Here’s what most food testing labs don’t realise: the perceived complexity of coupling HPLC to ICP-MS is largely a myth. With the right hardware and software integration, what seems like a daunting technical challenge becomes a routine workflow that delivers results in under two minutes per sample.

Why toxic element speciation matters

Not all arsenic is created equal. Total arsenic measurements tell you how much is present, but they don’t tell you the critical part: is it toxic? Inorganic arsenic (the sum of arsenite As(III) and arsenate As(V)) is significantly more toxic than organic arsenic compounds like arsenobetaine found naturally in seafood. This is why regulations specify limits for inorganic arsenic rather than total arsenic. A rice cereal might contain arsenic, but if it’s all organic forms, the health risk is minimal. If it’s inorganic arsenic, even at low concentrations, it poses a developmental risk
to infants.

The same principle applies to other toxic elements. Cadmium accumulates in rice grown in contaminated soil. Lead and mercury, even at trace levels, affect neurological development in children. The US House of Representatives report in February 2021 found that many baby foods sold in supermarkets contained unacceptably high concentrations of these elements.

This is where speciation analysis becomes critical. HPLC separates different chemical forms of arsenic before ICP-MS detects them. By oxidising As(III) to As(V) during sample preparation, the analysis simplifies to measuring one peak representing total inorganic arsenic. The chromatographic separation happens in under two minutes, the ICP-MS provides sensitivity down to parts per billion and labs can confidently determine whether a food product meets regulatory limits.Food testing labs aren’t just generating data. They’re protecting the most vulnerable consumers: babies, infants and young children whose developing bodies are most susceptible to toxic element exposure.

Image credit: Institut für Analytische Chemie Universität Wien

The integration that changes everything

The breakthrough isn’t in the HPLC or the ICP-MS individually. Both instruments are well known in the industry for performance and robustness. The efficiency gain comes from how they work together. Agilent developed an optimised interface that physically couples the Agilent 1260 Inifinity III HPLC to both the 8900 ICP-QQQ and 7850 ICP-MS systems. But the real innovation is software integration. The entire coupled system is set up and operated from the ICP-MS MassHunter software. One interface. One method. Automated analysis.

Single software control means analysts don’t toggle between platforms or manually synchronise instrument parameters. Method development happens in one place.

Stable hardware coupling removes the guesswork from connecting instruments. The optimised interface ensures consistent sample transfer without leaks, dead volume or carryover issues.

Reduced setup time transforms HPLC-ICP-MS from a specialist technique into a routine capability. Labs new to speciation analysis can implement the method without extensive troubleshooting.

Fast 2-minute runs change the economics of compliance testing. When analysing inorganic arsenic requires 10+ minutes per sample using conventional columns, labs face real capacity constraints. At 2 minutes per sample, the same instrument processes five times the volume.

The 7850 ICP-MS adds practical features that matter for real-world food matrices. Ultra High Matrix Introduction (UHMI) handles samples with high dissolved solids without constant maintenance. The IntelliQuant function provides instant visibility into total matrix composition. And helium collision mode addresses spectral interferences without complex method optimisation.

Food safety compliance made routine

The US Baby Food Safety Act 2021 proposes maximum levels of 10-15 ppb inorganic arsenic depending on whether products are cereal-based. The FDA’s Closer to Zero plan phases in action levels for lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury through 2024 and beyond. EU regulations specify limits for inorganic arsenic in rice between 0.1-0.3 mg/kg.

These aren’t aspirational targets. They’re enforceable limits that require labs to deliver accurate, defensible results.

The Agilent 1260 HPLC coupled to the Agilent 8900 ICP-QQQ provides the sensitivity and speed food testing labs need. The 8900 offers detection limits of 1.99 µg/kg for solid samples and 0.08 µg/L for liquid samples, well below regulatory action levels. The method complies with FDA Elemental Analysis Manual sections 4.7 and 4.11, as well as European standards EN16802:2016 and prEN17374:2019.

Real-world validation across baby foods, rice cereals, beverages and animal feed demonstrates recoveries between 82-111% with precision from 0.3-9.4% RSD.

📚 LEARN MORE: Application Note: Analysis of Inorganic Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead and Mercury in Baby Foods by ICP-MS (5994-3713EN)

Agilent 1260 Infinity III LC System

Agilent 7850 ICP-MS

High-throughput screening for production environments

Food manufacturers testing ingredients before use or finished products before release face a different challenge. They need screening capability that keeps pace with production schedules. Samples can’t wait days for results. Backlogs mean inventory sitting in quarantine.

The Agilent 1260 HPLC coupled to the Agilent 7850 ICP-MS delivers the throughput production labs require. The 7850 combines proven hardware with software features that simplify workflow for analysts who may be new to ICP-MS or new to Agilent systems. The 7850’s 10 orders of magnitude linear dynamic range means major and trace analytes are measured in a single run. No over-range failures. No sample reruns. The system processes samples with per cent-level total dissolved solids thanks to UHMI technology as standard.

For inorganic arsenic screening in rice cereals, the fast HPLC-ICP-MS method reduces analysis time from over 10 minutes to under 2 minutes. The short anion exchange column, optimised mobile phase and small injection volumes maintain baseline separation of inorganic arsenic from organic species without compromising resolution.

📚 LEARN MORE: Application Note: Fast Determination of Inorganic Arsenic in Food and Animal Feed by HPLC-ICP-MS (5994-1642EN)

There’s a pervasive mindset in many labs that complexity is just part of the job. That coupling instruments will always be difficult. That fast methods sacrifice accuracy. That meeting new regulatory limits requires hiring specialists or sending samples to reference labs.

Chemetrix rejects this narrative. Labs shouldn’t have to choose between speed and accuracy. They shouldn’t accept that advanced techniques are only accessible to experts. And they absolutely shouldn’t operate under the assumption that their current capabilities define their future possibilities.

This is where partnership matters. Chemetrix doesn’t just supply instruments. We advocate for a scientific culture grounded in integrity, accuracy and respect for the people doing the work. When we say the Agilent HPLC-ICP-MS coupling is easier than labs think, we’re not minimising the science. We’re affirming that with the right tools and support, routine labs can deliver extraordinary results.

The optimised interface, integrated software control and proven application methods aren’t just technical specifications. They’re a commitment to removing barriers between labs and the capabilities they need.

Conclusion

Toxic element analysis in food doesn’t have to be the bottleneck in your lab. The perceived complexity of HPLC-ICP-MS coupling dissolves when hardware and software are designed to work together from the start.

Ready to transform your toxic element analysis workflow?

Download the application notes for baby food and rice cereal analysis to see validated methods and real-world results. Contact Chemetrix to discuss how fast HPLC-ICP-MS screening can eliminate testing bottlenecks in your facility.

Food safety depends on labs that can deliver accurate results quickly. With the right partnership and the right tools, your lab can be exactly that kind of asset.

Contact Chemetrix today to discuss your toxic element analysis challenges and discover solutions designed for your reality.

✅ TL;DR – Key Takeaways

• HPLC-ICP-MS coupling is simpler than most labs assume when using integrated Agilent systems
• 2-minute analysis times for inorganic arsenic deliver 5x throughput vs conventional methods
• Detection limits well below regulatory action levels ensure compliance confidence
• Single software control reduces setup complexity and streamlines daily operation

Chemetrix is thrilled to announce the expansion of our portfolio with the latest state-of-the-art instruments from Agilent Technologies. These cutting-edge additions are set to revolutionise laboratory workflows, offering unparalleled performance, efficiency, and reliability.

Agilent 8850 GC system: Compact yet powerful

The Agilent 8850 Gas Chromatograph (GC) System is a game-changer for laboratories seeking high performance in a compact design. Tailored for single-channel applications, the 8850 GC is ideal for routine analyses in environmental, food, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Key Features:

• Compact design: Occupying minimal bench space, the 8850 GC is perfect for laboratories with space constraints.
• Rapid heating: Equipped with a direct heating oven, it ensures swift temperature ramping, significantly reducing analysis time.
• User-friendly interface: The intuitive touchscreen interface simplifies operation, making it accessible even for users with minimal GC experience.
• Energy efficiency: Designed with energy conservation in mind, the 8850 GC consumes less power, contributing to sustainable laboratory practices.

By integrating the 8850 GC into your laboratory, you can expect enhanced throughput, reduced operational costs, and reliable results, making it an invaluable asset for routine GC analyses.

From monitoring air and water quality to detecting contaminants in soil, environmental laboratories require highly sensitive instrumentation. The 8850 GC is an excellent solution for testing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and pollutants in environmental samples. It also offers fast and reliable results for characterising crude oil, gas composition, and refining processes for the petrochemical industry and precise analysis of hydrocarbons, fuels, and lubricants.

🖥️ Watch the GC Method Development from Beginner to Expert webinar to discuss what to consider, where to start, and what to optimise – focusing on inlet parameters, column selection, and oven programming. >

Agilent Infinity III LC series: A new era of liquid chromatography

Agilent’s Infinity III LC Series is engineered to meet the demands of modern laboratories, providing increased precision, reliability, and flexibility. With new features that enhance workflow efficiency, the Infinity III LC Series sets a new standard for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC).

Key Features:

• Optimised system performance: The Infinity III LC Series offers improved pressure resilience, higher flow rates, and enhanced detector sensitivity, making it ideal for both routine and complex analytical tasks.
• InfinityLab technology: Integrated with InfinityLab Assist, this system provides real-time monitoring and diagnostics, reducing downtime and improving instrument longevity.
• Versatile applications: Designed for seamless integration into regulated environments, it supports pharmaceuticals, food safety, environmental testing, and more.

By incorporating the Infinity III LC Series, laboratories can expect heightened accuracy, faster analysis times, and superior reproducibility—key factors for high-throughput environments.

📚 Download the HPLC Made For Tomorrow brochure and discover how the Agilent InfinityLab LC Solutions provide the broadest range of liquid chromatography options for any application and budget.

Precision and reliability are essential in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical analysis, where strict regulatory compliance is required. Infinity III is designed for high-throughput drug development, stability testing, and impurity profiling. It offers a cost-effective solution for routine quality control and formulation analysis, making it a trusted choice for pharmaceutical manufacturing. It is also particularly effective in pesticide residue analysis, mycotoxin screening, and nutritional profiling for the food and beverage sector.

Transform your laboratory with Agilent and Chemetrix

At Chemetrix, we are committed to providing cutting-edge solutions that empower laboratories to excel. The introduction of the Agilent Infinity III LC Series and 8850 GC System to our portfolio ensures that our clients have access to the latest advancements in analytical instrumentation.

From pharmaceutical quality control and food safety analysis to petrochemical testing and life sciences research, these powerful instruments enhance productivity, accuracy, and efficiency.

Discover how Agilent’s latest innovations can redefine your lab’s potential – contact Chemetrix today for expert guidance and support.

Why Analytical Testing Matters in Biopharma

Biopharmaceutical products, including monoclonal antibodies, cell and gene therapies, and vaccines, are inherently complex. Unlike traditional small-molecule drugs, these products are often derived from living cells, making them highly sensitive to variations in manufacturing and storage conditions.

Analytical testing ensures the quality, purity, potency, and stability of biopharmaceuticals throughout their lifecycle, from early development to final product release.

Without rigorous testing, even minor inconsistencies in a product can lead to reduced efficacy, compromised safety, or regulatory non-compliance. By employing advanced analytical methods, biopharma companies can identify impurities, confirm molecular structures, and monitor critical quality attributes (CQAs) that are essential for maintaining product integrity.

📚 Download The Journey to Biopharma infographic to discover streamlined automation and cutting-edge analytics >

Driving excellence in Analytical Testing

Chemetrix is at the forefront of supporting biopharma companies with advanced analytical solutions. By offering cutting-edge instruments and technologies, we help laboratories address the challenges of testing biologics and other complex products.

We provide access to industry-leading platforms, including HPLC systems, LC-MS, and next-generation spectroscopy tools. These technologies are designed to deliver high sensitivity and precision, ensuring that every aspect of a biopharmaceutical product is rigorously tested.

The new generation Agilent 1260 Infinity III is a robust instrument that delivers the performance, reliability, and robustness you need for the highest confidence in daily HPLC results. With the freedom to mix and match new modules with existing HPLC instrumentation, it’s possible to maximise uptime and minimise disruption while also getting on the fast track to efficiency, optimizing speed and resolution for analysis.

Moreover, Chemetrix offers comprehensive support services, from installation and training to ongoing maintenance and technical assistance. This ensures that labs can maximise the performance of their analytical equipment and stay ahead of industry demands.

📚 Download the Mass Spectrometry of Macromolecules Using Standard Flow LC/MS application note to discover a robust and sensitive LC/MS method using standard LC flow for the analysis of native protein analysis >

The importance of analytical testing in biopharma cannot be overstated. As the industry continues to evolve, the need for advanced testing methods will only grow. By leveraging state-of-the-art technologies and partnering with trusted providers like Chemetrix, biopharma companies can ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of their products while meeting regulatory expectations. With our commitment to innovation and excellence, Chemetrix stands as a trusted ally for laboratories navigating the complexities of biopharma analytical testing.

We start the LC Beginner webinar series with an overview of basic terms relevant to liquid chromatography.

Speaker

Laura Montis
Product Specialist Liquid Phase Separations
Agilent

Stationary Phases in HPLC – Part I

Reversed phase or normal phase?
Fully porous, partially porous, end capping?
In this webinar, we will cover different stationary phases (RP and NP) and the selection of the particle.

Speaker

Cecilia Mazza
Product Specialist, EMEA IDO – Chemistries & Suppliers
Agilent

Stationary Phases in HPLC – Part II

Speaker

Cecilia Mazza
Product Specialist, EMEA IDO – Chemistries & Suppliers
Agilent

LC Instrument Hardware

Speaker

Laura Montis
Product Specialist Liquid Phase Separations
Agilent

HPLC Detectors

Speaker

Ansuman Mahato
Product Specialist Liquid Phase Separations
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Single Quad Mass Detection for Chromatographers

Speaker

Shaun Pritchard
Product Specialist Liquid Phase Separations
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

SingleQuad II

Speaker

Shaun Pritchard
Product Specialist Liquid Phase Separations
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

GPC/SEC Detector Selection

Speaker

Ansuman Mahato
Product Specialist Liquid Phase Separations
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Sample Preparation

Speaker

Shaun Pritchard
Product Specialist Liquid Phase Separations
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Method Development

Speaker

Laura Montis
Product Specialist Liquid Phase Separations
Agilent

Troubleshooting and Everyday Routine for the Instrument

Speaker

Ansuman Mahato
Product Specialist Liquid Phase Separations
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Troubleshooting and Everyday Routine (Columns)

Speaker

Giorgio Ferlat
MSc, EMEAI IDO Product Specialist, Chemistries and Supplies
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Register now >

In this discussion, we will cover:

• The significance of connections
• Considerations for the mobile phase
• Quality considerations
• Preventing microbial growth
• Compatibility of sample and solvent
• Characteristics of the column; their significance and limitations
• The importance of sample preparation

Speakers

Rita Steed
Application Engineer
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Rita Steed began supporting the LC column line for Agilent in 1999. As a Chromatography Specialist (first with Chromatography, Inc., then directly for Agilent), Rita worked on-site with researchers in Pharmaceutical and other industries presenting technical seminars and assisting researchers with troubleshooting and method development. Rita has over 20 years of Chromatography experience in the Biotechnology, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical industries. She has held positions in Research, Sales, and Technical Service. Rita has earned degrees in Microbiology and Life Sciences/Biochemistry. In her current position, she is an inside Application Engineer supporting LC columns.

Register and watch on demand >

Although there’s a rising demand for honey, the honey bee population is also under threat. Another not-so-sweet issue is the number of products labelled as honey on retail shelves that don’t meet the criteria to be classified as pure honey.

The term “adulterated honey” means any honey to which has been added honeydew, glucose, dextrose, molasses, sugar, sugar syrup, inverted sugar, or any other similar product or products other than the nectar of floral exudations of plants gathered and stored in the comb by honey bees.

Food fraud is a significant concern for consumers and producers, with research indicating that fraud accounts for up to 25% of all globally reported food safety incidents. The growing demand for food authenticity means consumers regularly pay a premium for organic and sustainably produced goods like honey. Fraudsters have been flooding markets with adulterated, low-quality, or mislabeled foodstuffs, damaging the livelihoods of legitimate businesses and potentially risking consumer health.

Increasing demand

Consumers have become quite specific in their demand for honey, focusing on unifloral honey or monofloral honey obtained predominantly from bees that feed on a single species of plant flowers. This results in a unique colour, flavour, and fragrance exclusive to each type of unifloral honey. As consumers are willing to pay more for these products, protections must ensure that they purchase what they expect.

According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, China, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, and the United States are among the major honey-producing countries accounting for approximately 55 per cent of world production. The most common form of adulteration involves extending or diluting honey with other less expensive sweeteners. Commonly identified extenders are corn, cane, and beet syrups.

Testing for authenticity to mitigate honey fraud

Global e-commerce is placing honey sales outside regulatory oversight more frequently—a trend expected to continue. This, combined with increased fraudulent activities, makes tackling the problem critical. This is why it is important to identify these substances quickly, efficiently, and consistently. The food industry requires analytical instruments and testing techniques to consistently and rapidly analyze food and identify trace chemicals.

Analytical testing is essential for assessing food authenticity, which is important to protect consumers’ health, the brand, and producers’ income. Testing is a necessary part of an overall strategy to mitigate fraud risk, and methods for authenticity testing are rapidly evolving, with innovative technologies now available for developing robust food testing techniques.

Agilent 1290 Infinity II LC System

For example, it has been demonstrated in recent years that coupling high-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight (LC/Q-TOF), such as the Agilent 1290 Infinity II LC System with Agilent 6545 LC/Q-TOF, provides a sensitive method to reveal the chemical composition of honey samples. Using this method with a non-targeted approach enables the identification of new types and sources of fraud through the chemical markers in the honey, highlighting which kind of fraudulent activity is occurring. Since this technique evaluates multiple markers in honey to determine authenticity, it is very difficult for fraudsters to cheat by adding one or a few adulterants. This innovative technique is called honey fingerprinting.

Agilent 6545 LC/Q-TOF

Determining honey’s unique chemical composition

Honey fingerprinting is the practice of using a suitable technique to record as much information as possible on the chemical composition of a particular honey sample. In the same way, a human fingerprint is unique to individuals, this fingerprinting method unlocks and records the unique molecular composition of authentic honey samples. This enables the mapping of food components in an unprecedented fashion that will revolutionize how honey is regulated for quality, safety, and authenticity.

Utilizing a non-targeted workflow begins with identifying other compounds, including pesticides, molecules that indicate freshness, like a compound called HMF (which suggests thermal processing or age if present in high numbers), and phenolic compounds, which are related to the floral origin of honey. The advantage of using LC/Q-TOF for this technique is its efficiency: higher molecular/trace information levels can be obtained from just one sample in less time versus targeted methods focusing on just a few parameters.

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 condition. There are also differences in terms of data processing and analysis. As a result, two laboratories analyzing the same sample may obtain slightly different results. Ideally, developing a standardized 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.

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 own 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.

Taking a global approach to ensure honey purity

As the food supply chain becomes increasingly globalized, raising the opportunity for food fraud, experts predict that testing, such as those described above, will become more accessible, increasingly automated, and easier to perform. Fingerprinting methods—in which the entire molecular profile of food can be obtained—will be a feature of future fraud prevention and identification systems.

A positive step forward is the focus on building a library of authentic honey samples and making it an accessible, open database so that honey fingerprinting information is available across multiple stakeholders in the global supply chain. With increased knowledge, more scientists will be able to adopt techniques such as LC/Q-TOF and could also use this testing for other types of food—for example, maple syrup.

The ultimate goal is for food testing laboratories to confidently measure contaminants that threaten the global food chain and tackle food fraud head-on to ensure that consumers can access authentic and safe honey.

(This article has been modified from its original appearance on the Agilent website)

This presentation will look at several key issues, such as:

• How often typical preventive maintenance (PM) tasks should be performed.
• What signs to look for that may indicate a need for maintenance.
• Tools for testing the LC systems before and after maintenance.
• Basic troubleshooting and diagnostics.

The goal of this talk is to lay a strong and broad foundation from which to build a better understanding of your own HPLC systems and their specific maintenance needs.

Speaker

Speaker

This presentation will include a look at the hardware and software used for the Agilent OnLine LC system.  We will log into a live system to view the setup possibilities and review data acquired on the system.

Speaker

Several concepts of the different types of 2D-LC will be explained to enable a comprehensive understanding of this well-established technology.

The benefits of comprehensive Multiple Heart-Cutting, High-Resolution Sampling 2D-LC and the unique technique of Active Solvent Modulation will be explained in detail. Real-life examples will be shown to illustrate the advantages that incorporating an additional separation dimension brings to LC and LC/MS analysis.

What you will learn

•    First principles of 2D-LC technology
•    How to configure a mass detector with 2D-LC
•    How 2D-LC technologies enhance the quality of MS detection
•    Where 2D-LC makes a positive difference with several application examples

Speaker