Industry events are wonderful gatherings of colleagues, peers, new potential business partners, and the scientific community that changes the world through the tools and support we’re able to provide. They’re a lot of fun and a chance to really connect with the sector to have meaningful discussions and forge productive relationships.
Businesses always consider the pros and cons of any event because, unfortunately, they aren’t free. With much consideration of budgets and strategic goals, there are various reasons why one should be a participant or perhaps why not to be part of it in any particular year. We at Chemetrix know you’ve read the title of this article and it’s true: We won’t be at analytica Lab Africa and we’d like to explain our decision.
Doing things differently
We are big fans of analytica Lab Africa as it’s the premier trade fair for the analysis, laboratory-technology and biotechnology sectors. It’s also the only event of its kind in South Africa. Lab Africa brings together scientists, entrepreneurs and users from around the world. It is the perfect platform for international business relations. In 2023, Chemetrix was an exhibitor at the event and it was a roaring success.
It is precisely because we were at the last Lab Africa that we’re choosing to not exhibit in 2025. We know the positives of the event and we’d like to try something different. Chemetrix is known for delivering tailored solutions for our valued customers. We’re not afraid to think differently and try something new when we know it can yield a positive result. So, we’re adopting a unique approach by not exhibiting.
A more personal experience
If you’re at Lab Africa 2025 and you’d still like to connect with Chemetrix, here’s what we can offer you:
A visit to our HQ: Our office is a short distance from Gallagher Convention Centre so, if you’re at Lab Africa, you’re welcome to come see us at your convenience.
One-on-one time with our experts: You can take your time and ask our knowledgeable team all the questions you may have. They’ll also be able to hear your needs and goals and offer solutions.
Product demos: We have instruments available to do demonstrations, allowing you to see them in action. It’s a front-row seat to all the state-of-the-art features and how these can benefit your lab.
Learn about our after-sales support: From training to troubleshooting, you can find out how we support your lab.
A great cup of coffee: If you need a break from Lab Africa, pop in and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and a chat.
Exciting times ahead
Although this decision not to participate in the event may be surprising, it doesn’t mean that you won’t see Chemetrix at any industry events in the future. On the contrary, we look forward to showcasing our values, our excellent customer service, and our incredible portfolio of instruments at various events in the future. We might even be at the next Lab Africa.
For this year, we have a clear plan for how we’d like to be of service and build new and greater connections. There are wonderful developments on the horizon that include new instruments, our CSI initiatives, as well as our participation in Agilent and Seeding Labs’ project to distribute pre-loved instruments to organisations who need greater instrument accessibility.
Our company continues to grow and we are thrilled to have so many young South Africans applying for roles within Chemetrix. We are also excited to see our Kenya office bring the same level of excellence into the continent that we are well-known for in Southern Africa.
Chemetrix’s door is always open
If you aren’t able to be at Analytica Lab Africa this year, you can always contact us and make an appointment with one of our team members for a time that best suits you. Our support team is always ready to assist and we continue to provide valuable resources in our Library.
It’s all part of our promise and our continued reputation to help labs grow and thrive. The time is now for Africa to see its labs and incredible scientists shine when they’ve got the instruments that can drive the business forward. And Chemetrix is the partner that will be on that journey towards great success.
For over 45 years, Chemetrix has been a trusted partner to laboratories across Southern and East Africa, providing world-class analytical instrumentation and unwavering support.
As the sole authorised distributor of Agilent Technologies’ chromatography, mass spectrometry, and spectroscopy products in the region, we deliver cutting-edge solutions tailored to your laboratory’s unique needs.
Our team of highly qualified professionals—experts in the natural, life, and applied sciences—offer comprehensive support, from technical sales to application insights. We collaborate closely with our clients, ensuring that each solution aligns with their specific objectives.
Beyond our commitment to scientific excellence, Chemetrix is dedicated to social responsibility. Since 2017, we’ve partnered with eDeaf to provide skills development for deaf youth and actively participate in the Yes4Youth initiative, addressing youth unemployment in South Africa.
Whether you’re scaling up operations, navigating regulatory complexities, or seeking to enhance efficiency, Chemetrix stands ready to support your journey.
Let’s advance science together. Connect with our team to discover how Chemetrix can elevate your laboratory’s performance.
In the pursuit of scientific advancement, access to high-quality laboratory equipment is essential. However, for many educational institutions and small research organisations, acquiring the necessary analytical instruments remains a challenge due to budget constraints. Recognising this need, Agilent Technologies has partnered with Seeding Labs, a non-profit organisation dedicated to equipping scientists in resource-limited areas with the tools they need to drive innovation. In South Africa, Chemetrix is proud to be part of this initiative, facilitating the handover of previously used Agilent instruments to deserving universities, technical colleges, and research institutions.
Seeding Labs: A catalyst for scientific growth
Seeding Labs is an award-winning nonprofit that has spent the last 15 years working to overcome a major barrier to global development: the extreme concentration of scientific capacity in just a handful of countries. Since 2008, Seeding Labs has provided scientific institutions in developing countries with access to modern lab equipment and supplies through our flagship program, Instrumental Access.
This initiative has been instrumental in bridging the global equipment gap by collecting and redistributing used but fully functional laboratory instruments to institutions that need them most. It ensures that scientists can continue their research and contribute to scientific progress regardless of financial limitations.
Agilent’s participation in this initiative underscores its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable scientific development. By donating previously used instruments, Agilent not only supports education and research but also promotes a more sustainable approach to laboratory operations by extending the lifecycle of high-quality equipment.
Chemetrix: Facilitating impactful change in South Africa
As a leading distributor of Agilent technologies in Southern Africa, Chemetrix has been entrusted with coordinating the transfer of these essential instruments to local educational and research institutions. With a deep understanding of the needs of the scientific community, Chemetrix is uniquely positioned to ensure that the right equipment reaches the right organisations, where it can have the greatest impact.
Through this initiative, Chemetrix is helping to:
Enhance STEM education: By providing universities and technical colleges with advanced analytical instruments, students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment, better preparing them for careers in science and technology.
Strengthen research capabilities: Many research institutions struggle with outdated or insufficient equipment. By receiving Agilent instruments, these institutions can conduct higher-quality research, fostering innovation and scientific breakthroughs.
Support small enterprises and startups: In addition to academic institutions, small businesses focused on analytical services and product development can benefit from access to these instruments, driving economic growth and technological advancement.
Bringing world-class technology to local institutions
The Agilent instruments being donated are meticulously refurbished and tested to ensure their reliability and performance. These include essential laboratory tools such as gas chromatographs (GC), liquid chromatographs (LC), and spectrophotometers, which are widely used in chemical analysis, environmental testing, pharmaceutical development, and food safety testing.
For a university chemistry lab, an Agilent GC system could mean the difference between theoretical learning and practical application. For a research institute working on climate change, an LC system could be the key to analysing environmental pollutants with precision. For a startup developing new pharmaceuticals, these instruments could accelerate drug discovery and testing, providing the foundation for innovation.
A sustainable and inclusive approach to scientific advancement
This collaboration between Agilent, Seeding Labs, and Chemetrix is more than just an instrument donation programme; it represents a long-term investment in scientific capability and education. By repurposing high-quality analytical instruments, the programme not only empowers the next generation of scientists but also supports sustainability by reducing electronic waste and extending the usability of valuable equipment.
Chemetrix’s involvement ensures that the process is efficient, transparent, and tailored to the specific needs of local institutions. With its strong network and expertise, Chemetrix is playing a vital role in ensuring that the donated equipment is deployed effectively, maximising its impact across various scientific disciplines.
Looking ahead: The future of science in South Africa
The demand for skilled scientists and researchers continues to grow, and initiatives like this play a crucial role in developing a well-equipped workforce. By facilitating the donation of Agilent’s previously used instruments, Chemetrix is helping South African institutions build state-of-the-art laboratories, enhance research capabilities, and produce graduates who are ready to contribute to the global scientific community.
As this initiative expands, Chemetrix remains committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, sustainability, and scientific excellence. By supporting education and research, Agilent, Seeding Labs, and Chemetrix are ensuring that innovation is not limited by geography or resources, but instead driven by curiosity, dedication, and access to the right tools.
For more information on how your institution can benefit from this initiative, contact us today.
Fluorescence microscopy has become an indispensable tool in cell biology, offering researchers unparalleled insights into the inner workings of cells. By leveraging fluorescent molecules to label cellular components, this technology enables scientists to visualise intricate processes in real-time, from protein interactions to dynamic changes in cell architecture. Despite its transformative impact, fluorescence microscopy comes with its own set of challenges, such as balancing image quality with meaningful data acquisition and overcoming technical limitations.
In recent years, advancements in fluorescence microscopy have revolutionised the way scientists approach biological research. These developments are not only enhancing imaging capabilities but also expanding the range of applications for fluorescence microscopy. With cutting-edge tools and expertise, companies like Chemetrix are playing a pivotal role in helping researchers navigate the complexities of this powerful technology.
The significance of Fluorescence Microscopy
At its core, fluorescence microscopy relies on the emission of light from fluorophores to illuminate specific structures or molecules within a cell. This approach has revolutionised cell biology by providing researchers with the ability to study live cells with minimal interference. Applications span numerous fields, including cancer research, neuroscience, and developmental biology. Researchers can now observe molecular interactions, track cell migration, and analyse gene expression with unprecedented detail.
For example, in cancer research, fluorescence microscopy is instrumental in understanding tumour biology, allowing scientists to monitor the behaviour of cancer cells under different conditions.
In neuroscience, this technology facilitates the study of synaptic connections, shedding light on how neurons communicate. Similarly, in developmental biology, fluorescence microscopy provides real-time insights into how cells differentiate and organise to form tissues and organs.
The versatility of fluorescence microscopy is further enhanced when combined with other advanced imaging techniques. For instance, confocal microscopy can be used alongside fluorescence imaging to enhance spatial resolution, enabling researchers to create detailed three-dimensional reconstructions of cellular structures. The ability to overlay fluorescence imaging with techniques like electron microscopy or live-cell imaging adds another layer of complexity, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of biological phenomena.
Recent advancements are transforming the field of fluorescence microscopy, addressing longstanding issues such as poor signal-to-noise ratios, photobleaching, and spatial resolution limitations.
Super-resolution microscopy techniques like STED (stimulated emission depletion) and PALM (photoactivated localisation microscopy) have overcome the diffraction limit of light, enabling imaging at nanometre-scale resolutions.
This has opened new avenues for studying subcellular structures and processes, such as the organisation of protein complexes or the dynamics of intracellular transport.
Another area of innovation lies in the design of advanced fluorophores. These newer molecules exhibit greater photostability, brighter fluorescence, and reduced phototoxicity, ensuring that prolonged imaging sessions yield consistent and reliable results. Fluorophores such as quantum dots and near-infrared dyes are also expanding the toolkit available to researchers, allowing for multiplexed imaging of multiple targets within the same sample.
Technological advancements in optics and computational imaging have also had a profound impact. Adaptive optics systems are now widely used to correct for distortions caused by biological samples, while machine learning algorithms assist in denoising images and extracting meaningful data from complex datasets. These innovations not only improve the quality of imaging but also enhance the efficiency of data analysis, making fluorescence microscopy more accessible and practical for everyday research.
Despite these innovations, researchers face several challenges in fluorescence microscopy that require careful consideration.
One major issue is the trade-off between image quality and biological relevance. While brighter fluorophores and longer exposure times can enhance image clarity, they also increase the risk of phototoxicity, which can damage live cells and distort experimental outcomes.
Striking the right balance between obtaining clear images and preserving cellular integrity remains a delicate task.
Another challenge is the potential for artefacts introduced by fluorescent labelling. Overloading samples with fluorophores can interfere with natural cellular processes, leading to skewed data. Researchers must carefully optimise labelling protocols to ensure that fluorescence signals accurately represent biological phenomena without disrupting the system being studied.
Additionally, fluorescence microscopy generates massive amounts of data, particularly when used for time-lapse imaging or high-throughput studies. Managing and analysing these datasets require sophisticated computational tools and storage solutions. For researchers who lack access to such resources, extracting actionable insights from their experiments can be an overwhelming task.
Recognising these challenges, Chemetrix goes beyond providing state-of-the-art microscopy equipment. The company positions itself as a trusted knowledge partner, offering researchers the tools, training, and expertise needed to maximise the potential of fluorescence microscopy.
Chemetrix works closely with labs to select the right imaging platforms tailored to their specific research needs. Whether a lab requires high-throughput imaging systems for drug discovery or advanced super-resolution microscopes for cellular studies, Chemetrix ensures that researchers have access to the best technologies available. We are proud to distribute a variety of Agilent’s Biotek and xCELLigence instruments.
Equally important is the company’s focus on training and education. Chemetrix provides support to help researchers and technicians develop the skills required to operate advanced imaging systems effectively. By demystifying the complexities of fluorescence microscopy, these training initiatives empower users to overcome technical barriers and achieve reliable results.
Chemetrix also keeps researchers informed about the latest innovations in fluorescence microscopy, bridging the gap between technological advancements and practical applications. From introducing labs to cutting-edge fluorophore designs to offering guidance on data analysis workflows, the company ensures that African laboratories remain at the forefront of global research trends.
Fluorescence microscopy continues to be a cornerstone of cell biology, providing researchers with unparalleled insights into the molecular mechanisms that drive life. Innovations in imaging technology, from super-resolution microscopy to advanced fluorophore design, are expanding the horizons of what can be achieved. However, challenges such as phototoxicity, artefact management, and data analysis underscore the need for expert guidance and robust support systems.
By offering state-of-the-art tools, tailored training, and ongoing expertise, Chemetrix empowers researchers to navigate the complexities of fluorescence microscopy with confidence. Through its commitment to advancing scientific discovery, Chemetrix plays a vital role in enabling breakthroughs that shape our understanding of biology and improve human health.
In today’s fast-paced scientific landscape, laboratories are under growing pressure to deliver faster, more accurate results while grappling with resource constraints. Lab automation is emerging as a transformative solution, offering a path to increased productivity and efficiency across a variety of industries, from healthcare and pharmaceuticals to environmental testing. Chemetrix is at the forefront of this transformation, equipping African laboratories with state-of-the-art automated solutions to meet rising demands.
What Is Lab Automation?
Lab automation refers to the use of advanced technologies to streamline and optimise laboratory processes. This involves replacing or augmenting manual tasks – such as sample preparation, analysis, and data management – with automated systems that work with greater speed, precision, and consistency.
Key components of lab automation include:
Robotic systems for tasks like pipetting and liquid handling.
Software solutions to manage workflows, collect data, and ensure compliance.
Integrated instruments that combine multiple steps into a single, seamless process.
By automating repetitive or labour-intensive tasks, laboratories can redirect human expertise towards higher-value activities, such as data interpretation and problem-solving.
The benefits of Lab Automation
Enhanced productivity
Automation enables laboratories to process significantly larger volumes of samples in less time. For instance, an automated liquid handling system can perform hundreds of pipetting tasks in the time it would take a technician to complete just a fraction manually.
Improved accuracy and consistency
Human error is a significant concern in manual lab work, especially for processes requiring extreme precision. Automated systems minimise variability, ensuring consistent and reproducible results across large datasets.
Cost efficiency
While the initial investment in automation technology can be substantial, the long-term benefits include reduced labour costs, minimised waste, and faster turnaround times, all of which contribute to overall cost savings.
Data management and integration
Automation often comes with software platforms that streamline data acquisition, storage, and analysis. These systems not only ensure regulatory compliance but also provide actionable insights that drive decision-making.
Flexibility and scalability
Modern automation tools are highly adaptable, allowing labs to scale operations as demand increases or shift workflows to accommodate new research priorities.
Lab automation is making a significant impact across various domains, offering tailored solutions to meet specific challenges. In clinical diagnostics, automation has revolutionised workflows by enabling high-throughput testing for complex panels, such as infectious diseases or genetic screening. This capability proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic, as diagnostic laboratories were inundated with unprecedented sample volumes. Pharmaceutical research also benefits from automation, particularly in drug discovery processes.
Automated high-throughput screening allows researchers to test thousands of compounds efficiently, expediting the identification of viable drug candidates and accelerating their path to market.
Environmental testing is another area experiencing profound benefits from automation. Laboratories tasked with monitoring water quality or detecting contaminants rely on automated systems for streamlined sampling and analysis. These tools ensure compliance with regulatory standards while maintaining operational efficiency. Similarly, the food safety sector has adopted automation to enhance pathogen detection and allergen testing, ensuring both consumer safety and product quality. By addressing the unique demands of each sector, lab automation is enabling laboratories to deliver reliable, timely results across diverse applications.
Trends Shaping Lab Automation
Emerging trends in lab automation highlight how technology is reshaping traditional workflows to create smarter, more efficient laboratories. One key trend is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into automated systems. AI enables advanced data analysis and predictive modelling, helping labs process vast datasets more effectively while identifying subtle patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. For instance, AI can optimise experimental designs or predict equipment failures, ensuring seamless operations.
Miniaturisation and microfluidics also play a transformative role. Technologies like lab-on-a-chip systems allow laboratories to perform complex assays on a much smaller scale, reducing reagent use and waste while enhancing analytical precision. These compact systems are particularly advantageous for laboratories with limited resources or space.
Additionally, the rise of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has facilitated remote monitoring and control of laboratory equipment. This capability not only boosts productivity but also enhances safety by reducing the need for physical intervention in potentially hazardous environments.
Together, these advancements reflect the dynamic nature of lab automation, equipping laboratories with the tools to tackle future challenges while pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation.
Chemetrix is committed to empowering laboratories across Africa with cutting-edge automation solutions. By offering advanced technologies tailored to the unique challenges of the region, we help labs optimise productivity, maintain accuracy, and meet growing demands.
Our portfolio includes a wide range of automated instruments and platforms, from liquid handlers and robotic workstations to integrated systems for high-throughput screening. Beyond providing equipment, Chemetrix offers comprehensive support, including training, maintenance, and software integration, ensuring clients can fully harness the benefits of lab automation.
Lab automation is not just a trend; it is a necessity for modern laboratories aiming to stay competitive in a demanding scientific landscape. By automating key processes, labs can achieve unparalleled levels of productivity, precision, and scalability. With Chemetrix as a partner, laboratories in Africa are well-equipped to embrace the future of science, leveraging innovative technologies to drive progress and deliver impactful results.
While it can seem like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a fancy tool only applicable in certain industries, AI is closer to you than you might think. From social media to your streaming service, AI processes are assisting with data processing and management in all sorts of innovative ways.
As the modern lab continues to evolve, AI adoption is becoming more commonplace. The increasing demand for accuracy but also shorter turnaround times has laboratories seeking technological and often digital solutions to help them achieve their business and operational goals. Lab analysts needn’t fear, AI isn’t coming for their jobs, but what it can do is support the work of lab staff to boost efficiency and ensure that quality control is optimised.
Quality assurance in labs
The quality assurance processes in labs are all about ensuring that the laboratory’s procedures, data analysis and results are of the highest quality. Without good quality assurance, there is a far higher probability of errors which can affect the results delivered. This can have a direct effect on product research and development, the development of environmental management solutions, and the manufacturing of products.
In testing labs, the integrity of samples is paramount in the quality assurance process. A good quality assurances process will make sure the samples aren’t compromised, which can lead to costly setbacks. Of course, good quality assurance means that the results from the lab can be trusted and they are reproducible. As laboratories seek to build strong relationships between themselves and stakeholders, good quality assurance provides quantitative and qualitative evidence of why the lab can be trusted.
Finally, safety also forms part of lab quality assurance. The process should make sure all the equipment is functioning properly and that proper procedures are documented and followed for handling samples, hazardous materials, and chemicals. By doing this, labs can prevent minor accidents that could lead to bigger safety risks.
Levelling up with AI for QA
AI opens a world of possibilities for the modern laboratory. Because of the big volumes of data and frequent tests and analyses, labs can benefit quite a lot from AI and machine learning. Traditional lab operations often involve repetitive and time-consuming tasks such as data backups, data review, and preliminary analysis. By automating these tasks, AI allows scientists to focus on higher-value activities such as experimental design, interpretation of results, and innovation.
In terms of quality assurance, there are a few key benefits from utilising AI:
Greater speed without greater risk of errors – The speed at which data can be processed and reviewed using AI significantly reduces the overall time required to complete experiments and projects. This acceleration in the workflow is crucial for meeting tight deadlines and maintaining competitive edges in research and development. Furthermore, AI’s ability to quickly analyse vast amounts of data helps in identifying trends and anomalies that might be missed by human reviewers. This enhances the accuracy and consistency of repetitive tasks, ensuring that data is reliable and free from human error.
Cost management – Automation of tasks is one of the big advantages of AI and this can assist with cost management by potentially reducing overtime or weekend work hours, which aids operational costs. The resources saved from routine tasks can be allocated to more strategic investments and research, and this includes the brain power of key laboratory staff. Laboratories can also expand their capabilities without a proportional increase in manual workload and this assists labs in scaling their operations up without greater cost pressure.
Optimise resources – AI systems can do real-time monitoring of experiments and equipment to provide immediate feedback should a problem arise. It also means staff don’t have to be in the lab watching over the analytical instruments all the time, particularly if it requires hours before there are results and they could monitor the process remotely. This improves safety and resource management. AI can also assist with efficient resource management to reduce waste and lower the overall environmental impact while simultaneously checking instruments for preventative maintenance.
Labs looking to the future finding success now
Chemetrix is proud to be a local supplier of Agilent innovation. Agilent is on the forefront of leveraging software to fuel lab productivity – testing and proving the value of AI in day-to-day operations. This world-leading brand is seeing results from labs that are testing the integration of AI into their operations.
In pilot testing, data review, a task that used to take nearly an hour to complete, was reduced to a few minutes, using AI capabilities. This type of efficiency gain in any lab would boost productivity and allow scientists to focus on more complex and high-value tasks. This type of result underscores the potential of AI to revolutionise lab operations, making them more efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality.
“Quality control labs rely on analytics to ensure product safety. We’re using new, exciting software approaches to enable faster, more efficient, and more accurate results.” – Tom Lillig, VP, GM, Agilent Software Informatics Division
We want scientists and researchers to dedicate the majority of their valuable time to critical thinking and complex problem-solving. So, embrace the power of technology and boost the efficiency of labs by offloading repetitive and mundane tasks to AI. Whether its through software or through instrument monitoring, there are different ways labs and their quality assurance processes can be improved through artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance research, product development, and analysis now and in the future.
Biotherapeutics development requires accurate and robust analytical testing methodologies with dependable separations. Agilent is committed to the biopharmaceutical market and has the initiative to leverage the entire product portfolio, application-specific total workflow solutions, and global presence to deliver the support customers rely on to make trusted decisions. As a trusted supplier of Agilent solutions in Africa, Chemetrix is proud to see customers thrive and advance in their research and development.
With biopharma continuing to grow, there are challenges that naturally arise as part of the sector’s evolution. Here, we explain how Agilent’s products address customer pain points including poor reproducibility and difficulties with instrumentation and methods, with insights from Padraig McDonnell, executive vice president and general manager for the Chemistries and Supplies Division at Agilent Technologies.
The future of biopharmaceuticals looks promising with life-changing treatments, and the field keeps growing, powered by innovative groundbreaking therapies to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. Advancing these novel biotherapeutics safely in the clinic requires reliable manufacturing and quality control processes.
The complexity of biopharma development
The complex heterogeneous nature of biotherapeutics requires accurate and robust analytical testing methodologies with dependable chromatographic separations. Identifying critical quality attributes (i.e., impurities that could impact the product safety and efficacy) is the most difficult step in the implementation of a Quality by Design approach for biopharmaceutical development and production. Defining each product attribute is extremely challenging. Therefore, consistency of product quality becomes even more important.
Some of the key challenges in biopharma development are accuracy, robustness, and reproducibility of the data. It all comes down to speed and efficiency of the workflow. It is important to recognise that several analytical techniques are used as part of a workflow solution. This includes sample preparation, separation detection, and data analysis. Each part of the workflow must work seamlessly with the other components to ensure trusted answers.
Reproducibility is a cornerstone of scientific research, ensuring that results can be consistently replicated to validate findings and advance knowledge. Several factors contribute to this issue, including variability in biological samples, inconsistencies in experimental procedures, and limitations in analytical techniques. Known for their precision and sensitivity, Agilent’s mass spectrometry systems deliver highly reproducible results, essential for accurate biomolecule analysis.
Liquid chromatography is another critical technique in the biopharma and biotherapeutics industries, used extensively for the separation, identification, and quantification of complex biological samples. However, achieving consistent and reproducible results can be challenging due to the complexity and variability of these samples.
Agilent offers a wide range of high-performance LC columns tailored for different applications, ensuring optimal separation of complex biomolecules. These columns are designed to provide high resolution and reproducibility, crucial for accurate quantification.
The systems are equipped with highly sensitive detectors, such as UV, PDA, fluorescence, and mass spectrometry detectors. These detectors provide accurate quantification and detection of analytes at low concentrations, enhancing reproducibility.
Getting the workflow right
With great instruments comes great software. Agilent’s data analysis software integrates seamlessly with their instruments, offering powerful tools for data processing, visualisation, and interpretation. This integration helps ensure that data is accurately analysed and reproducible. These software solutions are designed to maintain data integrity and comply with regulatory standards, supporting reproducibility and reliability in research and development.
Regular customer contact and integrating the voice of customer is really critical to us. It gives us exceptional insight into the scientific challenges our customers face. These insights enable Agilent to put an intentional focus on biopharma, as we continue to develop new products and services that help our customers. Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork have enabled us to deliver new products and workflow solutions that better address customer analytical needs.
The biopharma and biotherapeutics industries face significant challenges related to reproducibility and instrumentation. Chemetrix can assist labs in addressing these pain points with innovative products from Agilent Technologies and comprehensive support, enhancing reproducibility, simplifying instrument operation, and ensuring reliable results. By leveraging advanced analytical instruments solutions, biopharma and biotherapeutics professionals can overcome these challenges, accelerating their research and development efforts and ultimately contributing to the advancement of healthcare.
This article includes information and text originally published by Agilent Technologies
Laboratories, often associated with high energy consumption and waste production, are under pressure to adopt more sustainable practices. As the world increasingly focuses on sustainability, the scientific community has a significant role to play. It’s not only about the research to help guide the world on how to be more environmentally conscious, it’s also about labs themselves being more environmentally responsible and setting the example.
Agilent Technologies, a leader in life sciences and diagnostics, has been at the forefront of the movement in the scientific community. Recently, Agilent won two sustainability awards, underscoring their commitment to environmentally friendly lab instruments. This recognition raises an important question:
Why are sustainable lab instruments important, and how can we verify their environmental friendliness?
How sustainable is your lab
It’s no surprise that high energy consumption, extensive use of water and chemicals, and generation of hazardous waste gives labs a significant environmental impact. Labs can consume three to ten times more energy than office buildings due to the operation of energy-intensive equipment and the need for stringent climate control. This substantial environmental footprint underscores the importance of adopting sustainable practices and technologies to mitigate these impacts and promote a more eco-friendly approach to scientific research.
There are regulatory compliance, legislative and business operation reasons why labs are trying to change their environmental impact. A sustainable lab can reduce its operating costs and optimise its resources. Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability can enhance a lab’s reputation and fulfil corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals. Finally, sustainable practices often involve the use of safer materials and chemicals, reducing potential health risks for lab personnel.
Look at your lab’s instruments
One area of lab operations that needs focus for sustainability is the analytical instruments. Environmentally conscious product design is a central feature of Agilent’s business. Their instruments are engineered to improve sustainability in a holistic way — from product design and manufacturing to usage and disposal.
At the 2023 Sustainability Scientists’ Choice awards, Agilent won Sustainable Supplier of the Year and Sustainable Product of the Year. The Agilent Cary 3500 Flexible UV-Vis Spectrophotometer also received the award for Sustainable Product of the Year in the reducing consumables and reagents category. The Cary 3500 Flexible UV-Vis is a double-beam spectrophotometer with superior photometric performance. This instrument is also ACT label accredited, demonstrating a commitment to environmentally responsible practices and adherence to sustainability standards.
The ACT (Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency) Label is a recognised standard for evaluating the environmental impact of laboratory products. Managed by My Green Lab, a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the sustainability of scientific research, the ACT Label provides transparent information on the environmental impact of lab products throughout their lifecycle. The ACT Label assesses factors such as energy consumption, water usage, end-of-life disposal, packaging, and manufacturing impact. By providing detailed information on a product’s environmental impact, the ACT Label helps labs choose products that align with their sustainability goals.
Quick note: Agilent’s My Green Lab initiative is another significant effort to promote sustainability in laboratories. This program focuses on integrating sustainable practices into everyday lab operations and product design.
Making an eco-choice
At Chemetrix, we are asked why labs should choose sustainable instruments and consumables. It’s because sustainable products offer:
Durability and reliability: Sustainable products are often designed for longevity, reducing the frequency of replacements and associated waste.
Future-proofing: As regulations become stricter, investing in sustainable products ensures compliance with future environmental standards, protecting labs from potential legal and financial penalties.
Enhanced performance: Sustainable products often incorporate the latest technologies and innovations, leading to improved performance and efficiency.
Reducing the environmental impact of labs is going beyond turning down the air-conditioning and switching to recyclable consumables. It’s a paradigm shift for the lab as a whole, with the employees committing to do as much as possible to achieve the lab’s sustainability goals. As the scientific community continues to prioritise sustainability, the adoption of environmentally friendly lab instruments will be integral to advancing both scientific research and environmental stewardship.
The cannabis industry is rapidly evolving, and with it comes a multitude of opportunities and challenges. The South African cannabis industry is also booming, driven by increasing demand for both medicinal and recreational cannabis products. Companies are developing various cannabis products, including oils, tinctures, and edibles. But this also means, as cannabis becomes more accepted and regulated, the need for accurate testing services grows.
A common misconception is that the sector is a straightforward cash cow for businesses, particularly in the realm of cannabis testing.
With regulatory requirements mandating thorough testing and the potential for high-profit margins, it might seem like a low-risk venture. However, newcomers should be cautious of pitfalls that can derail less experienced operators.
Quality in cannabis analysis
One of the most critical aspects of succeeding in cannabis testing is recognising the importance of quality. Setting up a laboratory with a strong emphasis on quality is not merely a regulatory necessity but a cornerstone for running a successful business. Quality in this context involves ensuring equipment reliability, accuracy and timeliness of results, staff training, reagent preparation, and method validation. By prioritising these elements, laboratories can minimise errors, enhance their industry standing, and build a solid reputation with customers.
Implementing a robust quality management system (QMS) is central to the operation of a high-functioning cannabis testing laboratory. A well-executed QMS produces high-quality, traceable data that stands up to audits and can be scrutinised if complaints arise. This system should be an ongoing effort to refine documentation practices, reduce errors, and improve testing processes.
Part of quality management is implementing the most effective methods for testing. eMethods are designed to accelerate your startup time by condensing the vast amounts of technical information and optimised analytical methods into a ready-to-run, downloadable, digital information package. What’s even better is that Agilent has done the hard work for everyone by creating eMethods that provides information on the instrument configuration, consumables, and Sample Preparation Protocols. eMethods also provide analytical methods for sample introduction, chromatographic separation, detection, and data analysis.
Compared to starting from scratch, an eMethod gives your lab a head start and gives you tips and tricks for best practices across all aspects of your workflow. If your lab is testing for pesticide residue, for example, an eMethod supplies the method for the separations and reliable detection of 72 pesticides and 5 mycotoxins in under 8 minutes.
Of course, you need great analytical instruments on which to run those methods. For new labs or labs moving into cannabis testing, it’s worthwhile to explore the latest technology in instruments. There’s great interest in ICP-MS which enables the analysis of trace metals in complex samples. As an example, The Agilent 7900 ICP-MS system helps you screen for target compounds in complex matrices – all within a single analysis. There are important questions to ask of an instrument supplier like Chemetrix when looking at the instruments for cannabis testing, like if sample types are measured, calculating the eventual cost per sample, if the software suits the instruments, and what technical support is offered. Chemetrix is able to provide confident answers to all these questions and more.
The profitability of cannabis testing hinges on rapid sample turnaround and result delivery. However, the complexity of test requirements is increasing. To maintain quality and gain a competitive edge, labs must embrace digital transformation and adopt more efficient, accurate, automated, and scalable testing methods. Despite this, many cannabis testing labs still rely on manual processes, which are often error-prone, limited, tedious, risky, and slow.
Modernising with Agilent SLIMS addresses these issues, allowing labs to maximise the number of Certificates of Analysis (COAs) produced daily without compromising data quality. This capability enables labs to maximise revenue and scale operations with minimal risk. By reducing errors and enhancing efficiency, SLIMS helps labs meet regulatory requirements and customer expectations more effectively.
Along with great quality management software, Chemetrix is also able to offer testing solutions to laboratories within the cannabis industry. Chemetrix understands the demands of the production and manufacturing environments as well as the fact that cannabis is an emerging sector with smaller, more entrepreneurial labs coming to the fore. To help these labs grow, it’s important to find the right solutions that offer great return on investment and guarantee the highest levels of accuracy, efficiency, and data quality. Speak to our expert team to find out how Chemetrix can help your lab achieve its goals and learn more about our cannabis testing solution.
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:
Nutrition — ensuring the required nutritional value of milk is present in its products.
Safety — confirming the absence of suspected harmful chemicals in milk.
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).
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.
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.
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, theAgilent 8890 GCand 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.
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.
