🖥️ Watch the Detection of Microplastics using Thermoanalytical Methods webinar to learn about which analytical approach(es) offer the best results for PFAS in the environment.

The challenges of high-volume water testing during summer

🖥️ Watch the Analysis of PFAS: Strategies to Optimise Performance webinar to learn about which analytical approach(es) offer the best results for PFAS in the environment.

📚 Download the Guide to Targeted Quantification and Screening of PFAS Compounds in Environmental Matrices Primer to explore the basics and the regulatory framework for PFAS analysis.

Agilent water testing solutions: Speed, sensitivity, and scale

Key Agilent Instruments for Water Quality Testing

• Agilent Ultivo LC/MSMS – Ideal for ultra-trace PFAS and persistent organic pollutants in drinking and environmental water. Compact yet powerful, it supports high-throughput labs with limited space.
• Agilent 6475 LC/MSMS – Offers sensitive, reproducible quantification of a wide range of contaminants in complex matrices.
• Agilent 1290 Infinity III LC System – Delivers fast, reliable chromatographic separations critical to high-throughput analysis.
• Agilent 8860 GC and Agilent 5977B GC-MSD – Combines rugged GC performance with high-sensitivity mass detection, ideal for volatile organic compound analysis.
• InfinityLab PFC-Free HPLC Conversion Kit – Helps reduce PFAS background interference for cleaner data and better detection accuracy.

Keeping communities and holidaymakers safe

Ready to modernise your water testing workflows?

✅ TL;DR – Key Takeaways

• South Africa’s festive season significantly increases demand for water testing.
• Water contamination risks rise in both drinking supplies and recreational sources.
• Agilent offers a suite of instruments for rapid, high-sensitivity testing (LC/MS, GC/MS, HPLC).
• Automation-ready workflows improve throughput and reduce manual handling.
• Accurate testing ensures public health, supports tourism, and builds trust in infrastructure.

The growing importance of Food Safety

Food safety is non-negotiable. Defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the prevention of hazards – both chronic and acute – that can harm consumer health, it forms the backbone of a trustworthy food supply chain. Hazards may include microbial contamination, pesticide residues, heavy metals, and even naturally occurring toxins, all of which can pose serious risks if left unchecked.

Food quality, while often considered alongside safety, addresses different concerns. It encompasses attributes such as flavour, texture, appearance, and even the origin of a product. While safety ensures a product is fit for consumption, quality determines its value and appeal to consumers.

For food producers, striking a balance between these two aspects is essential to building trust and maintaining competitiveness.

Why Mass Spectrometry?

Mass spectrometry has become a cornerstone of modern food safety testing, thanks to its unparalleled sensitivity, accuracy, and versatility. Unlike traditional methods, which may require separate tests for different contaminants, mass spectrometry can detect and quantify multiple analytes in a single run. This capability significantly enhances efficiency and reduces the time required for analysis – a critical advantage for laboratories handling high sample volumes.

Key Advantages of Mass Spectrometry in Food Safety

Unmatched sensitivity and precision

Mass spectrometry can detect contaminants at trace levels, often in parts per billion (ppb) or even parts per trillion (ppt). This is vital as regulatory agencies worldwide demand more stringent detection limits to protect public health.

Multi-analyte detection

With mass spectrometry, laboratories can analyse multiple contaminants simultaneously, including pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and allergens. This not only improves throughput but also reduces the cost and complexity of testing.

Simplified sample preparation

Advanced mass spectrometry systems streamline sample preparation, reducing the likelihood of human error while speeding up the testing process.

Adaptability across food matrices

From solid foods like grains and meats to liquids like milk and juices, mass spectrometry can handle diverse food matrices, making it a versatile solution for the food industry.

📚 Download the Food Safety Applications in Mass Spectrometry primer for a practical reference for applying current developments in Agilent MS technologies to food analysis: https://chemetrix.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/5989-1270EN-AGI_74_combined.pdf

Transforming Food Safety Testing

One of the most significant developments in mass spectrometry is the rise of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Historically viewed as complex and challenging to operate, ICP-MS has undergone a transformation. Modern instruments now feature user-friendly interfaces, automated optimisation, and built-in diagnostic tools, making them accessible to labs of all sizes.

ICP-MS is particularly valuable for detecting heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, which can have severe health consequences even at low concentrations. The technique’s sensitivity and specificity ensure that contaminants are accurately identified and quantified, enabling producers to meet regulatory requirements with confidence.

Another breakthrough is the integration of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). These methods are widely used for detecting pesticide residues and volatile organic compounds in food products. The combination of chromatography and mass spectrometry allows for the separation and precise identification of compounds within complex mixtures, ensuring reliable results.

📚 Download the Improving Food Safety Analysis with LC/Q-TOF compendium of application notes and explore analysis of pesticides, nontargeted screening approaches for contaminants, and food authenticity testing: https://chemetrix.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Improving_Food_Safety_Analysis-with-LC_Q-TOF-Feb2020.pdf

Addressing the challenges of a globalised food supply chain

In a globalised food economy, the complexity of supply chains adds another layer of risk. Ingredients sourced from diverse regions can introduce contaminants at various stages, making robust testing protocols indispensable. Additionally, the transportation and storage of food products can create opportunities for microbial growth or chemical alterations.

Regulatory bodies worldwide, such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have responded by tightening standards and lowering acceptable thresholds for contaminants. As a result, food manufacturers must adopt advanced technologies to stay ahead of compliance requirements.

Mass spectrometry provides the tools needed to address these challenges. Offering rapid, reliable testing, enables stakeholders to identify potential issues early in the supply chain. For example, a shipment of imported spices can be tested for pesticide residues before distribution, preventing contaminated products from reaching consumers.

Moreover, mass spectrometry supports traceability – a key component of modern food safety systems. By linking test results to specific batches or production lots, producers can quickly identify and recall affected products in the event of a safety breach. This level of accountability is essential for maintaining consumer trust and avoiding costly disruptions.

📚 Download the Multi-Residue Pesticide Analysis in Food Matrices poster to see how the screening and quantitation of 250 pesticides was done using the Agilent Ultivo Triple Quad: https://chemetrix.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Multi-Residue_Pesticide_Analysis-_Food_Matrices_Ultivo_AOAC_2017_PW044.pdf

Chemetrix: Your partner in Food Safety

Chemetrix is at the forefront of delivering advanced mass spectrometry solutions tailored to the needs of the food industry. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by producers, regulatory agencies, and testing laboratories, Chemetrix provides comprehensive support to ensure optimal performance and compliance.

Why choose Chemetrix?

• Cutting-Edge Instrumentation: Chemetrix offers state-of-the-art mass spectrometry systems, including ICP-MS, LC-MS, and GC-MS, designed for precision and efficiency.
• Expert Guidance: From installation to training and ongoing support, Chemetrix’s team of experts ensures that clients can fully leverage their technology investments.
• Tailored Solutions: Recognising that every client has unique requirements, Chemetrix works closely with stakeholders to develop customised workflows that meet their specific needs.

By partnering with Chemetrix, food producers and testing labs gain access to the tools and expertise needed to navigate the complexities of modern food safety testing with confidence.

The Future of Food Safety

As food systems evolve, so too must the methods used to ensure their safety. Mass spectrometry represents a critical step forward, offering the precision, speed, and adaptability needed to meet the challenges of an increasingly interconnected world.

For the food industry, adopting advanced testing technologies is not just about compliance – it’s about safeguarding public health, protecting brand reputation, and building trust with consumers. With partners like Chemetrix leading the way, the future of food safety is brighter, more secure, and more innovative than ever.

Designed for professionals and enthusiasts, this series will help you enhance your skills and deepen your understanding of GC and GC/MS analytical techniques. You will learn the theory of GC as well as the basics of hardware, including set-up, function, and key components.

GC, Theory and Basics

In the first of the GC and GC/MS: Theory, Maintenance, and Optimisation Webinar Series, you will learn the theory of GC as well as the basics of hardware including set-up, function and key components

Speakers

Mario Morales
Pre-Sales GC/ GC-MS Specialist
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Laurent Pascaud
Product Specialist GC & GC/MS
Agilent

GC, Preventive Maintenance And Troubleshooting

During the second part of the GC and GC/MS: Theory, Maintenance, and Optimisation Webinar Series, we will present the main preventive maintenance operation as well as how to keep your instrument up and running to its maximal capacities.

Speakers

Logan Govender
Spectroscopy Support Manager
Chemetrix

Mario Morales
Pre-Sales GC/ GC-MS Specialist
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Laurent Pascaud
Product Specialist GC & GC/MS
Agilent

Advanced Optimisation Techniques for GC Methods

Speakers

Mario Morales
Pre-Sales GC/ GC-MS Specialist
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Laurent Pascaud
Product Specialist GC & GC/MS
Agilent

GCMSD, Preventive Maintenance And Troubleshooting

Speakers

Stefan Toerien
Customer Engineer
Chemetrix

Nico Wolmarans
Application Chemist
Chemetrix

Mario Morales
Pre-Sales GC/ GC-MS Specialist
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Laurent Pascaud
Product Specialist GC & GC/MS
Agilent

Register now >

ACIES automates the labour-intensive task of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry data analysis improving efficiency in the laboratory workflow, from sampling to reporting. Agilent will integrate the technology into its MassHunter software package for LC/MS and GC/MS instruments.

Digital labs

This move by Agilent signals that the digital age is very much here for laboratories. Science has always driven the world forward and now it will do the same for laboratories.

The lab of the future is a concept built on the foundation of digitalised labs. It encompasses smart technological workflow systems that are connected and capable of collecting vast amounts of data via integrated automation.

A digitalised lab should be considered a more advanced lab as it has more access to data. With data being key to transforming science, increasing amounts of data generated in any lab, let alone a digitally connected lab, could be a game-changer – but only if it’s collected and synthesised into information and knowledge that is useful.

The digital environment (i.e., paperless work in an electronic format) capitalises on digitalisation. It incorporates all of the necessary instrumentation for complete data analysis and enables the full value of the data for decision-making. The ability to monitor operations and provide more sophisticated insights is a core reason for introducing AI into the operational lab environment.

Transforming science

Artificial intelligence (AI) is often defined as the ability of a machine to learn how to solve cognitive challenges. However, in the context of scientific methodology and laboratory interconnectivity, AI is starting to be used for capturing data to model human observation and decision-making processes.

Accessing this powerful source of information will become a necessary component of scientific productivity. This is an inevitable next step in creating lab management systems that are so efficient and provide knowledge that is so valuable that only AI will be able to produce them.

AI, coupled with universal sensing capabilities to detect and monitor a range of variables, e.g., an instrument’s power draw, enables companies to realise certain operational and financial benefits to their business and plan for the future. Through high-quality and readily available insights, AI enables the simultaneous monitoring of all equipment usage in the lab and holistic capacity tracking.

Watch our webinar on Industrialising High-Throughput Glycoproteomics Using AI for Clinical Use

Staying competitive in a competitive world

Globally, scientific innovation is accelerating, so labs need to consider the technology investments required to become digitally enabled in order to keep up and stay competitive. We live in a data-driven world, so scientific laboratories must fundamentally transform how they create, manage, and effectively use all the data that is generated in their lab ecosystem. Achieving and sustaining a competitive edge in a world of constant change will require the continual transformation of lab operations and scientific data management. This will be the first and most important step toward becoming a truly digitalised lab.

Standardising honey fingerprinting methods

Although previous work has been done developing case studies for fingerprinting foodstuffs, including honey, the approaches among laboratories have been different regarding sample preparation and instrumental conditions. There are also differences in terms of data processing and analysis. As a result, two laboratories analysing the same sample may obtain slightly different results. Ideally, developing a standardised fingerprinting method that could be used across all LC/MS-based workflows, enabling the same testing technique to be used across multiple laboratories, would be optimal and where future work is aimed.

Read our article on Fingerprinting Honey to Ensure Purity

When addressing the issues of food safety, product quality, and authenticity, each may be governed by separate sets of regulations. For example, looking at the residues of contaminants in honey, such as pesticides, there may be differences globally. Countries may have their restrictions for the maximum limit for specific compounds. Contaminants are a part of the picture when considering fingerprinting for honey, but permitted levels may vary between countries.

Additionally, as samples come from the field to the lab for testing, there is potential interest in reversing this and bringing the lab out into the field instead. This interesting but not yet recognised capability would enable regulators and the global food industry to respond more quickly to honey contamination and food fraud.

Step into the future, elevate your business and talk to our team of experts about how you can improve the productivity, efficiency and accuracy of your lab.

Speaker

In our Microplastics Symposium, hear from industry experts and peers working within the field of Microplastics.

With a mixture of live talks across various topic areas and product demonstrations, this event is a great opportunity to uncover more about microplastics analysis in the lab. We will also have our experts available to chat live on the day, allowing you to further increase your knowledge and skills on this topical issue.

What topic areas can you expect to see on the day?

• Microplastics Analysis with the 8700 LDIR with a focus on the marine environment;
• Quantification of Microplastics with GC/MSD;
• Current activities in the world of standardization;
• Microplastics Analysis with the GC/Q-TOF;
• And more.

Agenda

Register Here >