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Passing the Test: Understanding Proficiency TestingLaboratories use proficiency tests (PTs) to comply with their accreditation requirements and evaluate analysts’ performance. Laboratories regard PTs as a burdensome chore that must be successfully completed to satisfy internal or external compliance or accreditation requirements. PTs are an integral part of a quality management system (QMS) under quality assurance and control (QA/AC). Understanding the core components of the QMS is an important part of passing any PT test. Unacceptable PT results may have little to do with the result itself but reflect the use and application of statistics, standards, and methods.
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Synthesis of Differently Sized Gold Nanoparticles for SERS Applications in the Detection of Malachite GreenSurface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), using gold nanoparticles, is useful for detection of low-levels of many analytes, including the water pollutant malachite green (MG).
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In situ Monitoring of Double Metal Cyanide (DMC) Catalyst Synthesis by Raman SpectroscopyDouble metal cyanide (DMC) can be monitored in real time using an in situ Raman spectroscopy method. In this study, real-time reaction progress information from in situ Raman results enabled researchers to accurately determine the reaction end point of DMC.
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Shining Light on Graphite PurityIn this application note, we use a compact, high-resolution spectrometer to investigate the reflectance properties of graphite samples in powder form.
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A Facile Synthesis of Tannic Acid–Protected Copper Nanoclusters and the Sensitive Fluorescence Detection of Nitrite Ion Under Mild ConditionsNitrite poses health risks. This study evaluates the results of using tannic acid- protected fluorescence copper nanoclusters (TA-CuNCs) to detect nitrite in food.
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GC×GC–TOF-MS and Comprehensive Fingerprinting of Volatiles in Food: Capturing the Signature of QualityFood quality differences are dependent on botanical and geographical origins of primary food ingredients as well as storage and handling. Quality assessment for food materials, including cocoa and olive oil, is demonstrated by applying two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) and pattern recognition.
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Evaluation and Development Trends of Optical Detection Technology for Seed VigorIn this article, the basic principles, advantages, and limitations of different optical techniques for obtaining seed vigor estimates are introduced and reviewed, and the key technology of non-destructive optical detection of single seeds will be discussed.
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In situ Raman Spectroscopy Monitors the Corrosion of Mild Steel in a Salt Fog ChamberIn this study, in situ Raman spectroscopy was used to detect the formation, growth, and evolution of corrosion inside a salt fog chamber. These results pave the way for monitoring the real-time observation of corrosion on metal surfaces.
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Contamination Control During Sample Preparation for Trace Element Analysis of Electronic Cigarette Aerosol with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry, Part 2Minimizing sample preparation issues requires users to consider method LODs as well as high purity polymer materials for sample collection and preparation. Here, we examine proper personal analytical practices one can take to avoid environmental contamination.
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Utilizing Modern Analytical Instrumentation in Brewing Science to Further Quality and Innovation in BeerThis article covers a portion of the analytical equipment and techniques used in the production of beer across the supply chain.
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New Study Validates the Safety and Health Benefits of MaifanitumA new study published utilizes advanced analytical techniques to validate the safety, quality, and health benefits of maifanitum, confirming its suitability for wellness applications.
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High-Resolution High-Speed LIBS MicroscopyThe use of high-resolution LIBS imaging requires the reduction of acquisition time. The authors describe a new developed system that accomplishes this goal and can be used in various applications where elemental composition and elemental distribution analysis is required.
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Geographical Traceability of Millet by Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy and Feature ExtractionThe study developed an effective mid-infrared spectroscopic identification model, combining principal component analysis (PCA) and support vector machine (SVM), to accurately determine the geographical origin of five types of millet with a recognition accuracy of up to 99.2% for the training set and 98.3% for the prediction set.
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Efficient Discrimination of Some Moss Species by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and ChemometricsIn combination with attenuated total reflectance (ATR), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy can be used to classify different moss species.
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Determination of Sulfuric Acid Effects on Degradation and Structural Changes of Gelatin Using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Peak Deconvolution AnalysisThe effect of 0.5 M sulfuric acid on the structural changes of gelatin using peak deconvolution analysis and FT-IR spectra was investigated.
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Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) with Cold Electron Ionization (EI): Bridging the Gap Between GC–MS and LC–MSGas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) with cold electron ionization (EI) is based on interfacing the GC and MS instruments with supersonic molecular beams (SMB) along with electron ionization of vibrationally cold sample compounds in SMB in a fly-through ion source (hence the name cold EI). GC–MS with cold EI improves all the central performance aspects of GC–MS. These aspects include enhanced molecular ions, improved sample identification, an extended range of compounds amenable for analysis, uniform response to all analytes, faster analysis, greater selectivity, and lower detection limits. In GC–MS with cold EI, the GC elution temperatures can be significantly lowered by reducing the column length and increasing the carrier gas flow rate. Furthermore, the injector temperature can be reduced using a high column flow rate, and sample degradation at the cold EI fly-through ion source is eliminated. Thus, a greater range of thermally labile and low volatility compounds can be analyzed. The extension of the range of compounds and applications amenable for analysis is the most important benefit of cold EI that bridges the gap with LC–MS. Several examples of GC–MS with cold EI applications are discussed including cannabinoids analysis, synthetic organic compounds analysis, and lipids in blood analysis for medical diagnostics.
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Working towards clean energyIn order to make combustion more efficient without major greenhouse gas emissions, quantum cascade lasers are used in a setup to study ignition delay times.
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In Situ Enhancement of Microplastic Raman Signals in Water Using Ultrasonic CaptureOf the 78 million tons of plastic packaging manufactured every year, approximately one-third ends up in the ocean, the air, and most foods and beverages. To monitor the proliferation of these plastics, an ultrasonic capture method is demonstrated that produces a 1500-fold enhancement of Raman signals of microplastics in water.
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Accurate and Precise Quantification of Arsenic and Selenium in Water and Biological Samples Through the Removal of Doubly Charged Rare Earth Element Interferences by ICP-MSThis month’s column evaluates the capability of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to reduce the impact of doubly charged rare-earth element (REE) interferences on the quantitation of the metalloids, arsenic (As), and selenium (Se) in water and biological matrices.
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Application of Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence to Agricultural Disease ResearchIn these studies, wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) was used to examine differences in the elemental composition of agricultural samples, comparing healthy and diseased samples of okra, papaya, and rice. Both the mineral nutrient profiles (macro and micronutrients) and toxic metals were examined, revealing common patterns.
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In-situ Detection of Rice Using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Machine LearningThis research investigates the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and machine learning (ML) for detecting elemental composition of food, using rice as an example.
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Nondestructive Spectroscopic Techniques for Detection of Fungal and Mycotoxin Infections in Food Products: A ReviewFungal infections and mycotoxin contamination in food products pose a major threat to the world population. Mycotoxins contaminate approximately 25% of the world’s food products and cause severe health problems through the utilization of affected food products. The major mycotoxins in different foods are aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone, trichothecenes, and deoxynivalenol. Today, various conventional and nondestructive techniques are available for the detection of mycotoxins across multiple food products. Conventional methods are time-consuming, require chemical reagents, and include many laborious steps. Therefore, nondestructive techniques like near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, and the electronic nose are a priority for online detection of fungal and mycotoxin problems in different food products. In this article, we discuss recent improvements and utilization of different nondestructive techniques for the early detection of fungal and mycotoxin infections in various food products.
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Analysis of Unlabeled Sibutramine in Dietary Supplements Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) with Handheld DevicesThis article discusses how FT-IR and SERS is being used to detect counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs.
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Identification and Classification of Degradation-Indicator Grass Species in a Desertified Steppe Based on HSI-UAVUtilizing a low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a hyperspectral remote-sensing system can identify key grass species indicating grassland degradation, developing an ASI index and classification rules and leveraging spectral differences and plant senescence reflectance to effectively monitor and evaluate grassland conditions and degradation.
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Making Industrial Raman Spectroscopy PracticalRaman spectroscopy is a valuable process analytical technology (PAT) for many applications across multiple industries, as a result of its many advantages, such as molecular specificity, ability to be directly coupled to a reaction vessel, and compatibility with solids, liquids, gases, and turbid media.
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Terahertz Spectral Investigation of L-Cysteine Hydrochloride and its MonohydrateThis new terahertz method provides a theoretical reference for studying the relationship between biomolecules and water.
