Analytical Reporter January/ February 2024

Digestion Vial Methods

Compatible with COD (EPA, ISO, and mercury free methods), Nitrogen and Phosphorous reagents packaged in 16 mm digestion vial. Reagents are sold separately.

Compact Packaging

Each set of COD vials is stored in fully recyclable, sustainable, compact plastic packaging rather than standard styrofoam.

smaller box allows you to store more on your shelf, and reduce waste when disposing of your packaging.

HI93754A Packs available either 25 or 150

HI93754C

Packs available either 25 or 150

Fish with a story

Dear Reader

Happy New Year! I hope you have returned to work feeling refreshed and excited about the year ahead. I know I have!

I had a wonderful festive season, relaxing at home, reading my much-forgotten novels, and cooking delicious food – things I just don’t seem to get around to doing in the busy work year. I came across this news piece during the holidays, and thought it was relevant, given that I’ve been cooking up a storm recently: it’s all about an initiative to ultimately source the freshest ethically sourced fish of the highest quality. What could be better!

Steenberg Farm celebrates ABALOBI’s prestigious nomination for the Earthshot Prize

In 2015, Dr Serge Raemaekers set out to do something that had never been done before: to establish a non-profit, community-driven social enterprise that would help elevate small-scale South African fishing communities through technology, data, and inclusive and responsible practices. It was this vision that brought ABALOBI to life.

ABALOBI reimagines fishing for the modern world. Co-designed mobile technology allows fishers to capture their own data in real-time, access markets directly, create transparency in their work, and keep a more competitive part of the real value of their catch. This helps assert these fishers as the true stewards of the ocean, improving their livelihoods, while returning to more sustainable fishing practices. Restaurateurs, chefs, hoteliers and private consumers, on the other hand, can trace their fish through the value chain, all the way to the fisher who caught it. After eight years, ABOLOBI’s impact has been profound.

But this impact, however, was no accident. Rather, it came about as the result of unwavering commitment from businesses and consumers alike – all who put in countless time and resources to help build ABALOBI into what it is today. As an early supporter and collaborator, Steenberg was instrumental in transforming a big idea into a reality. “At Steenberg, we were moved by ABALOBI’s vision and mission,” says Executive Chef Kerry Kilpin at Steenberg’s Bistro Sixteen82 and Tryn. “So when Serge approached Steenberg to trial ABALOBI, we knew this wasn’t only about business, but rather, an opportunity to make a real difference to our cherished oceans, and the people who live and work with them.”

With this goal, ABALOBI went on to launch South Africa’s first restaurant-supported fishery initiative. “From Steenberg’s very first order in 2018 until today, ABALOBI has delivered the freshest ethically sourced fish of the highest quality. Equally important is that we’re learning every step of the way – invaluable knowledge of the ocean and its fish that we in turn can share with our guests. There’s no doubt in my mind that there’s simply nothing better out there, and as such, ABALOBI has continued to be our only fish supplier at Bistro Sixteen82 and Tryn.

The fact that this initiative is supporting hundreds of families that have lived off the coast for generations makes all the difference.”

Recognising the work done in communities and with businesses like Steenberg, ABALOBI was named as a finalist for the 2023 Earthshot Prize, in the category ‘Revive Our Oceans’. Established by Prince William of England, the prize seeks to highlight the work of individuals and organisations working in five categories: ‘Protect and Restore Nature’, ‘Clean Our Air’, ‘Revive Our Oceans’, ‘Build A WasteFree World’, and ‘Fix Our Climate’.

ABALOBI has resulted in many meaningful collaborations with small-scale fishing communities to reposition them in the value chain, rebuild their fisheries, and help develop more ethical food systems towards social and ecological sustainability. “My hope is for every fisher to become a responsible fisher, to take ownership of the ocean and the species in the ocean for the next generation, and I strongly believe that ABALOBI is the ideal tool,” says David Shoshola, a traditional fisher and ABALOBI advocate.

The 2023 Earthshot Prize was held on 7 November 2023, with the ceremony taking place in Singapore.

I am truly blown away by this story. Next time you think about cooking fish, remember ABALOBI. You can even shop online https:// fishwithastory.org/

Right, time to go and cook something delicious – I’m salivating!

Until next time,

Sami

WHY SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES?

• The Blue Economy is the 7th largest economic sector worth an estimated USD2.5tn annually –and fisheries are a critical, yet overlooked component

• 40% of the global catch originates from smallscale fisheries – mostly informal in nature – and much of the catch is traded internationally

• 492 million livelihoods are dependent on smallscale fisheries and ancillary activities – 90% of people involved in capture fisheries operate in small-scale fisheries

https://abalobi.org/ www.eclipsecomms.com

EDITORIAL

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ANALYTICAL SYSTEMS TO INCREASE PLANT EFFICIENCY

SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS WITH OUR TRUSTED TECHNOLOGIES

Elemental

• Easy and fast sample preparation for XRF, ICP and AAS.

• Robust XRF analysis in the laboratory.

• On-line monitoring directly in the process.

Mineralogical

• Mineralogical identification and quantification with XRD and NIR.

• Frequent tracking of process parameters.

Morphological

• Particle size distributions and shape for dry and wet samples using Laser Diffraction.

• Part of an on-line continuous process or in the laboratory.

www.malvernpanalytical.com/mining

Malvern Panalytical (Pty) Ltd.

South Africa

southafrica@panalytical.com

| wynand.smit@malvernpanalytical.com

Protechnik Laboratories

Who We Are

Protechnik Laboratories, a subsidiary of Armscor, is a multidisciplinary scientific laboratory focused on high-end research and development work in Chemical and Biological defence solutions.

An ISO 17025 / IEC: 2017 accredited testing laboratory with a 30-year history, Protechnik Laboratories offers a wide range of analytical services to verify and detect the presence of highly toxic and prohibited chemical and biological agents, which includes the testing of masks and materials. These services are vital for the defence and commercial industry, agriculture, food manufacturing, mining and environmental sectors.

Who We Serve

Protechnik Laboratories is customer-centric, offering tailored analytical testing solutions to local and international clients in the defence industry and commercial sector. The facility proudly offers chemical and biological research and development to the National Authority in terms of non-proliferation activities.

Services Offered

Analytical Testing Services - Analytical samples: All occupational health samples – Silica (Alpha Quartz), VOCs, air pollutants; pesticides, metal analysis, sanitizers testing; water analysis (chemical, according to SANS 241) and verification of toxic industrial chemicals.

Protection Testing Services - Respiratory protective equipment (RPE): masks (surgical, half- and full-face); gas filters; surface characterisation of adsorbents (activated carbon, Zeolites, catalysts); material characterisation - chemical and physical properties (films, textiles and rubbers).

Detection and Decontamination of Hazardous and Toxic Industrial ChemicalsExpertise in both laboratory and field detection for the identification of CWAs, hazardous chemicals and toxic industrial chemicals. Expertise in the destruction of hazardous chemicals, toxic chemicals and toxic industrial chemicals utilising its in-house developed decontaminants.

Remote Testing Services - The Mobile Chemical and Biological Defence Laboratory (MCBDL) with its support container, is a first of its kind multidisciplinary testing mobile laboratory able to service customers at their point of need to reduce contamination. The service is available nationally in South Africa, and can be used statically or be deployed as a remote laboratory for the screening of chemicals and biotoxins.

Training Hub - Protechnik Laboratories offers the OPCW Analytical Chemistry Course to African Member states, the Basic Chemistry Course to military personnel, as well as training on the operation of analytical instrumentation (FTIR, GC, GC-MS, HPLC, LC-MS, ICP-MS and IC).

•

HI802 IRIS SPECTROPHOTOMETER

The HI802 iris spectrophotometer quickly identifies Hanna Instruments vial methods by reading the barcode on reagent vials across multiple methods that support the use of a single-zero measurement.

The barcode reader for method identification is removable to allow other methods and cuvette adapters (included) to be used for maximum versatility. HI802 iris portable spectrophotometer allows for measurement in the spectrum of all wavelengths of visible light and not just pre-specified wavelengths.

Spectrophotometers work by isolating light at specific wavelengths from white light. This compact meter incorporates several features that facilitate both fantastic performance and exceptional usability.

Automatic

Advanced split-beam optical system

• Rechargeable li-ion battery

• User customisable methods

Vial barcode reader

Automatic method identification of barcoded sample vials is an exciting feature of the HI802.

The HI802 visible spectrophotometer scans an inserted barcoded vial and automatically detects both method type and method range, significantly reducing the risk of errors and aiding measurement procedure.

Vial rotation

Vial rotation during measurement allows for method identification and for several absorbance readings. The instrument then converts the readings to concentration units and the result is shown on the LCD display.

This rotational averaging of signals during measurement (with the lamp on) ensures improved method accuracy.

Shared single-zero measurement

Use of a single-zero measurement across multiple vial methods where blank correction is done with DI water. This ensures that sample features, rather than instrument changes, are reflected in the instrument’s measurements and contributes to ease of use and stable readings.

Universal cuvette holder and autorecognition

The built-in cuvette holder holds both 22mm round cuvettes and rectangular cuvettes with a 5cm path length. Adapters for the cuvette holder are available to hold other 13 and 16mm round cuvettes, and 10mm square cuvettes, including the 13mm vial adapter with barcode reader. Rectangular cuvettes have longer path lengths, which result in higher sensitivity in readings of low absorbance samples.

AUTOMATED MEDIAJET The lab tech’s efficiency boost at NHLS Greenpoint lab

Maintaining an efficient workflow at the NHLS media preparation lab in Greenpoint, Cape Town, is crucial due to the substantial volume of culture media and plates handled daily. The lab caters to eight provinces and the micro labs in the area, such as Pathcare, Ampath and Tygerberg Hospital, with an average production of 4 000 plates per day.

To address this demanding workload, the lab recently integrated a second MediaJet Petri dish filler from Integra Biosciences, facilitated and serviced by Labotec. This addition complements the trusty 15-year-old MediaJet, which remains fully operational, having produced an impressive 10 million media plates. With the capacity to double plate production to 500 per run and dispensing 20ml of media per plate, the new equipment significantly expedites the

process. Staff members, who previously poured media into plates manually, attest to the automated unit's efficiency, describing it as "at least 20 times faster".

The MediaJet systems boast an inherent ‘Agar Spread Function’, ensuring uniform distribution of the 20ml media with a consistently even surface. To maintain sterility during dispensing, the MediaJet is equipped with a UV lamp spanning the rotor's length, emitting powerful 2.1W UV-C radiation to eliminate bacterial activity.

The standardised media production process commences with weighing the agar base powder to 220g, adding 10 litres of water, heating to 121°C, and cooling for sterilisation. Once connected to the MediaJet, the system can process 500 plates at a time.

(L-R) Evan van Niekerk, the Metrohm Academy manager, with Meldah Seopela, who completed her internship at Metrohm’s South Africa headquarters, Woodmead, Johannesburg

The unit expertly handles Petri dishes, guided throughout the filling process, with adaptable optical dish sensors accommodating various dish brands. Operating the MediaJet is user-friendly, utilising predefined programs and a simple start button for initiation, facilitated by an intuitive interface.

The MEDIAJET Petri dish filler exemplifies automated preparation, delivering consistent, contamination-free media in Petri dishes and test tubes. At day's end, the NHLS clients receive plates ready for streaking with urine, stool, saliva, blood, or other microbial specimens. Overnight incubation facilitates bacterial growth for subsequent identification and thereafter, a recovery solution can be identified for the patients.

Additionally, the meter permits the selection of the size of the cuvette used in custom user methods from the available sizes. For all methods, the programmed cuvette size is displayed on the screen to assure that the proper path length is being used by the meter when calculating measurements.

System check

Upon turning on the meter, a performance check occurs to confirm that the light source is working properly and to calibrate the position of the grating. The grating calibration works by scanning for the ‘zero order’ light reflecting off the grating. If any mechanical problems are present, the meter will display an alert. This feature establishes confidence in measurements, knowing that the meter is always working properly without needing to run any additional tests.

Metrohm is pleased to announce that Meldah Seopela will complete her internship at the company’s SA headquarters in Woodmead. Meldah completed her studies and needs a further six months of practical training, which she will enjoy under the guidance of Evan van Niekerk, the Metrohm Academy manager.

The training provided by the Metrohm Academy has proved most appropriate, with many interns finding gainful

www.labotec.co.za

employment at major SA companies and parastatals.

METROHM SA (PTY) LTD

Tel: (011) 656 1918

CPT: (021) 852 0213

DBN: (031) 265 0067

Fax: (011) 656 2698

078 643 7113

info@metrohm.co.za

www.metrohm.co.za

Darren Okkers and Lusindiso Zaula use the Integra Biosciences MediaJet Petri dish filler, which expedites the automated preparation of Petri dishes for local

such

Science is a journey. A journey to continuously grow, nurture and evolve. We are passionate about working side by side with our customers to understand challenges and make a difference.

In providing the tools, we hope to collectively work towards better health, well-being, and a cleaner environment.

GROW NURTURE EVOLVE

QUALITY LABORATORY EQUIPMENT, SOLUTIONS, AND TECHNICAL SE VICE TO ACCELERATE SCIENCE TOGETHER IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.

GENERAL PRODUCTS

SMART ACCELERATED NITROGEN DETERMINATION IN FERTILISERS FOR FARMERS

Nitrogen determination is an essential component tested in fertilisers for farmers’ crop performance. The application of nitrogen over the growth phases of a plant influences and produces a specific yield, and therefore controlled release of this element is important for a specific anticipated crop outcome.

“Farmers have become scientists. They need to ensure they get the maximum performance from their products with more detailed analysis for crops to succeed,” says Salie Isaacs, at SGS soil testing lab in Somerset West, Cape Town. Their soil and fertiliser laboratory has been in operation for over 20 years and receives samples from all over South Africa, as well as the neighbouring countries. During this time of over two decades, they have always used Buchi’s steam distillation units for nitrogen determination. The newest replacements, installed and commissioned by Labotec, are two Büchi Kjel Line units, which are contributing to a higher degree of automation and double the turnaround time compared to the older more mechanical Buchi units of a decade ago. “Now the lab

technicians don’t mind running a quick sample on a Friday afternoon at 2pm, and finishing before home time,” says Isaacs. The processing time has thus halved.

SGS is a leading testing, verification, and certification company, with headquarters based in Switzerland. The Soil and Fertiliser laboratory in Somerset West forms part of this network, offering complete agricultural soil sample testing solutions for nutrients and physical properties, testing leaves, soil, minerals, pH, and heavy metals. “Based on this information, the farmer can ascertain the fertilising needs, and replenish the soil for the new crop-growing season,” explains Rudie van Zyl, Laboratory Manager.

A simple quick process

Samples of chemical fertiliser are sent from farmers countrywide. These samples are then sorted, riffled and ground. To process, the laboratory needs 100g, which is ground into a homogeneous powder with a coffee grinder. A solution is made from this, then digested for total nitrogen, distilled on a distillation unit, and then the nitrogen is calculated via titration. The Büchi Kjel Line

Distillation unit services nitrogen determination and distillation for chemical, organic and inorganic fertilisers, compost, liquid fertiliser, leaf and fruit.

According to Isaacs, “Some farmers send a ton of fertiliser. This is not necessary, only 100g is needed for analysis. The turnaround time was normally 10 days, but for now we are running on five days,” he adds.

The new Büchi Kjel units have simple operation, and no real maintenance is required. Isaacs adds, “You can take the whole machine apart and clean and maintain the pieces separately.” He adds, “This is a

more integrated machine that automatically carries out the distillation, and it has modular functionality.” The units can be equipped with titrators and electrodes where titration dosage and endpoint recognition via suitable electrodes is carried out automatically, giving a high level of automation and unattended operation.

Fertilisers haven’t changed much

Work used to be seasonal, but the soil laboratory has found they are busy throughout the year now. The market trend now demands a more detailed analysis of the components, for instance individual split nitrate in, urea in. The importance is knowing the absorption periods of the compost and fertilisers; whether its liquid, organic or inorganic, and thereby regulating the amount for maximum absorption.

So, the fertilisers haven’t changed much, but the analysis has increased over the last two decades, and thankfully the analysis time has decreased.

LABOTEC (PTY) LTD

JHB: (011) 315 5434

CPT: (021) 531 7660

DBN: (031) 566 4870

sales@labotec.co.za

www.labotec.co.za

For laboratory to industrial sized ultrasonic cleaners.Ultrasonic cleaning is a process that uses ultrasound to agitate a fluid, to produce a deep cleaning effect.

Mangwe Marubela (left) and Mandlakazi Thafeni (right) with two Büchi Kjel Line units using steam distillation to determine the nitrogen content for fertilisers

GENERAL PRODUCTS

PRECISA

Weighing cells are employed in a variety of sectors and workplaces, despite being barely noticeable. The weighing cell is crucial to accurately determining mass, whether it is used in laboratory balances, industrial scales, or conveyor belt systems. Traditional electromagnetic force compensation (EMFC) weighing cells are a dependable technology that have been around for a long time.

It can be very difficult to put up this weighing cell because it has so many distinct

interdependent pieces, depending on the design plan and the necessary accuracy.

The PHASTblocTM is a novel hybrid weighing cell type technology (Precisa Hybrid Advanced Sensor Technology). Three monolithic functional layers make up its structure. The chassis is manufactured using the extrusion process, rather than being milled or cut from a single solid block of aluminium as per the norm.

This limits the strength of the top layer to what is necessary and lowers the amount of energy needed to produce basic materials. The manufacturer can receive the raw material in one shipment, and the extrusion process enables an excellent material yield, leading to a good material utilisation grade (70% to 75%).

Each of the two stronger layers is finished separately. Additionally, here, production procedures and component sizes are optimised while, once more, resource and energy usage is kept to a minimum. Whereas pure monolithic systems have limitations, the PHASTblocTM system can be built up to be used for heavier weight loads and greater platform sizes (for example, in the industrial sector). Since assembly and disassembly are fairly intuitive, highly qualified technicians are not necessary. This enables quick repairs and the replacement of only the damaged components. This improves the long-term viability of balances using this kind of weighing cell. inqaba biotec has been a trusted partner and distributor of quality instruments for over 20 years, bringing

in cutting-edge technologies on African soil to realise our visions and aims.

For more information and quotations for these laboratory workhorses, feel free to contact inqaba at info@inqababiotec.co.za.

You

SOUTH

Tel: +27 12 343 5829

info@inqababiotec.co.za

www.inqababiotec.co.za

SuperSONIC ultrasonic cleaners

What is an ultrasonic cleaner used for?

A multitude of items can be cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner, including but not limited to industrial parts, jewelry, scientific samples, lenses and other optical parts, watches, dental and surgical instruments, tools, coins, fountain pens, golf clubs, fishing reels, window blinds, firearm components, car fuel injectors, musical instruments, car, motorbike and bicycle components.

What is the purpose of the ultrasonic cleaner?

An ultrasonic transducer produces highfrequency sound waves that create cavitation bubbles in a cleaning liquid. When the ultrasonic cavitation bubbles collapse, they create a cleaning action that can remove debris, dirt, grease and other deposits from surfaces and from inside nooks and crevasses within a component that are difficult to reach.

Other ideal items well-suited for ultrasonic parts cleaning include medical and surgical instruments, carburettors, firearms, window blinds, industrial machine parts and electronic equipment.

What fluid is used in an ultrasonic cleaner?

Deionised water is the most commonly used cleaning fluid. While detergents can help in the ultrasonic cleaning process, they are not always necessary. Deionised water is safe to use on almost any material that can be safely submerged in water. In some cases, isopropyl alcohol is also effective on stubborn components.

How long does it take to clean something in an ultrasonic cleaner?

The time required for ultrasonic cleaning depends on the material and soils, but typical

cleaning times range from three to six minutes. However, the process can sometimes take up to 30 minutes. Ultrasonic wash cycles are typical for a controlled and established cleaning process. This may not include preclean, rinsing, drying, and packaging processes that would also add to the overall cleaning cycle time, and should be taken into consideration.

What cannot be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner?

Certain electronic components such as MEMS devices like gyroscopes, accelerometers and microphones can become damaged or destroyed by the high-intensity vibrations of the ultrasonic cleaning process.

Cavitation bubbles

NATURAL PLANT PROCESSING TECHNIQUES YOU NEED TO KNOW

For many years, natural products have served as a major source of pharma- and nutraceutical ingredients. They also play a key role as ingredients in cosmetic and food applications. Due to their enormous variety, methods used for the development and production of these compounds are diverse.

The discovery of a natural product includes several steps. The process begins with the production of a crude extract from a natural source, which is used for biological screening to identify the bioactive compound. Any target of interest is then processed further to achieve a single compound of high purity, which is tested thoroughly for desirable characteristics and functions. Once an active ingredient has been identified, the development of the production process can be followed by optimisation on a larger scale. Before being incorporated into a final formulation, ingredients need to be preformulated in either a liquid or solid form to facilitate storage. This is crucial to protect the target material and for controlled or target release.

TESTING AND QUALITY CONTROL

Natural products must undergo strict application testing before they enter the

production process. The final product is typically tested for chemical stability and physical integrity under specific storage, transport, and use conditions. In the case of pharma applications, clinical trials can take several years to complete and involve evaluating the drug mixture with animal, in vitro, and in vivo studies. If the product is proven safe and efficient, it can be released for production.

Inspection of incoming goods and final quality control ensures the desired attributes of any natural product. Additionally, quality control during the production process helps to analyse the identity, purity and content of bulk material, intermediates, impurities and degradation products. Close monitoring of the process enables safe operation and ensures the product meets the required specifications.

PROCESSING STEPS AND SOLUTIONS

Labotec offers a range of laboratory equipment for the discovery, development, testing and production phases of natural plant processing. The first step in plant processing is cultivation. Labotec’s range of IncoGrow growth chambers have been designed for experimentation in the growth of plants, animals and insects. Another option is the Weiss Fitotron HGC modular plant growth chambers with optional growth areas. If you’re looking for unsurpassed accuracy and reliability in the control of temperature, humidity and lighting, the Weiss Fitotron SGC120 plant and insect growth chamber meets these needs especially for larger plants of up to 1.5m. Fitotron also offers walk-in high light intensity growth rooms and walk-in climate rooms.

The second step – milling – requires flexible, modular, fast and easy comminution. Also important in milling is the availability of different options of inlet sizes, collecting vessels, and stands perfectly matched to your application. Available from Labotec, the Fritsch cutting mills are ideal for natural plant processing lab work. Plant extraction is the third step. There are various methods available to isolate active substances which can be finetuned to your specifications. For this step, the

UniversalExtractor E-800 are reliable solutions.

For step four, extract concentration, largescale rotary evaporators are commonly used to cover almost the entire range of solvent handling in plant production. Regardless of the method used for extraction, the solvent must be removed from the extract. Büchi’s

Rotavapor R-300 meets the highest expectations in convenience and versatility. Its modular design allows for the R-300 to be extended into a fully integrated system where a central interface regulates each component.

The fifth step is separation and purification of the different compounds of the plant extract. Flash chromatography is a suitable method for this with the Büchi Pure C-850 Flash Prep meeting your needs.

Any further processing constitutes step six in the process. With encapsulators for the encapsulation of active ingredients and spray dryers for handling samples to produce the highest yields, Labotec’s drying portfolio can be used for any R&D application. Included in the portfolio are Büchi’s new spray dryer and the B-395 PRO encapsulator.

LABOTEC (PTY) LTD

JHB: (011) 315 5434

CPT: (021) 531 7660

DBN: (031) 566 4870

sales@labotec.co.za www.labotec.co.za

DSC5+ - THE NEW STANDARD IN THERMAL ANALYSIS

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measures enthalpy changes in a material due to changes in physical and chemical properties as a function of temperature or time. METTLER

TOLEDO’S DSC 5+ features the new, advanced MMS1 sensor with 136 thermocouples and two integrated heaters for power compensation mode. Additionally, it employs heat flux technology to provide superior performance and a more productive DSC.

Innovative design

The innovative design of the DSC5+ sensor incorporates integrated heaters, allowing the sensor to accurately self-adjust for heat flow with precision. This ensures the DSC remains consistently calibrated across the entire temperature range. This capability not only saves users valuable time but also increases productivity through automatic instrument adjustment.

Power compensation and heat flux mode

The DSC5+ sensor, equipped with the FlexMode functionality, offers the flexibility to select between power compensation and heat flux mode, based on specific measurement requirements. Power compensation mode has a very short signal-time constant, providing excellent resolution and the ability to separate close-lying thermal effects. Heat flux mode exhibits minimal noise levels, which provides the highest sensitivity for the detection of weak effects or transitions.

High-capacity sample robot with gas-purged sample changer

The DSC5+ brings together a combination of advanced hardware and software solutions, resulting in a more

productive DSC. Featuring a high-capacity sample robot housing up to 96 sample positions and interchangeable reference crucibles, the crucible chamber can be purged with inert gas to prevent unwanted reactions before measurement starts. The removable crucible trays simplify and ensure reliable sample preparation. When coupled with FlexCal adjustment and the powerful STAR software, including AIWizard, these elements collectively elevate the efficiency of your laboratory.

Versatile temperature selection

The DSC5+ has an unrivalled modular

concept, offering the flexibility to choose the operating temperature that precisely meets your measurement requirements. This makes it the ideal solution for laboratories across various domains, including industrial development, academic research, production, and quality assurance. The combined LN2 and intra-cooler, with automatic cooler selection, effectively reduces liquid nitrogen consumption over the entire temperature range. The patented electrical heat-flow adjustment guarantees superior measurement accuracy.

MICROSEP (PTY) LTD

Rudy Maliepaard

Tel: 087 092 7300

rudy.maliepaard@microsep.co.za

www.microsep.co.za

OMNIS – Metrohm makes titration faster, safer, and easier

‘Omnis’ = Latin word meaning all or everything.

A whole new level of performance – that is the promise of OMNIS, the new platform for wet chemical analysis by Metrohm. With OMNIS, the market leader in titration addresses the needs of small and large laboratories alike. The new titration platform is modular and can be expanded from a simple standalone titrator to a powerful robotic system performing four analyses simultaneously processing up to 175 samples completely unattended.

Higher sample throughput

The new Metrohm titration platform boosts sample throughput to new levels.

The OMNIS Sample Robot continuously picks and places samples from and to a maximum of four work stations performing up to four analyses simultaneously.

METROHM SA (PTY) LTD

Tel: (011) 656 1918

CPT: (021) 852 0213

DBN: (031) 265 0067

Fax: (011) 656 2698 078 643 7113 info@metrohm.co.za www.metrohm.co.za

As soon as free capacity at any one of the four work stations is noticed, the next analysis is started.

Fully protected reagent exchange

The new titration platform comes with a patented Liquid Adapter making the exchange of reagents safer than ever. No bottles with potentially harmful liquids need to be opened: In order to exchange reagents, the Liquid Adapter is simply snapped onto its counterpart on top of the sealed bottle with the original reagent.

Moreover, when the liquid adapter is snapped onto this bottle cap, OMNIS reads information about the content of the bottle from an RFID chip in the bottle cap and saves it in the method. This fully automated identification and check of the reagent closes the last gap in the traceability of the analysis.

Intuitive use

The new Metrohm titration platform is intuitive to use as the entire hardware is graphically represented in the user interface. Custom systems can be configured by drag and drop of the icons on the desktop or on a touch screen interface. The graphical method editor is operated by drag and drop as well, enabling users to edit methods command by command.

Focus on the sample

The new titration platform form puts the sample in the focus. Whatever methods are necessary to analyse a sample, OMNIS collects the results and connects them to the sample. This saves time and effort, as the results for the parameters of interest for each sample are shown in a single report.

Comprehensive wet chemical analysis on a shared platform Metrohm is the only manufacturer providing instrumentation and software for all methods of ion analysis. With OMNIS, Metrohm has opened the door to comprehensive, multi-method ion analysis on a universal platform.

http://omnis.metrohm.com/en-za/index

FOOD & BEVERAGE

ENHANCE FOOD ANALYSIS WITH MILESTONE SAMPLE PREPARATION AND CLEAN CHEMISTRY

It is a common misconception that all laboratory microwave systems are alike. At Milestone, we know this is not true. Sample preparation is one of the most impactful steps in trace metals determination. The quality of analytical data obtained by ICP/ ICP/MS is directly reliant on digestion quality. Today, microwave technology in sample preparation has been established in a variety of industries, viz. Environmental, Food, Pharmaceutical, Agriculture, Consumer Product Testing, Specialty Chemicals, Geological, Mining, and many others.

Milestone’s sample preparation solutions maximise the AA/ ICP/ ICP-MS/ performance, and a lab's overall analytical capability.

The ETHOS UP fully embodies Milestone’s philosophy towards, and knowledge of, microwave sample preparation. Specifically designed for closed vessel acid digestion, it offers a perfect integration of microwave hardware, user interface, reaction sensor technology and pressure resistant vessels. The ETHOS UP is the most powerful system in the market, with two magnetrons and a total power of 1900 watts.

Milestone complements the sample preparation range with an equally impressive array of instruments for acid purification and acid cleaning of glassware. The Duo Pur distils analytical grade reagents to ultra-pure levels, thereby eliminating the long wait for critical chemicals.

The Trace Clean unit generates a fine mist that penetrates all corners of the vessel, resulting in ultra-clean glassware with very low blank values. The unsurpassed safety aspects of this system should make this investment a top priority for all labs that are concerned about the health and safety of their employees.

With Milestone and Metrohm, your lab workflow is optimised from beginning to end.

PRECISE TITRATORS FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE

In the food and beverage industry, ensuring consistency in both flavour and quality is paramount. METTLER TOLEDO’s Excellence line of titrators offer simplicity, efficiency, and modularity to meet the increasing demands of food and analytical laboratories. Preprogrammed titration methods and the welldesigned method editor feature allow for analyses in various industry segments.

Core precision

Titrators measure the concentration of a specific substance within a solution. METTLER TOLEDO’s Excellence Titrators are widely acknowledged for their exceptional precision in measuring acidity, pH levels, and various chemical components critical to flavour development. The precision achieved by Excellence titrators enables manufacturers to guarantee product quality, consistency, and optimal flavour, meeting the high standards expected by consumers, while complying to regulatory requirements.

Modular and versatile

Mettler Toledo Excellence titrators can be

customised to meet the specific requirements of different applications within the food and beverage industry. Whether it is monitoring acidity in beverages, assessing salt content in processed foods, or analysing the acidity of dairy products, the modular design allows for versatile usage, making them suitable to a wide range of production scenarios. The modular set-up allows for the addition of volumetric and coulometric Karl Fischer titration, conductivity measurements, and multiple ion standard addition, for example direct sodium determination, to be performed on the same instrument.

One Click interface

In the fast-paced environment of food and beverage manufacturing, time is a critical factor. Using the One Click interface, a userfriendly concept consistent across the entire

spectrum of auto titrators, proves invaluable. This intuitive interface enables users to personalise their home screens and create shortcut keys, streamlining the initiation of analyses and workflows. The One Click interface provides a simple and secure system, enabling efficient parallel titrations, and can switch between up to eight tasks running in parallel.

Automation for efficiency

Connecting a titrator to an InMotion autosampler and associated accessories results in flexible workflows, simplified operation, error prevention, and efficient analysis of sample information.

Error-free titration workflow

The integrated SmartSample reader in all titration Excellence instruments enables wireless data transfer from the balance to the titrator for samples, eliminating transcription errors and mix-ups. The SmartSample solution is therefore an intelligent choice for both single- and automated multi-sample titration.

LabX software

LabX titration software optimises titration and workflows in the laboratory. Users benefit from robust data storage and management capabilities. This feature not only simplifies the auditing process but also adds an extra layer of confidence in the reliability of the analytical results.

Rudy Maliepaard

Tel: 087 092 7300 rudy.maliepaard@microsep.co.za www.microsep.co.za

SAMPLE SIZE REDUCTION AND HOMOGENEITY USING

VARIOUS RETSCH

Food substances are analysed for mycotoxins, vitamins, GMO etc. to ensure they are safe for human consumption. This makes it crucial for food-testing labs to ensure their testing methods produce reliable results. Test methods like the PCR, XRF or NIR are critical analytical methods used in food analysis. Since only a small portion of the sample is tested, homogenising the sample to make it a true representation of the whole lab sample and the original sample is a topic of interest.

Retsch mills are used in the sample preparation for size reduction and homogenisation of the sample. This sample preparation enables laboratories to achieve results that have insignificant standard deviation and therefore are reliable and reproducible.

The sample feed size and the required final fineness determines the type of mill to be used. For example, when intending to analyse the fat content in sausages using the NMR spectroscopy in an oracle fat analyser. The sausages will first be dried by microwaveinduced drying with Smart 6, then cut into a feed size of about 20mm before milling in the

MILLS FOR FOOD ANALYSIS

GM300. Milling the sausages to less than 5mm and then milling to less than 0.3mm to test 4g each of the two samples (the coarse and fine sample). The fat content of the coarser fraction ranged from 14.85% to 17.12% with a standard deviation of 0.88%. When the fat content was

measured using the homogenised fraction of the sample, the standard deviation was significantly reduced to 0.07% with the fat content range of 15.84% to 16.02%.

Sample preparation before any food analysis is very important in quality assurance. The various Retsch mills enable homogenisation/pulverisation of food samples to the required analytical fineness with little time and effort. In this way, the homogenised sample is reliable and there is no need to have numerous test samples, as the results are reproducible and representative of the original bigger sample. The characteristics of the sample determine the mill and accessories that will be required in the sample preparation step.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

INNOVATE

Rapid microbial screening system

The Hygiena Innovate rapid microbial screening system is designed to meet the requirements of food and beverage manufacturers seeking fast, efficient, and safe product release. Whether screening raw materials, monitoring work-in-process inventory, or approving finished goods, the Innovate system is a great fit for packaged dairy, beverage, and food products where there is a low expectation of bio-burden. This is particularly relevant in the case of ultra-high temperature (UHT) or extended shelf-life (ESL) pasteurised products.

Rapid microbiological testing benefits

The Innovate system delivers accurate, objective, and confident results to ensure your manufacturing operations run at peak efficiency. Rapid microbial screening is easy to adopt and a smart strategy for dairy, beverage, and food companies. The Innovate system utilises adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence-based detection, offering a precise and rapid method that is ideal for screening dairy products, providing clear microbial absence/presence results. Results can be obtained in less than 30 minutes post pre-enrichment, with the ability to run 96 samples at once, with no secondary incubation needed.

Flexible, easy-to-use

The Innovate system is flexible and easy to use, even with hard-to-test product types. Exclusively compatible with validated

proprietary RapiScreen reagents, Innovate enables testing across a diverse product matrix, including UHT milks and creams, sauces, soups and broths, as well as juices and beverages.

Automated product sampling solution

The Innovate Autosampler III provides an added benefit as a high-volume automated sampling solution for high-throughput bottling and aseptic packaging facilities. This system streamlines the process of sampling products from various carton styles to the testing plate, increasing efficiency and consistency. Designed for flexibility, the Autosampler III can be customised for your specific workflow requirements.

NATIONAL SEPARATIONS (PTY) LTD

Frances Renwick Tel: 087 092 7300

Frances.Renwick@natsep.co.za www.natsep.co.za

SA FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY INVESTS IN METROHM

With

Metrohm has become the analytical partner of choice for many global and local companies.

AB Inbev, Pepsico, Microchem and Siqalo Foods are just a few of the many that recently invested in the latest Metrohm technology for a variety of chemical analyses.

This proves once more that Metrohm is your reliable partner in analysis. Please contact your nearest Metrohm office for more

information on our wide range of systems that cater for any budget without compromising quality or reliability.

METROHM SA (PTY) LTD

Tel: (011) 656 1918

CPT: (021) 852 0213

DBN: (031) 265 0067

Fax: (011) 656 2698

078 643 7113

info@metrohm.co.za

www.metrohm.co.za

IS MOISTURE SPOILING OR REDUCING THE SHELF LIFE OF YOUR PRODUCTS?

Reliable walk-away automation for serial volumetric Karl Fischer titration from Metrohm solves this problem

Automating volumetric titration in a whole series of samples used to be a challenge: firstly, there is the risk of ambient moisture compromising sample integrity, and secondly, there is the necessity to start the titration in due time for each sample. Both challenges required the attention and constant presence of the lab technician during the analysis. Not any longer, as with the OMNIS Sample Robot users may now analyse water content in up to 50 samples completely unattended.

The OMNIS Sample Robot features DisCover, a technology that covers the sample vials automatically with an air- and dust-proof lid, protecting them from ambient moisture, even for extended time periods. Users benefit from reliable, reproducible results.

The OMNIS Karl Fischer System no longer requires the presence of the user during the analysis, as the solvent addition and titration is started automatically by the system. Users may therefore dedicate their time to other tasks in

the laboratory while their samples are analysed for water content, completely unattended.

METROHM SA (PTY) LTD

Tel: (011) 656 1918

CPT: (021) 852 0213

DBN: (031) 265 0067

Fax: (011) 656 2698

078 643 7113

info@metrohm.co.za

www.metrohm.co.za

ENSURE GRAIN AND FEED QUALITY WITH RAPID MYCOTOXIN TESTING SOLUTIONS

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain fungi that can contaminate food and feed, posing serious health risks to humans and animals. Detecting and quantifying mycotoxins in grain and feed is crucial to ensure the quality and safety of these products. Waters offers mycotoxin testing solutions with the Vicam Vertu TOUCH lateral flow reader, which enables fast and accurate screening for major mycotoxins and glyphosate in various sample types.

Single, solvent-free sample extraction

Grain and feed quality managers can obtain fast, actionable results for aflatoxin, DON and fumonisin (and more) in inbound grains in just a few minutes. Vicam's Myco 5-in-1 PLUS strip tests, when paired with the Vertu TOUCH reader, offer a simple and eco-friendly testing approach. With just a 30-second water-based extraction, the Vertu TOUCH provides accurate and quantitative results for up to six major mycotoxins within ten minutes. This efficient method leads to a 77% reduction in time and consumables costs.

Critical quality data

Myco 5-in-1

PLUS strip tests and the Vertu TOUCH reader enable grain and feed managers to obtain critical quality data

before accepting raw materials into storage or processing. This allows for timely decisionmaking and prevents the use of contaminated materials, safeguarding livestock health and safety.

Simple & convenient

The Vertu TOUCH reader features a userfriendly touchscreen interface, making it easy to operate. Vertu TOUCH features intelligent, on-board calibration management, as well as multipoint data transfer and enterprise sharing capabilities, suitable for use in field, process, or laboratory testing environments.

Unique sample preparation tool

The Vertu PREP mixer is a specialised sample preparation tool that works in conjunction with the VICAM Vertu TOUCH reader and AQUA methods, including Afla-V, Afla-V ONE, Fumo-V, DON-V, Ochra-V, Zearala-V, and T2/HT2-V. This tool facilitates rapid extraction for mycotoxin testing in grains.

MICROSEP (PTY) LTD

Louis van Huyssteen

7300

Tel: 087 092

louis.vanhuyssteen@microsep.co.za

www.microsep.co.za

WEIGHING EQUIPMENT & BALANCES LABOTEC PRECISION BALANCE SERIES

Reliable, accurate and economical solutions for your lab

Labotec Precision Balance Series presents an economically crafted line of analytical balances, precision balances, benchtop scales, and moisture analysers tailored for general laboratory weighing needs. Crafted with a durable modular design, these high-quality balances ensure an efficient weighing experience across diverse applications.

Not only do they promise accuracy, reliability and repeatability, but they also boast an appealingly fresh blue design, adding a touch of modernity.

The series includes:

• Analytical Balance Range: Engineered with electromagnetic force

compensation for enhanced resolution, these balances deliver high performance, supporting capacities up to 500g and readabilities down to 0.1mg

• Top Loader Precision Balances: Userfriendly and equipped with high precision load cells, these balances offer capacities up to 6 000g, a remarkable stability time, and a small footprint, ensuring precise and efficient weighing

Top Loader Bench Scales: Ideal for warehouse, factory and laboratory use, these scales feature a larger stainless steel weighing pan and robust construction suitable for industrial settings. With capacities reaching 33kg, they provide reliable weighing solutions without compromising simplicity of operation

• MT Range Moisture Analysers: Addressing moisture analysis needs across industries, this range simplifies the process with a halogen lamp, ensuring uniform heating for dependable results. Offering a readability of up to 0.01% and a 110g capacity, these analysers cater to a wide spectrum of moisture analysis requirements

Labotec Precision Series stands as a testament to Labotec'scommitment to delivering dependable,accurate and cost-effective solutions,ensuring reliability and precision in every weighing application.

AUTOMATED WEIGHING OF POWDER AND LIQUIDS

The XPR automatic balance from METTLER TOLEDO delivers precise, efficient, and consistent weighing processes. The XPR balance offers a standalone solution for basic weighing, powder dispensing and liquid dispensing, all consolidated into a single instrument. It is well-suited for both pharma and non-pharma industries where applications such as quality control, capsule filling and screening/formulation play an integral role.

The XPR automatic balance combines all the benefits of automated dispensing with advanced weighing technologies, minimising out-of-specification (OSS) errors by 50%, and mitigating the need for costly reworking. Weighing small amounts of substance is now considerably faster, as automated dispensing reduces the minimum net sample weight by up to 30%. Save costs by using less of your expensive or rare samples.

Efficient and safe

Operating the XPR automatic balance is userfriendly and requires no special training. Automated dispensing protects the operator from potential exposure to toxic and chemically aggressive substances.

Precise concentrations

Utilising a liquid dispensing module, the XPR automatic balance enables you to prepare highly precise concentrations as low as 0.1mg/g in a single step. The balance calculates the exact solvent quantity needed, based on the amount of substance dosed to

produce the target concentration, in a fast, accurate and cost-effective manner.

Increased productivity and throughput

Simply add a sample changer to the XPR automatic balance and dispense solids and liquids into up to 30 containers in one fully automated run. Connect the XPR automatic balance to LabX software for comprehensive data management capabilities and userfriendly guidance.

XPR Excellence Analytical Balances Go Beyond Weighing

Create a solution to meet your exact requirements with XPR Excellence Analytical balances and accessories.

• Valid Results - Intelligent quality assurance functions ensure accurate results.

• Easy Automation - Optional modules allow you to quickly upgrade your balance to provide automated powder and/or liquid dosing.

• Static-Detect Technology - Combined with the ionizer module guarantees static-free weighing.

• Effortless Data Integrity - LabX software helps you meet FDA ALCOA+ requirements.

Request More Info

Tel: + 27 87 092 7300

e-mail: info@microsep.co.za

www.microsep.co.za

NANOPARTICLES

Miniature building blocks for medicines, electronics, cosmetics, and many other products we use and consume on a daily basis

Nanoscale materials have a larger surface area-to-volume ratio than bulk materials and can have more reactivity with increasing surface area per volume. In taking advantage of such properties, better catalysts can be created, for example the catalytic converter in a car that cleans the exhaust and leads to cleaner air in the environment.

In studying the size (and shape) of the nanomaterials, engineers are capitalising on the property of increased reactivity at the nanoscale to design better batteries, fuel cells, and catalysts for cleaner and safer energy generation and storage systems, thereby contributing towards lowering the impact on the environment and improving sustainability.

Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) technology is imperative in characterising particle sizes of materials in the nano range and is suitable for a variety of applications in pharmaceuticals, colloids, microemulsions, polymers, industrial minerals, inks – the list is extensive. Our Nanotrac Wave II (includes Zeta Potential analysis), Nanotrac Wave II Q and Nanotrac FLEX range for DLS measurements are ideal for such applications.

+27 (0)10

612

0141

megan@verder-scientific.co.za

www.verder-scientific.com

BUCHI ENCAPSULATOR

Pioneering simplification for microencapsulation technology

The innovative simplicity of the BUCHI

Encapsulator marks a significant leap in the realm of microencapsulation technology, paving the way for expanded applications across various industries. Historically, the limitations in suitable production techniques hindered the creation of microcapsules with desired characteristics, constraining advancements in numerous fields.

For manufacturers, this breakthrough heralds the arrival of new products, enhancements to existing ones by introducing fresh functionalities, and in some cases, a complete redefinition of commodities. The ability to infuse new functionalities into products stands out as a crucial facet, prolonging product life cycles, and bolstering market presence, all without necessitating the development of entirely new items.

Encapsulate your innovations with BUCHI

Encapsulator B-390 and B-395 Pro

Unlock the potential of your valuable active compounds with the advanced Encapsulator series from BUCHI Labortechnik AG. Purposebuilt for immobilising enzymes, drugs, flavours, fragrances, vitamins, oils, cells or microbes within a versatile range of polymers, including alginate, carrageen, cellulose sulfate, chitosan, gelatin, pectin and waxes. These devices enable a spectrum of applications, from controlled release and protective systems to functional group coatings, enhancing capsule stability, dosage precision, and storage efficiency.

The technology behind these units ensures

the production of uniform capsules and beads, all based on the principle of breaking a laminar liquid jet into equally sized droplets through superimposed vibration. Choose droplet diameters ranging from 0.15mm to 2mm, maintaining a spherical shape and impressively narrow size distribution (< 5% standard deviation).

The thoughtful benchtop design and innovative technology of the Encapsulator B-390 and B-395 Pro make them ideal for evaluating encapsulation during early-stage product development. These devices facilitate feasibility studies in pharmaceutical and food R&D laboratories, as well as academic research.

Here are some key advantages:

• Gentle Encapsulation Conditions: Suitable for animal cell encapsulation at room temperature and physiological conditions, ensuring full viability of encapsulated living material

• Reproducible Bead Formation and Realtime Control: Maintain consistency and precise process monitoring for optimal outcomes

Sterile Handling: Utilise autoclavable reaction vessels for sterile containment, ensuring stringent hygiene standards

User-Friendly Interface and Diverse Applications: Enjoy ease of use and explore a wide variety of applications to suit diverse research needs

• Simple Installation and Intuitive Operation: Quick setup and easy learning

curve make these units accessible for seamless operation

With the Encapsulator B-390 and B-395 Pro, harness the power of mild encapsulation conditions, precision, and versatile capabilities to drive innovation in your research and product development endeavours.

AT NANO LEVEL

In recent years, electrochemical techniques are being used increasingly to characterise biosensors and biochemical processes. Electrochemical techniques are being applied for the study of protein-electrode interfaces, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), and surfactant films.

Voltammetric, electrochemical and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) techniques allow rapid, in-situ measurement of adsorption and kinetic processes on the sub-millisecond timescale. The electrochemistry-based biosensors allow in-vivo measurements of active species, resulting in rapid diagnostics and development of new drugs.

The following modules are available for different experiments:

FRA32M – Characterisation of biosensors

• ECD – Low currents for microelectrode applications

• Multi BA – Simultaneous measurements on up to six working electrodes

• EQCM – Monitoring of bio-molecular interactions

The following accessories are available for different experiments:

Reference and counter electrodes

• Normal cells

• Faraday cage RDE

Various software methods are present to allow you to capture and present your data in a meaningful format. These are:

• Cyclic voltammetry – Identification of kinetic processes Chrono-amperometry, Chronopotentiometry – Identification of kinetic processes/measurement of charge

• Voltammetric methods – Detection and quantitative analysis on sensors

• Potentiometric stripping analysis –Quantitative analysis on microelectrodes Impedance spectroscopy – Measurements at open circuit potential or applied potential

Tafel slope – Automatic calculation of kinetic rate constants

• Fit and Simulation – Fitting of complex equivalent circuits

Vionic key features:

• Combination of electrochemistry with SPR measurements is possible

• ECD module allows measurement of very small signals on microelectrodes

• Multi BA module allows simultaneous measurements on up to six electrodes

• Preprogrammed voltammetric methods and data analysis tools

The possibility to control pump valves combined with voltammetric methods and data analysis tools makes the automation of a measurement sequence easy

METROHM HYPHENATED EC-RAMAN BATTERY SOLUTION RENEWABLE ENERGY

An Autolab modular PGSTAT302N with an Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) module installed, and a B&W Tek i-Raman Plus 532 H System, are the foundations of this system. Depending on your cell size and design, you can add either a B&W Tek Raman Video MicroSampling System (532 nm), or the B&W Tek Raman Probe Holder.

Get ready to track age-induced structural changes, electrolyte decomposition, and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation with your EC-Raman Battery Solution.

It is easy to get started and see instant results, all with an instrument you can upgrade as your research progresses.

• Two editable hyphenated EC-Raman procedures for the NOVA software, as well as the BWSpec software for extended data analysis

• An electrochemical workstation with high accuracy EIS

• Future-proof your research with the ability to add up to seven additional modules post-installation

Choose, depending on your cell size, either a B&W Tek Raman Video Microsampling System (532 nm), or the B&W Tek Raman Probe Holder. B&W Tek Raman Video Microsampling System (532 nm) can accommodate cells up to 30mm high. B&W Tek Raman Probe Holder can accommodate large battery-dedicated EC-Raman cells.

METROHM

Tel: (011) 656 1918

CPT: (021) 852 0213

DBN: (031) 265 0067

Fax: (011) 656 2698

info@metrohm.co.za

www.metrohm.co.za

OXYGEN/NITROGEN ANALYSIS OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERY COMPONENTS

Using ELTRA ELEMENTRAC ONH-p 2

Lithium-based batteries are a critical pillar within the renewable energy sector and are vital to modern-day energy storage systems. They can safely store large amounts of energy, ensuring stable and predictable flows of electricity where electricity supply from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, would otherwise be intermittent.

This has led to a significant research effort into the development of new electrode materials with improved volumetric and specific capacity, cycle life and rate capability, which do not compromise safety.

Accordingly, lithium-based batteries often incorporate silicon nitride as part of the electrode system. In such systems, varying concentrations of nitrogen and oxygen may influence battery performance, thus accurate determination of these elements is essential.

In contrast to spectrometric techniques like spark OES or XRF, which only measure the element concentration at the surface, the ELEMENTRAC series analysers examine the complete sample by combustion or inert gas fusion. This analysis principle ensures a safe

and reliable analysis from the lower ppm up to the higher percentage ranges.

The ELEMENTRAC ONH-p 2 is perfectly suited for precise measurements of both elements. The highly sensitive detectors used in ELTRA elemental analysers accurately determine low element concentration ranges, ensuring reliability and traceability in both quality control and research labs.

WASTE MANAGEMENT & CLEANING TECHNOLOGIES

USE ATP TESTING TO VERIFY CLEANLINESS

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) systems play a vital role in ensuring food safety and maintaining quality control standards. A substantial portion of quality control costs is linked to the daily testing of ATP and other microorganisms. Therefore, choosing the correct ATP system is essential for the success of an environmental monitoring program.

Hygiena offers a range of quality monitoring systems to quickly and efficiently test surfaces to ensure they are clean. These sanitisation monitoring systems can collect, analyse and report data from multiple quality tests such ATP, microorganisms and enzymes. Using stateof-the-art technology and patented designs, these ATP systems deliver simplicity, flexibility and accuracy.

EnSURE Touch luminometer

The EnSURE Touch Hygiena stands out as the

most intuitive luminometer on the market, and the perfect solution for all your food safety and environmental quality control requirements. This advanced monitoring system allows you to accurately prove the effectiveness of your facility’s cleaning verification and infection prevention measures, making it ideal for industries such as food and beverage manufacturing, healthcare, food service and hospitality.

Flexible and powerful

EnSURE Touch is not just an ATP meter, it incorporates powerful features and serves as the central component of a complete environmental monitoring solution. EnSURE Touch supports various test methods, including ATP, indicator organisms, enzymes, pathogens, and allergens, making it the most versatile system for a wide range of applications. Wi-Fi

capability allows results to easily sync to cloudbased data analysis software, giving you a complete 360-degree view of your food safety or environmental program.

Minimal size, maximum durability

EnSURE Touch is small in size, sleek yet durable. Its rugged design ensures the safety of the system even in the harshest environments. For extra protection, each system comes with a complementary carrying case and shoulder strap, for hands-free transportation to test different locations within your facility.

NATIONAL SEPARATIONS (PTY) LTD

Frances Renwick

Tel: 087 092 7300

Frances.Renwick@natsep.co.za

www.natsep.co.za

Turbilatex®

A quantitative immundiagnostic method.

The Turbilatex® reagents permit a high-sensitivity detection method to be obtained, detecting and quantifying antigens present in the body

Products:

Calprotectin Turbilatex

FOB Turbilatex

Transferrin Turbilatex H. pylori Turbilatex

Features:

High quality and reliability

Concentration of the specific antigen will be determined with high accuracy

Clearness

The simplicity of the reaction implies low technical manipulation

The turbidimetric assay is based on the agglutination reaction between antibodycoated latex particles and the antigen in solution.

Pancreatic Elastase

Sample type: Stool

C-Reactive Protein

Instrument/ automation: The present Chemistry instrument in your lab can be adapted to use Turbilatex reagents.

Easy sampling

It’s a complete system from sampling to results, starting and finishing with the patient

Automatism

User interpretation is not needed thank you to the high level of automation of the Turbilatex®.

Adaptable Turbilatex® reagents work with any equipment.

Turbidimetric technique:

Polystyrene latex particles coated with antibodies

Antigens in stool sample

Antigen-antibody reaction

The use of faecal haemoglobin in deciding which patients in primary care require further investigation

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350354746%20

https:/www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/3/721

FASTER S.r.l. LIFE SCIENCES

FASTER S.r.l., based in Italy, is one of the leading European manufacturers of a wide range of Laminar Airflow and related technologies. FASTER's commercial, marketing and engineering offices are located in Cornaredo (Milan) and production facilities in Cornaredo and Ferrara. FASTER's strategy is to maintain and improve its presence in all market segments by supplying top-quality instruments.

All our products are designed to meet the requirements of the latest International Standards. Current production includes laminar airflow cabinets and microbiological safety cabinets, chemical fume hoods, cytotoxic drug safety cabinets, cabinets for special applications, customisations and bespoke units, isolators for cytotoxic applications

and sterility tests, pharma industry laminar airflow systems, and laboratory furniture. inqaba biotec has partnered with FASTER S.r.l. to distribute these airflow cabinets to sub-Saharan Africa.

Feel free to contact your local Inqaba representative at main office on info@ inqababiotec.co.za

You Keep Winning with Us

INQABA BIOTECHNICAL INDUSTRIES (PTY) LTD

SOUTH AFRICA-HQ

Tel: +27 12 343 5829 info@inqababiotec.co.za www.inqababiotec.co.za

VWR KARL FISCHER REAGENTS

A classic titration method in chemical analysis using coulometric or volumetric titration to determine trace amounts of water in a sample.

Advantages

• Ready-to-use solutions, reagents, and standards for volumetric and coulometric analysis

• Buffered systems for controlled pH

• Long-term stability and shelf life; every batch verified

• Highly accurate and precise method

• Specific to water determination Does not require large samples

• Fast analysis

• Nearly unlimited measurement range (from 1ppm to 100%)

• Can determine moisture content of a sample in any state, whether it is a solid, liquid or gas

MONITORING AND CONTROL

LABORATORIES (PTY) LTD

Tel: (011) 608 4664 sales@moncon.co.za

www.moncon.co.za

Scientific Benefits:

• No cross-contamination

• Analysis of multiple samples in parallel

• Multiple detection of separated analytes

• Reproducible analysis and reliable quantification

• Separation of complex mixtures; matrix tolerances

• Fingerprint analysis for analyte and mixture identification

• Sample application onto plate allows for visual inspection of everything

• Coupling to Mass Spectrometry

Financial Benefits:

• Swiss Quality and Robustness

• Reduced maintenance and qualification costs

• Analysis from an easy entry level to expert mode

• Low cost per sample analysis; 15 samples analysed at one go

• Solution for multiple analytical questions with one instrument setup

Strategic Benefits:

• Established, robust and trusted technology

• Know what you do – no surprises, ease of use

• Start small and become an industry leader through modular upgrade

• HPTLC PRO supports your digital journey

CAMAG designs TLC/HPTLC instrumentation for each process step to standardise the workflow and to simplify the processes

Bruno Steiner Lab Consultancy is a level 2BBBEE Contributor

LIFE SCIENCES

BSLC AT THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE AFRICAN PHYTOMEDICINE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY

After many meetings and deliberations on the gaps identified in African medicinal plant research, Professor Namrita Lall and her medicinal plant science research team have taken action. The need for a focussed phytomedicinal collaborative platform that aims to connect African researchers with industry professionals and Traditional Health Practitioners, foster scientific alliance, and facilitate the transfer of knowledge and equipment is the innovative principle on which the African Phytomedicine Scientific Society (APSS) is based.

The African Phytomedicine Scientific Society aims to serve as a collaborative African research network on medicinal plants and natural products, to serve as a platform to represent Africa’s rich biodiversity and world-class roleplayers in the natural products chain. The vision and mission of the society is to stimulate and facilitate the interaction of African phytomedicinal researchers with other roleplayers in the natural products chain, to foster new scientific developments in ethnopharmacology and natural products research, to expand regional research capacities, and finally to facilitate networking and the exchange of research platforms.

The society encourages the participation of all roleplayers in the natural products chain. From the initial ethnobotanical selection of medicinal plants by Traditional Health Practitioners to the final stage of pharmaceutical development by industry representatives, APSS encompasses a multidisciplinary effort to provide, to connect and to promote phytomedicinal research and development in Africa.

The 1st International Congress of the African Phytomedicine Scientific Society, which took place at the prestigious University of Pretoria on the 9th to 10th of November 2023, has been a resounding success. This milestone event brought together a diverse assembly of over 90 esteemed researchers, practitioners and enthusiasts from across the globe, representing over 10 countries and united by a common passion for advancing phytomedicine in the African context.

Bruno Steiner Lab Consultancy (BSLC) was proud to serve as a sponsor at this congress. It was an opportunity to support the success of the envisioned goals of the congress and to foster advancements in phytomedicine. BSLC partnership with APSS allowed for a shared commitment in promoting scientific collaboration, knowledge exchange, and

innovation in the field. By supporting this prestigious event, BSLC contributed to the robust platform that the congress provides for researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts from around the world. As a sponsor, BSLC seeks to catalyse discussions, facilitate networking opportunities, and empower the collective efforts of the African Phytomedicine Scientific Society in shaping the future of phytomedicine research and development. They believe that investing in such initiatives is pivotal for driving positive transformations in healthcare and wellness, aligning with their dedication to excellence in providing high-tech laboratory instrumentation and scientific progress.

BSLC aims to play an important role in the success of these future endeavours. One of these events will be taking place in Cape Town in October 2024. The joint meeting of the 23rd International Congress of the International Society for Ethnopharmacology and the 2nd International Congress of the African Phytomedicine Scientific Society (ISE-APSS 2024) will be proudly hosted by the University of Pretoria from 23 to 26 October 2024, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre,

most complex Next Generation Sequencing workflows.

Cape Town, South Africa. The theme of the congress is “The footprint of ethnopharmacology in drug discovery”. The aim of the congress will be to build collaborative and networking opportunities between national and international institutions and showcase the academic merit of research being conducted on the African continent, with the objective to establish multidisciplinary collaborations within the field of ethnopharmacology and to potentially provide access to important infrastructure that may not be available at African institutions. This would aid in improving the quality and impact of the research conducted in Africa by ensuring new technologies are implemented and established to prove the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants and natural products.

sample preparation is a labour-intensive process, which requires experience, precision and accuracy to generate high-quality NGS libraries. Automating Next Generation Sequencing library preparation eliminates the risk of pipetting errors, provides reproducible results and increases your productivity.

Eppendorf automated liquid handling solution - epMotion combines automated liquid handling and unique software features with the accessories and high-

quality consumables you need for reliable Next Generation Sequencing library preparation and maximum NGS kit flexibility. A vast list of automated Next Generation Sequencing sample prep methods has been qualified by kit manufacturers and customers to deliver sequencing results that are comparable to or better than those from manual preparation. In addition, an intuitive software interface allows for ease-of-use and rapid method design, while providing the needed flexibility to optimise even the

The same system can be used for realtime PCR set-up, magnetic bead-based purification, cell-based assays or any routine pipetting tasks. Contact us now on info@inqababiotec. co.za to equip your laboratory with good quality and ergonomically designed products.

Exhibition Area during the 1st International Congress of the African Phytomedicine Scientific Society (APSS)

At The Bruno Steiner Lab Consultancy Exhibition Stand (from left to right): Mrs Yvonne Steiner with Prof. Namrita Lall (Host of the 1st International APSS 2023 Congress)

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BUYER’S GUIDE

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Analytical Reporter is the premier laboratory equipment journal, and is recognised internationally

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42 years

ULTRAPURE WATER FOR GENOMICS AND OTHER LIFE SCIENCES RESEARCH

Water is a solvent, so make sure it’s pure

How to combat DNA/RNA contamination, microbial/bacterial growth, and endotoxins When undertaking any life sciences research in fields such as genomics/genetics, it is important to maintain rigorous standards at every stage of the analysis process. With the incredible pace of progress, there lies the challenge to avoid any contamination of DNA/ RNA, ensure endotoxins are removed, and prevent microbial and bacterial growth, such as the formation of biofilms.

An easy solution is to use high-quality reagents, such as ultrapure water. Water is often the most basic and widely used of all solvents, and it is in maintaining rigorous standards to ensure the purity of your water in sample handling that affects the reliability and integrity of research outcomes.

The ELGA PURELAB range is the ideal solution, providing unmatched value, proven reliability, and consistent reproducibility.

Delivering up to three types of laboratory water, PURELAB systems will support every application in your R&D laboratory.

The complete solution for your R&D / QC laboratory from ELGA LabWater that features:

• Ensured reliability and reproducibility through contaminant-free ultrapure water, ideal for genomic/genetic applications

• Low RNase, DNase ultrapure water ideal for sensitive genetic applications

Built-in or bolt-on POU filtration removes bacteria and endotoxins

• Cutting-edge Purification Technologies including reverse osmosis, activated carbon filtration, UV photo-oxidation, and final filtration

Simple to operate and maintain with easyto-change consumables, periodic recirculation, and a simple, preprogrammed sanitisation process

• Designed for labs where space is premium. Choose from a range of installations to meet your requirements. PURELAB systems can sit on and under a bench, or mount on a wall

LABOTEC (PTY) LTD

JHB: (011) 315 5434

CPT: (021) 531 7660

DBN: (031) 566 4870

sales@labotec.co.za

www.labotec.co.za

METTLER TOLEDO provides high-quality

Rainin liquid-handling equipment for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, analytical and life science applications. The comprehensive Rainin product line includes a broad range of ergonomic pipettes, pipette tips, highthroughput pipetting systems, as well as pipette management and calibration services, ensuring precise and accurate results. Designed of exceptional quality and innovative design, the range includes a diverse selection of single-channel, multichannel, and specialty pipettes, available in both manual and electronic versions.

Enhanced pipette ergonomics

Rainin XLS+ pipettes feature the LiteTouch System (LTS) and represent an intelligent advance in both functionality and ergonomic design. LTS ensures user safety and provides the most straightforward and refined solution for achieving a perfect tip seal and effortless tip ejection with minimal physical effort. Delivering both comfort and high performance, XLS+ pipettes are not only lightweight, but also well-balanced and substantial. They boast a world-class fit, feel and finish, ensuring a superior pipetting experience even after extended use.

RFID technology

Rainin pipettes are equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, offering a comprehensive pipette management solution. Pipettes featuring integrated RFID chips provide a flexible and cost-effective method to simplify and streamline calibration tracking and compliance management.

Maximise accuracy

METTLER TOLEDO's unique Good Pipetting Practice (GPP) is a thorough and systematic risk-based approach aimed at maximising both accuracy and repeatability in pipetting.

GPP covers many topics relevant to life science researchers, or anyone using pipettes regularly.

Specialised liquid handling

For special applications and difficult liquids, Rainin offers specialised high-quality tools to optimise liquid transfer. Whether it is positivedisplacement and repeater pipettes, serological pipette controllers, or largevolume liquid dispense tools, we have the ideal solution for your liquid handling needs. Rainin’s 96 and 384-well high-throughput pipetting systems deliver speed, simplicity, and exceptional performance.

Pipette management

Rainin presents robust, integrated solutions with SmartCheck, SmartStand and PipetteX asset management software.

These offerings not only streamline your pipette management but also revolutionise the entire process.

NATIONAL SEPARATIONS (PTY) LTD

Frances Renwick

Tel: 087 092 7300

Frances.Renwick@natsep.co.za

www.natsep.co.za

a division of Air and Vacuum Technologies (Pty) Ltd

011 318 3241/2/3/4

JHB: 066 133 2970

CPT: 082 576 9372

KZN: 082 576 9372

E-mail: info@vactech.co.za instrulab1@vactech.co.za reception@vactech.co.za burnm@vactech.co.za www.vactech.co.za

Bruker South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Telephone:

Fax: +27 (0)11 463 6289

Email: info.za@bruker.com

Web: www.bruker.com

Tel:

Fax:

Tel:

Email:

Website:

www.analyticalsolutions.co.za

Davies Diagnostics (Pty) Ltd

We offer EXTRAordinary service to all laboratories. Our staff is technically qualified to offer full technical support of all our products.

Our product range covers microbiology, haematology, virology, immunology, serology, blood transfusion, molecular biology, immunohistochemistry and general laboratory products.

PO Box 3222

Randburg

2125

Tel: +27 11 777 7600

Fax: +27 11 787 6917

Email: mkt@daviesdiag.co.za

www.daviesdiagnostics.co.za

Your accredited service provider for:

- Calibration

- Validation & Qualification

- Technical Inspection

Official agent for:

ISO/IEC 17025:2017

www.labcalsolutions.com

T: +27 11 466 4145 E: admin@labcal.co.za

We provide innovative technology for your most challenging samples, including instruments for analytical, separation, and metallographic science as well as complete line of consumable products.

Tel: +27 11 974 1681

Fax: +27 11 974 1848

Cell: +27 82 771 7083

www.lecoafrica.co.za

Head office Tel: 011 615 6076

Durban Tel: 031 701 2711

Cape Town Tel: 021 946 1722

Port Elizabeth Tel: (010) 447 1866

Website: www.hanna.co.za

E-mail: hanna@hanna.co.za

Labotec is your guarantee of WORLD CLASS LAB EQUIPMENT with South African based after-sales service and support

Tel: +27 11 315 5434

Fax: +27 11 315 5882 sales@labotec.co.za www.labotec.co.za

Your solution provider of certified and analytical reference materials, pharmaceutical impurity - and drug standards, biological standards, profieciency testing schemes and Fusion Equipment

Tel: (011) 466 4321 sales.za@lgcgroup.com www.lgcstandards.com

Email: info.laf@liebherr.com

Web: www.liebherr.com

YOUR

PROVIDING

Our extensive sourcing network and long-term partnerships with leading international manufacturers means you can get the highest quality product at the most competitive price.

agents for: CEM Microwave and Teledyne Cetac Technologies

M.A.D TECHNOLOGY (PTY)LTD

Tel: +27 11 797 3660

Fax: +27 11 797 3670

Cell: +27 82 803 4484

bruce@madtech.co.za

www.madtech.co.za

Microsep distributes and supports market-leading brands in southern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

We offer the sale and support of technologically advanced scientific and analytical instrumentation, laboratory and industrial weighing equipment. Our focus is to provide high quality products and innovative solutions to satisfy the needs of our customers in the general laboratory, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food and beverage, chemical and petro-chemical, environmental and industrial markets. Industry leading brands include Waters and Mettler Toledo.

Johannesburg | Cape Town | Durban | Gqeberha

Tel. 087 092 7300

Email: info@microsep.co.za

www.microsep.co.za

2 Saturn Crescent, Linbro Business Park Frankenwald Ext. 30 Sandton, 2090

We are a BBBEE subsidiary of Metrohm-AG. Our market-leading products are produced in Switzerland and other European countries thereby guaranteeing you the highest accuracy and reliability. We supply lab and on-line process monitoring analysers for:

pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, Titration / Karl Fischer, Ion chromatography, Electrochemistry, Raman and NIR spectroscopy.

Milestone: microwave sample preparation, acid purification systems and direct mercury analysers.

Biosystems: wine / juice / food analysers & reagents.

Gauteng: 011 656 1918

Kwazulu Natal: 031 265 0067

Western Cape: 021 852 0213

E-mail: info@metrohm.co.za www.metrohm.com/en_za

National Separations (NATSEP) partners with global leading biotechnology and diagnostic companies to provide general laboratory equipment, lab and process filtration technologies, water purification systems, rapid microbiological and contamination monitoring products in southern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Market leading product brands include Amazon Filters, Hygiena Diagnostics, Rephile BioScience, Saint-Gobain and Avantor Bioprocess for all industries. Sartorius products for the Food and Beverage market.

Johannesburg | Cape Town | Durban | Gqeberha

Tel. +27 87 092 7300

Email: sales@natsep.co.za

www.natsep.co.za

Gas generator solutions

Contact us:

+27 (0) 21 851 6542

with a cost e ective, reliable, eco-friendly and safe alternative to gas bottles.

peakafrica@peakscientific.com www.peakscientific.com

SSS is a highly specialised company dedicated to offering superior support in niche markets in Chromatography and related disciplines. SSS is an OEM distributor for Vici and an accredited distributor for all Varian consumables; Vici Valves and GC Detectors; Precision Sampling Syringes; ChromPerfect Data Systems; Hamilton Syringes; SGE Syringes & Supplies; National Scientific Vials, Septa, Syringe Filters, Caps etc; Bohlender Teflon Products; GL Science Leak Detectors; Specialised and Refurbished Instruments; Capillary Columns; Solid Phase Extraction; Nikepal Syringes. Training is a priority at SSS and regular hands-on courses are offered. The range is expanding annually and SSS also manufactures specialised Inlet Systems for sample introduction of gases and semi-gaseous mixtures.

Tel: +2711 476 8065 | www.ssscc.co.za

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