

– Bradley Clarke, senior lecturer in Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Science, at the University of Melbourne in Australia, and an Agilent collaborator.

 

PFAS exposure and human health

People can be exposed to low levels of PFAS compounds through consumer products that contain PFAS, for example, carpets, leather and apparel, textiles, paper and packaging materials, and non-stick cookware. Drinking water can also be a source of exposure in communities where these chemicals have contaminated water supplies, such as an industrial facility where PFAS were produced, or used to manufacture other products, or an oil refinery, airfield or other location at which PFAS may have been used for firefighting.

Download our eBook Guide to Targeted Quantification and Screening of PFAS Compounds in Environmental Matrices >

Helping scientists learn more about PFAS

PFAS contamination is a complex issue. While knowledge about PFAS compounds and their potential health effects has grown, many questions remain unanswered. It’s also a global issue and collaborative research allows countries to share knowledge, best practices, and effective solutions.

Watch our webinar on Strategies to Optimise Performance of PFAS Analysis >

Committed to helping scientists and regulators around the world solve these water issues to provide safe and sustainable water sources for everyone, Agilent has recently developed a protocol for the analysis of PFASs in drinking water using the Agilent Ultivo triple quadrupole LC/MS. Working with leading researchers around the world, Agilent has also developed a method for extracting PFASs in drinking water using Agilent Offline Solid Phase Extraction and an Agilent LC/MS/MS system with a PFAS-free 1290 Infinity II LC System.

Agilent Ultivo LC/MSMS

 

Agilent 1290 Infinity II 2D-LC System

 

Providing scientists with measurement and identification technology solutions to accurately analyze PFAS chemicals in water is a critical first step for estimating human exposure and potential risk. Robust analytical techniques that can provide unbiased quantitative and qualitative data on these PFAS pollutants at trace levels are necessary for further understanding their environmental fate, ecological impacts, and impacts on public health. These analytical techniques and the fundamental data they generate will allow scientists and regulators to make informed assessments of PFAS use in modern society.

Watch our webinar on The PFAS Lab of the Future >

Although PFAS research on the African continent is not extensive as yet, the growing awareness and need to understand these chemicals for policy and regulation is necessary. As an analytical instrument supplier and solutions provider for laboratories, Chemetrix is committed to helping combat the “Forever Chemical” challenge.

Parts of this article have been adapted from the original published by Agilent.

Revolutionising Nutrition: The Rise of Alternative Proteins

The food industry is experiencing a significant shift as alternative proteins rise in popularity. These non-animal-based foods, ingredients, and beverages, including plant-based, cell culture-based, and fermentation-based proteins, offer a new frontier in nutrition and sustainability. Designed to mimic the taste, texture, and nutritional profiles of traditional animal proteins, alternative proteins have come a long way from the mock meats of the past. The market for these products is booming, projected to surpass $290 billion by 2030, driven by their nutritional benefits, environmental sustainability, and potential to enhance food security.

Today, the industry for alternative proteins has technology on their side and are continuously turning to data and analysis to find solutions that will make these increasingly popular food items more appealing to a wider consumer base. And while meat or burgers grown in a lab does grab headlines, it’s a far cry from the products found in grocery stores that are more practical and cost-effective. Making better alternative protein products isn’t as easy as throwing lentils into the mix and scientific methods are helping to expand the alternative protein offerings in the mainstream market.

 

Passing taste tests with lab innovation

As the market for alternative proteins expands, rigorous testing becomes crucial. Ensuring the safety, composition, health benefits, and sustainability of these products is essential for maintaining consumer trust and industry growth. For many consumers, concerns about contaminants like veterinary drugs and hormones in meat products make alternative proteins a preferred choice, perceived as a healthier option. However, with rising demand and sometimes limited supply, food fraud becomes a significant challenge. Fraudsters may substitute expensive plant-based proteins with allergens like wheat or soya, or engage in other deceptive practices such as mislabelling and counterfeiting.

To address these challenges and meet consumer expectations in terms of the sensory experience, food developers are turning to advanced analytical tools. These tools are essential for overcoming the biggest hurdles to mainstream acceptance of alternative proteins: taste and texture.

By using sensitive instruments to analyse and optimise the flavour, aroma, and nutritional profiles of these products, food scientists can ensure they meet the high standards expected by consumers.

The process begins with sample preparation to remove unwanted interferences such as fats, chlorophyll, and pigments, allowing researchers to accurately compare the alternative proteins to their animal-based counterparts. Tools like liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry systems are then used to analyse food on a molecular level. Liquid chromatography provides detailed characterisation of stable components such as amino acids, vitamins, and lipids, while gas chromatography examines volatile compounds to engineer desired smells and tastes.

In addition to instrumental analysis, human taste testers play a crucial role in evaluating the palatability of food. Advanced instrumentation can complement this by objectively identifying the five basic tastes – sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami – in alternative proteins. This combined approach ensures a comprehensive assessment of flavour and texture, critical for consumer acceptance.

Download our Application Compendium for tips and tricks on Alternative Protein Testing >

Ensuring a quality composition of alternative proteins

Agilent’s workflow solutions exemplify the robust testing needed in the alternative protein industry. These solutions validate the authenticity, nutritional information, and safety of alternative protein products. For instance, Agilent’s LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technology has been used to investigate non-meat proteins and peptide markers in ready-to-cook beef burgers, while GC/MS-based metabolomics approaches differentiate the chemical profiles of plant-based meat alternatives from grass-fed ground beef.

Watch our webinar on Metabolomics Profiling of Meat and Plant-based Meats >

 

Agilent 5977 GC/MSD

 

Elemental analysis is another critical aspect of ensuring the quality of alternative proteins. During the production process, there is potential for elemental metals to contaminate the final products. Agilent’s atomic spectroscopy instruments, such as the 7850 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), enable the identification and quantification of these metal elements, ensuring product safety.

Agilent 7850 ICP-MS

 

The future of food relies heavily on advancing research into alternative proteins. Technologies such as ICP-MS, triple quadrupole (QQQ) liquid or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/GC/MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are recommended for robust testing purposes. These tools not only support the development of safer, healthier, and more sustainable food options but also influence the global food supply chain.

 

Chemetrix has the expert knowledge and innovative solutions required by the food industry to advance the safety and innovative product development of alternative proteins. As the food and agriculture industry faces ever-increasing demands for more sensitive, productive analytical solutions, Chemetrix leads the industry with products and services to help you deliver what your customers demand. Our instruments, systems, and supplies are used throughout the food production chain, including incoming inspection, new product development, quality control and assurance, and packaging. Contact us to find out how our team can assist you.

 

Mitigating Plastic Pollution While Regenerating Our Oceans

It is estimated that more than 75% of the 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic produced over the last 65 years have turned into waste, of which up to 13 million metric tons end up in our oceans every year.

Plastic is one of the most enduring materials created by humans. Unfortunately, it can take hundreds of years to degrade, and even then, it often becomes microplastics – tiny particles that can be ingested by marine animals. These microplastics enter the food chain, leading to disastrous consequences for our planet and its inhabitants.

Improving plastic waste management globally is critical and individuals and organisations can play a part in reducing plastic pollution and regenerating oceans. Researchers are exploring biodegradable plastics and alternative materials to reduce plastic’s impact and there are many alternative solutions available to reduce single-use plastics.

 

What labs are doing to reduce plastic pollution

Labs can be influential advocates and encourage industry-wide shifts toward more sustainable practices. Of course, labs are key players in the research of plastic pollution, analyzing to help organisations develop a better understanding of the scope of plastic waste worldwide and use those insights to create innovative solutions, especially for marine environments.

But there’s also no denying that labs consume vast amounts of single-use plastic items, including pipette tips, tubes, gloves, and reagent bottles. These plastics are essential for maintaining sterile conditions and avoiding contamination, but their disposal contributes significantly to plastic waste. Lab instruments are also made up of plastic parts and do most of us know the process for disposing of those instruments at the end of their life?

What’s exciting to see is the scientific community strongly advocating for change and implementing practices that already have a significant impact such as:

  • Reviewing the materials used in common consumables and opting for products with minimal plastic content or those made from recyclable materials.
  • Incorporating re-using along with recycling and engaging with suppliers to support re-useable product options and recycling programs
  • Designing experiments and workflows with circular economy principles in mind.
  • Setting targets for reducing plastic waste.

 

An example of plastic sustainable solutions

With a focus on forming a biotech company to tackle plastic pollution, ULUU was started in 2020 by Dr Julia Reisser and Michael Kingsbury. They are trying to solve the growing issue of plastic pollution by prototyping alternative materials to market.

ULUU’s PHA product sample

 

“Unlike synthetic plastics, our materials are not produced using petrochemicals derived from fossil fuels. Instead, they are made from sustainable feedstocks with much more sustainable production processes. And, in the end, our products are compostable and marine-biodegradable, so they don’t pose a lasting impact on the environment,” described Dr. Luke Richards, lead scientist at ULUU.

The mission at ULUU is to replace plastics with materials that are good for the world. They’re producing a versatile natural polymer called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), using seaweed as a sustainable resource for that process. The result is a material that is biodegradable and won’t accumulate in oceans and landfills or linger as microplastics in biological systems.

Discover the Challenges in Microplastics Analysis in our webinar >

ULUU scientists Dr Sheik Md Moniruzzaman and Vatsal Meshram in their QC lab using the Agilent 1260 Infinity II LC with Agilent InfinityLab LC/MSD iQ

 

In terms of climate change, using seaweed as a feedstock, ULUU captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into PHA. Their process also doesn’t rely on conventional land-based farming, which can take land away from natural ecosystems. Additionally, farming seaweed has some positive impacts on oceans. Research indicates that seaweed helps clean up environmental pollutants and reverses acidification and eutrophication.

ULUU uses bioreactors ranging from 1 to 50 L to make their products. They also use specialised equipment to investigate injection moulding and turn their PHA product into solid objects for prototyping. The entire production process from seaweed input to the finished PHA powder is monitored by their QC lab, in which most assays use chromatography instruments. These instruments include two Agilent 1260 Infinity II liquid chromatographs (LCs) and one Agilent 8890 gas chromatograph (GC), with detection by an Agilent InfinityLab LC/MSD iQ, an Agilent 1260 Infinity II refractive index detector (RID), and an Agilent 5977B GC/MSD.

Agilent 8890
Agilent LC/MSD iQ
Agilent 1260 Infinity II
Agilent 5977B GC-MSD

 

Sustainability is the way of the future for all laboratories and investing in the right solutions now can turn the tide for the future. Chemetrix is the partner labs that need to reach its sustainability goals and implement solutions that will reduce its environmental impact and plastic waste now and in years to come.

 

5 Tips to Reduce Instrument Downtime

Labs are meant to be shining examples of precision, innovation and efficiency. But, imagine a high-tech instrument, meticulously calibrated, sitting idle, its potential squandered. Meanwhile, researchers wait impatiently, experiments are delayed, and costs mount. Labs cannot thrive when they aren’t operating at the highest level possible.

Unplanned downtime affects your lab’s ability to deliver data quickly and accurately – which can hurt your bottom line. It should be a top priority for every lab to optimise its operations and paying attention to downtime is vital to success. But the good news is: that you can significantly reduce the frequency and impact of downtime.

Watch our webinar on how to Reduce Instrument Downtime With Usage-Based Maintenance webinar >

 

Do preventative maintenance

Scheduling regular preventive maintenance maximises uptime, extends the useful life of your instruments, and increases the accuracy of your results. It can even reduce unexpected repairs by 24%. Check if instruments provide early maintenance warnings and follow them closely. If not, create a schedule for instrument maintenance that all staff must follow. Lab software can also send alerts for preventative maintenance. It’s also advised to run analysis or diagnostics on instruments to see if they are operating efficiently.

 

Increase users’ knowledge and skills

When staff are empowered with access to learning and troubleshooting resources, it can improve lab throughput and analytical accuracy. Chemetrix provides many troubleshooting resources so staff can respond to minor instrument challenges first. As additional support, Chemetrix Academy provides training resources, tips and tricks to make the most of instruments and methods, thereby reducing instrument downtime.

Download our poster on GC/MS Best Practices >

 

Optimise methods

Ready-to-go methods for regulated and routine analyses, plus prewritten standard operating procedures can save weeks of method development and documentation time plus reduce instrument downtime. A robust method also reduces the risk of unexpected downtime due to unreliable results. Additionally, instruments and software that provide the option of automation for certain tasks reduce human error.

Download our poster on How to Optimise Your ICP-OES Methods >

 

Check lab data

An analysis of instrument data can provide insights such as when and where downtime issues are prevalent. By using the instrument data available, it is far easier to an overall picture of the lab’s downtime incidents and identify solutions for specific challenges. If a lab doesn’t yet have a robust software solution implemented, doing so may save time and money as it can analyse instrument performance, including downtime, and monitor overall performance for improved operational efficiency.

Agilent Cary 3500 UV-Vis

 

Plan upgrades based on equipment lifespan

Instruments have a finite lifespan. It’s essential to know when equipment was purchased or installed and also regularly assess its age and performance. Use historical data to predict when an instrument might fail. Predictive maintenance involves analysing patterns and identifying early warning signs. It’s vital for labs to plan for upgrades or replacements before critical failures occur. This proactive approach minimises unplanned downtime. Remember, treating instruments as long-term investments rather than disposable tools pays off in the long run.

Customers expect reliable and timely services from labs. When the integrity and quality of the results or the timely delivery of analysis is compromised, labs may find that their reputation and customer trust are compromised leading to poor business outcomes. Instrument downtime is in fact easily addressed if staff and management work together with a holistic approach. By working with Chemetrix, labs can be supported with the resources they need to enjoy a great return on investment from their instruments.

Watch our webinar on how to Free Your Workflows from Common Time Traps >

Agilent 7850 ICP-MS

 

Having the best instruments is just one factor of lab success, using them well is the other. As the scientific landscape continues to surprise with discoveries and developments, it is possible to adapt methods and instrument functions to remain abreast of industry trends or client requirements. Chat with our team to find out how we can provide the instruments you need along with our renowned after-sales support to help your lab achieve its goals.

 

A Look at Data Integrity in Pharma Labs

Data integrity problems in pharmaceutical quality control laboratories are driving more regulatory action than ever before. What has changed to drive all this activity? While plenty of information is available, much of it seems to confuse rather than clarify.

Data integrity is a critical aspect in pharmaceutical laboratories, ensuring that the data generated during business operations and drug manufacturing is accurate, complete, and reliable. When data is reliable, business owners can make informed decisions, improve product quality, and contribute to overall success.

Data integrity is important because it builds trust with stakeholders and ensures that the information used to evaluate drug safety, efficacy, and quality is trustworthy. For patients using a pharmaceutical product, it assures them of the safety that is promised and provides qualitative evidence to support the manufacturer’s guarantee.

As W.E. Deming said,

“Without data, you are just another person with an opinion.”

Let’s explore some common myths of data integrity by looking at facts, based on a study of available resources and direct interactions with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) staff and their consultants.

 

Myth: All this regulation around data integrity is new

Data integrity has been a concern for decades. The FDA’s focus on it began with 21 CFR Part 11 in 1998. In 2003, after the pharmaceutical industry spent years struggling with the regulation, the FDA released its Scope and Application guidance, clarifying some of the requirements in Part 11. This guidance also included a discussion of the FDA’s selective enforcement strategy based on what the administration was finding during its inspections. In 2010, the FDA announced its focus on data integrity inspections. At that time, however, few people within the FDA were qualified to understand the data integrity aspects of computerised systems. Thus, beginning in 2013, data integrity has been a primary inspection point, and there has been a visible increase in data integrity enforcement across all geographies. In addition, starting in 2014, as a result of those inspections, the FDA has often included the names of hardware and software products in their warning letters and related public information documents in a less than subtle message to the hardware and software makers that the administration expects them to assist customers with data integrity and compliance concerns.

 

Myth: Data integrity is an IT issue

Success in addressing data integrity relies less on technology and more on fostering a culture, organisation, and mindset conducive to excellence. Key contributors to effective data integrity solutions include a shared vision of data integrity practices and a commitment to continuous improvement. In both paper-based and electronic systems, data integrity issues can arise, each presenting unique challenges and requiring tailored remediation strategies. Many responses to these issues overlook the possibility of such occurrences in paper-based systems, failing to conduct risk assessments or identify areas for remediation. Compliance and best practices must span data generation, transformation, maintenance, accuracy, and consistency. Cultivating the right culture, assembling capable teams, ensuring transparency in data integrity performance, and aligning company goals with data integrity objectives are all essential components of a successful data integrity initiative.

 

Myth: Only the software needs to be compliant

Software often does not comply with regulations. The software itself is inert; software contains the technical controls to support compliance with the applicable regulations. In addition to technical controls, procedural controls must also be in place. A discussion about procedural controls versus technical controls is often seen in FDA warning letters, particularly when gaps in a system’s ability to support technical controls required by various regulations have been exploited.

A standard operating procedure (SOP), used as a procedural control, can substitute for a technical control as long as:

• People are trained on that SOP

• The SOP is followed

• Adherence to the SOP is confirmed by quality oversight and/or compliance auditing

Often, however, even if SOPs exist, they are not followed, and adherence isn’t properly verified. Consequently, the FDA will demand system remediation to prevent a recurrence of the behaviour. Audit trails within computerised systems are an example of technical controls. The software must be able to generate audit trails that contain all the components the regulations require, and then those controls must be enabled.

Analytical instrument manufacturers are taking compliance and regulations into account with their products. As an example, Agilent is applying critical thinking to redesigning laboratory software to help respond to new regulatory compliance realities. Many systems may generate audit trail reports in printed form, but the new version of the Agilent OpenLAB Chromatography Data System has a built-in tool that allows a user to electronically review electronic audit trails entries. These audit trail entries are organised by type, an online review can be performed, and electronic signatures incorporated.

Chromatography Data Systems
Chromatography Data Systems

 

If data integrity regulation compliance is a necessity for your pharma lab, Chemetrix is able to provide solutions that include instruments and software that can help ensure your data is not only well managed and organised, but kept safe and generated with adherence to all the regulatory guidelines.

Data integrity problems can severely impact business operations, leading to financial losses, legal issues, and damaged reputation. It forms the foundation of for reliable pharmaceutical research, development, and manufacturing and, therefore, should be as error-free and precise as possible. It goes beyond being just a practice; data integrity is the cornerstone of trust and excellence in pharmaceutical labs, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries and lifesaving innovations.

 

A Compelling Look at Liquid Handling for Microplate Assays

Microplate assays play a crucial role in scientific research and diagnostics. By allowing researchers to perform high-throughput screenings efficiently, the method becomes essential for large-scale experiments, such as drug discovery, where thousands of compounds need to be tested rapidly.

In many microplate-based assays, there is a crucial wash step that plays a significant role in sample preparation and data accuracy.

During the wash step, the fluid (such as reagents, buffers, or unwanted substances) in the microplate well needs to be removed. This process is called aspiration. After aspiration, the microplate well is emptied of the original fluid. Now, it’s time to add a replacement fluid (e.g., a fresh buffer, a specific reagent, or a washing solution). The process of adding the replacement fluid is called dispensing.

The aspiration and dispense steps are critical for maintaining the integrity of microplate-based assays, ensuring accurate results, and optimising workflow efficiency. These labour-intensive procedures can be efficiently automated using instruments that can both wash and dispense reagents on a single hardware platform.

Complete removal or replacement of the original fluid often requires multiple iterations or cycles of aspiration and dispense. After the final aspiration of a wash protocol is completed, often the next step in the assay protocol is the addition of a specific reagent

For example, ELISA reactions are antibody-based reactions that use a series of binding reactions to quantify specific analytes. With a typical ELISA protocol, repeated cycles of microplate washing, reagent addition, and incubation are executed to add specific reagents and to remove unbound material before data collection. When performed manually, this process requires a technician to manage the timing and be available to move plates between the washer and multiple dispensers.

 

What is needed is the utility of an instrument with both washing and dispensing capabilities within the context of widely used applications.

 

The Agilent BioTek 406 FX is a modular system and is fully programmable from either its built-in touch screen or using Agilent BioTek Liquid Handling Control (LHC) software on an attached PC. The 406 FX is an automated microplate processor that can perform microplate washing steps in 96-, 384-, and 1536-well microplates. In addition to standard wash routines, the 406 FX has built-in cell-washing capabilities. An internal buffer-switching valve allows for the selection of up to four different wash buffers without changing bottles. A built-in sonicator provides the capability for automated cleaning maintenance of the dispense manifold.

Agilent BioTek 406 FX Washer Dispenser

 

There are compelling reasons for wanting to make use of a single instrument for these functions. Having both functions in one instrument reduces the need for manual intervention and minimises the time spent switching between different devices. This can improve workflow which then also improves efficiency. A single instrument saves space and is often more cost-effective than buying separate washers and dispensers. Finally, integrated liquid handlers ensure consistent aspiration and dispensing techniques across all wells. This consistency improves data quality and reduces variability.

The advantages of an instrument like Agilent BioTek 406 FX create opportunities for labs to not only improve their operations, it also allow them to offer high-quality analysis output, greater accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. Chemetrix is able to work with your lab to determine the best solution for your needs and ensure that your liquid handling requirements are fulfilled. Speak to one of our consultants today.

 

Ensuring the Sweet Integrity of Honey Quality with Randox Food Testing Solutions

Honey is a beloved golden elixir that is seeing a growing demand worldwide. As one of nature’s food wonders, this natural sweetener is big business and the international trade of honey is worth over 2 billion dollars.

Its sweet taste and myriad of health benefits mean honey holds a special place in the hearts of consumers worldwide. However, the rise in demand for this natural sweetener has led to increased instances of adulteration, where inferior or artificial substances are added to bulk up volumes or enhance appearance. The need for robust quality assurance measures has never been greater if we want to ensure the integrity of the honey industry and maintain the delicate symbiotic relationship between humans and the honey bee.

 

Honey That’s Not Quite Honey

Adulteration in honey refers to the deliberate addition of substances, such as sugar syrups or other sweeteners, to honey with the intent to deceive or manipulate its quality, composition, or appearance. This practice is often carried out to increase profits by diluting pure honey with cheaper ingredients or enhancing its colour and texture to mimic higher-quality varieties.

Adulteration can compromise the authenticity, nutritional value, and sensory attributes of honey, posing risks to consumer health and safety. Detection and prevention of adulteration are essential to maintain the integrity and reputation of honey products in the marketplace.

With a commitment to innovation, integrity, and customer satisfaction, Randox empowers producers to uphold the highest standards of purity and authenticity in their honey products, ensuring consumer trust and market success.

For producers looking to export their honey with confidence, there are solutions available for safeguarding the purity and integrity of this cherished commodity every step of the way.

 

Keeping Honey Bees Healthy

An important pillar of honey quality control is the utilisation of exposomics, a holistic framework that examines the impact of environmental exposures on human health. Exposomics is the study of the comprehensive set of environmental exposures and stressors that impact the well-being and resilience of honey bee colonies.

This approach encompasses various factors, including pesticides, pathogens, pollutants, climate change, habitat loss, and nutritional stressors, among others. By examining the complex interactions between honey bees and their environment, exposomics aims to understand the cumulative effects of these exposures on bee health, colony dynamics, and population decline. Through advanced analytical techniques and interdisciplinary research, exposomics offers insights into strategies for mitigating stressors and promoting the resilience of honey bee populations in the face of environmental challenges.

Watch our webinar on Using Exposomics to Improve Honey Bee Health here >

 

Championing Honey Integrity

As a brand that cares about global honey quality, Randox Food Testing is a beacon of reliability and excellence, offering comprehensive testing solutions and unparalleled expertise to honey producers worldwide. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions, Randox offers solutions designed to detect and prevent adulteration, ensuring the purity and authenticity of honey products.

Chemetrix equips food producers with the tools they need to safeguard their honey supply chain from farm to fork. Through advanced techniques such as the Randox Biochip Array technology through to our LC-TOF MS from Agilent Technologies, we enable producers to achieve unparalleled levels of traceability and transparency, instilling confidence in consumers and regulatory authorities alike.

This trusted name in analytical instruments understands the need for honey to remain as close to an all-natural product as possible without drug residues and other contaminants affecting its quality. That’s why their products are ideal for honey testing including antibiotics, pesticides and a range of quality tests such as sucrose, glucose/fructose, HMF and Diastase. Biochip Array Technology is ideal for the screening of multiple antimicrobials within honey, up to 54 samples in just 2 hours 30 minutes.

We also offer a variety of TOF LC/MS instruments like the Agilent 6230B TOF LC/MS. Contact one of our consultants for more information.

 

Empowering Honey Producers

There are lots of resources and educational opportunities for honey producers looking to enhance their understanding of quality assurance practices. Randox has webinars, seminars, and educational materials that offer insights into emerging trends, regulatory updates, and best practices in honey production and testing.

 

As a supplier of Randox instruments and products on the African continent, Chemetrix serves as a conduit to ensure honey producers have access to the best testing and analysis solutions available. We are committed to safeguarding the purity and integrity of this cherished commodity every step of the way and helping honey producers guarantee the quality of their products. With some of the world’s best lab equipment available, we can all be part of a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, driving excellence in honey quality control across the industry.