Analytical Reporter March/ April 2024

Hanna ALKALINITY Titrator Combo

HI931-ALK

HI931-02 Potentiometric titrator with single pump, one input analog board and HI10438 Refillable Double Junction pH Electrode with BNC Connector.

How is Alkalinity Measured: Alkalinity is measured with a process called titration. An acid of known strength, called a titrant, is added to the water.

Why is Alkalinity in Water Important?

Alkalinity is important for the health and welfare of ecosystems, marine life, and humans.

HI931-02

HI10438

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

Conservation needs laboratories

Dear Reader

I have just returned from a trip to the magnificent Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

I had the pleasure of visiting Victoria Falls Safari Lodge where, every day at lunchtime, a professional guide takes visitors down to a viewing platform to see wild vultures feeding on leftover meat scraps and bones from nearby restaurants. Guests get to watch as hundreds of vultures descend en masse to the ‘restaurant’, and learn more about the plight of vultures across Africa and the crucial role they play in our ecosystem. This has all been made possible by the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, which has recently partnered with local tour operator Africa Albida Tourism to create a ‘Vulture Culture Experience’: a conservation project that strives to protect endangered vultures and educate visitors. A small donation is given to the Trust for each lunch that is purchased at the AAT Vulture Culture restaurant, which helps to support vulture conservation research.

I also learned that the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust laboratory is the only wildlife disease and forensics laboratory in the KAZA region. The KAZA TFCA (Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area) is enormous, larger than Germany and Austria combined. It lies in the Kavango and Zambezi river basins where Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe converge.

In recent times, a marked decline of many species of vultures has been seen. Poaching of these iconic birds through mass poisoning has led to major die-offs throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, power lines are also a key factor in the loss of many birds. Losses of vultures increases the spread of diseases such as rabies and anthrax, which can have devastating effects on other

wildlife populations. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has now listed all the species of vultures found in Zimbabwe as either Endangered or Critically Endangered. The single largest threat to vultures in Zimbabwe is the malicious poisoning of wildlife.

Vultures are affected by poisoning in several ways: illegal poaching for wildlife trophies has recently become more sophisticated, with poachers now using cyanide and agricultural poisons as less conspicuous alternatives to firearms. Vultures can be unintentionally poisoned this way as they scavenge on poisoned meat. But, more commonly, vulture poisoning is intentional: circling vultures are great sentinels for poached carcasses and can alert wildlife authorities to the crime scene, so poachers will often lace wildlife carcasses with poison to cover their tracks. A single poisoned elephant can kill hundreds of vultures, and this can have a huge cascading impact on vulture populations.

Recent increases in poisoning incidents and human developments such as power lines has led to many sick, injured and orphaned vultures in the area. The Trust is in the process of trying to secure funding to build a permanent aviary facility to be able to accommodate these iconic birds when they come in for rehabilitation. The goal is to be able to return the rehabilitated birds back to the wild when possible. The Trust hopes to establish a long-term care facility to handle these cases. Vultures, like many raptors, need to be able to build up muscle mass to fly large distances. This aviary would improve rehabilitation success of these birds back into the wild.

A key aspect to conserving these magnificent birds is to determine population numbers of each species, and important areas for breeding.

In Northwest Zimbabwe, the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust has been working with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority since 2014 to undertake population surveys of vulture nesting sites, numbers and species during breeding seasons. This research data will provide baseline information to assist local wildlife authorities in making conservation management decisions on how to improve the conservation status of vultures in the region.

In addition to the population survey, the Trust, working together with South African NPO VulPro, has initiated a project to monitor the spatial movements of vultures. As these magnificent birds travel over large distances in conservation areas, they play vital roles in these areas as sentinels for poaching and clean-up crews for disease, and they play an important role in biodiversity.

If you would like to help conserve these amazing animals, you can do so by sponsoring a solar tracking unit. Each unit will be fitted on a bird and the movements of this animal will be closely monitored. One unit costs approximately $3 500. Or donate urgently needed lab equipment! https://vicfallswildlifetrust.org/donate/

Behind every laboratory is a worthy cause.

Until next time,

Sami

Source : https://vicfallswildlifetrust.org/projects/vultureconservation/

www.vicfallswildlifetrust.org

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BRUNO STEINER LAB CONSULTANCY AT SAAB CONFERENCE 2024

South African Association of Botanists (SAAB) Conference 2024 was hosted at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal from 7-11 January 2024 at The University of Zululand, Department of Agriculture in association with the Department of Botany.

The 49th SAAB Conference theme was: ‘Ukunakekela Umhlaba Ukuze Usimamise Okukhulayo’ (‘Nurturing the Earth for Sustainable Growth’), which encapsulates the colossal, intrinsic value of nurturing the earth.

The SAAB annual conference has been sustained for over 40 years - founded in 1976, the inaugural conference was held in Pretoria in 1978. Thereafter, the conference has been conducted within South Africa in several locations, thus providing an opportunity for plant science researchers, students, and professionals to collaborate in discussion to share their research findings, exchange ideas, and cooperate on new initiatives. At The University of Zululand, The Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Department of Botany, were thrilled to host this prestigious conference for the first time.

The conference focused on a range of topics impacting on African and South African plant science research. Bruno Steiner Lab Consultancy (BSLC) was honoured to be given an opportunity to

exhibit its product offerings. The key products within this conference were the CAMAG fully automated TLC/HPTLC for Plant Analysis (Medicinal Plants) and the AIS (Advion-Interchim Scientific) Compact Mass Spectrometer (CMS). HPTLC is fairly simple, inexpensive, rapid, extremely flexible and provides visual results (not only peaks) such as colour to determine the compounds found within plants. Fingerprinting is also a key functionality within CAMAG TLC/HPTLC for comparative identification of the raw materials, extracts and finished products. The TLC/HPTLC system can be connected to AIS CMS to determine the m/z ratio of the component of interest.

All participants and guests of the SAAB Conference 2024 were spoiled with a game drive within Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. Well done to The University of Zululand for hosting a successful SAAB Conference 2024.

CONFIDENT IDENTIFICATION WITH ALMOST 1 000

Our library does the work for you

That’s the benefit of the new Comprehensive USP Raman Libraryprepared by Metrohm’s Raman experts, created for Metrohm’s compliant Raman instruments.

The use of this spectral collection of >900 reference standards, built according to US drug compendial standards, ensures that safe, high-quality medicines make their way to consumers.

The Comprehensive USP Library is our largest collection of chemicals and

substances that are traceable to a USPcompliant certificate of analysis (COA). An in-house library can be made specific to either 785 or 1064 nm excitation, and is tailored to the exact spectral range and y-calibration of Raman instruments from Metrohm.

This results in the highest-quality data that provide the ease of identification with the accuracy of verification. Keep this in mind during discussions of specificity.

Mrs Yvonne Steiner and Prof Nontuthuko Rosemary Ntuli (Host of SAAB Conference 2024, Department of Botany, University of Zululand)

Mrs Yvonne Steiner and Presenter Dr Nqobile Masondo (Researcher, Agricultural Research Council)

Mrs Yvonne Steiner and Guest Speaker Prof Karel Doležal (Senior Researcher, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic)

THE POWER OF WATER AS A SOLVENT IN GREEN CHEMISTRY

- BY DR BETHANY CAMPBELL

People are paying greater attention to the environmental impact of everything they do, with businesses, governments and individuals becoming increasingly aware of the need for sustainability and this is being reflected in their actions.

Chemists are no different, and play a key role in the movement towards a sustainable future, applying their trade in the search for innovative green solutions across a myriad of industries. However, chemists themselves produce a large amount of waste through their extensive use of organic solvents, as media in which to carry out reactions.

Below we look into the waste caused by organic solvents, and how water can be a sustainable alternative.

The pitfalls of organic solvents

Organic solvents are typically hazardous both to safety and health; they are often flammable (e.g. acetone) and have skin irritant properties, but may also be carcinogenic (e.g. benzene), have reproductive hazards (e.g. 2-ethoxyethanol), or may be neurotoxins (e.g.n-hexane).

These characteristics mean they should never be discharged into the environment and instead should be collected and incinerated, at which point they contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. These chemicals are also often sourced from fossil fuel reserves: finite resources utilised for countless purposes globally - this does not hark ‘sustainable’.

Water - A green alternative

The search for substitute media in which to carry out these reactions, including the use of supercritical CO₂, ionic liquids and biomass-derived organics, is progressing, but each has limitations.

Another option that has garnered the attention of many chemists over recent years is water - considered ‘nature’s solvent’¹, water is abundant, non-toxic, nonflammable and cheap. The physical properties of water, and how they change with temperature and pressure, allow many more reactions than are first expected to take place within this polar solvent. Water has a large dielectric constant and high polarity, which leads to the hydrophobic effect - the clustering of non-polar molecules or functionalities to reduce the polar/nonpolar interfacial area.

This can concentrate pockets of non-polar reactants, influencing their reaction rate, chemo- and regioselectivity². Reactions that take place in

conditions like this are termed ‘on-water’, and the most well-documented example is the acceleration of the Diels-Alder reaction with water as solvent, as shown by Rideout and Breslow, 1980³.

The ability to modulate the hydrophobic effect of water with the addition of different salts in salting-in and salting-out was further shown in this work. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have traditionally been used as solvent media for reactions such as this.

Altering the characteristics of water

The heating and pressurisation of water to subcritical or supercritical states provides further options in the use of water as a solvent, though it brings safety concerns and energetic requirements that may limit the desirability and application of these conditions.

These changes in state drastically change the properties of water, to have a low dielectric constant, low polarity and increased dissociation.

Supercritical water is therefore a highly suitable solvent for non-polar compounds, allowing their reaction throughout the bulk reaction mixture. Further, the increased dissociation of H+ and OH- ions provide both acidic and basic catalysis, without needing to alter pH.

Surfactant assisted ‘in-water’ reactions

Another promising option for reaction using water as a solvent is the use of surfactants to provide better interaction between polar and nonpolar molecules in ‘in water’ reactions⁴.

The Lipshutz group at UC Santa Barbara focus on improving green chemistry in synthetic organic chemistry, and one of their focuses are ‘designer

surfactants’ that can, when present in water in very limited quantities, provide nanometer micelles or so-called ‘nanoreactors’ for non-polar reactions to take place.

Lipshutz and his group have been able to undertake many big-name organic reactions using water as the solvent, including Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira, Mizoroki-Heck and Negishi couplings⁵ and Lipshutz states: “Micellar catalysis is becoming rich with a growing toolbox of technologies that enable just about any reaction to be run in water.”⁶

The limited quantities of designer surfactants needed has the abovedescribed benefit of “higher local substrate concentrations and, hence, faster reaction rates” often also reducing the catalyst loadings and energy required for reactions⁴.

Relatively mild conditions are actually often necessitated by the need to avoid surfactants reaching their cloud-point, where the properties of surfactant solutions change.

Further, the work-up required for isolation and purification of reaction products can be majorly simplified by using in-water reaction conditions, with work up including “‘in flask’ extraction of the product from the aqueous reaction mixture using a single, minimal amount of a recyclable organic solvent, or by simply decanting or filtering to obtain the solid product” ⁴.

Other benefits of in-water reaction conditions include the ability to perform sequential reaction steps in one pot without work-up and, particularly, to merge sequential reactions using chemocatalysis and biocatalysis (using enzymes that may be deactivated by organic solvents).

A promising outlook for water as a green solvent

Water appears to hold immense promise as a green solvent for the chemical industry and the environment. It is inevitable that changes will be made to current chemical practices, whether due to the reducing supply, or more difficult sourcing of organic solvents, or for economic as well as environmental reasons. Prioritising the development of water-based technologies would bring major benefits.

Reference:

1. Sachdeva H, Khaturia S. A mini-review on organic synthesis in water. MOJ Biorg Org Chem 2017;1(7):239‒243. DOI: 10.15406/ mojboc.2017.01.0004

2. Zhou F, Hearne Z, Li C-J. Water – the greenest solvent overall, Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 2019, 18, 118-123 DOI: 10.1016/j.cogsc.2019.05.004

3. Rideout D C, Breslow R. Hydrophobic acceleration of Diels-Alder reactions. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1980, 102, 26, 7816 - 7817 DOI: 10.1021/ ja00546a048

4. Cortes-Clerget M, Yu J, Kincaid J R A, Walde P, Gallou F, Lipshutz B. Water as the reaction medium in organic chemistry: from our worst enemy to our best friend. Chem. Sci. 2021, 12, 4237 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc06000c

5. Lipshutz B H, Caravez J C, Iyer K S. Nanoparticle-catalyzed green synthetic chemistry… In water. Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 2022, 38, DOI:10.1016/j.gogsc.2022.100686

6. Lipshutz B. Chemistry in Water to the Rescue, 2023 (https://lipshutz.chem.ucsb.edu/news/ announcement/406)

7 Gröger H, Gallou F, Lipshutz B H. Where Chemocatalysis Meets Biocatalysis: In Water Chem. Rev. 2023, 123, 9, 5262-5296 DOI: 10.1021./ acs.chemrev.2c00416

Dr Bethany Campbell

After completing a BA and MSc in Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, Bethany was awarded a PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Surrey. During her PhD, Bethany investigated the treatment of process water from the hydrothermal carbonisation of biomass - a process for the valorisation of waste to produce hydrochar (a fossil coal alternative). Bethany is now the R&D Wastewater Specialist at ELGA, where she works to develop technologies and products for treatment of wastewaters.

GENERAL PRODUCTS

QUALITY HIGH-VACUUM PUMPS

Giving the legacy brands a serious run for their money

Our Instruvac RVD series of high-vacuum, oil-flooded rotary vane vacuum pumps have been marketed, sold and supported in South Africa and Africa for close on 20 years already. They have proven to be of outstanding quality with a zero percent failure rate and, best of all, they sell for a fraction of the price of the legacy brands.

The Korean manufacturer started manufacturing vacuum-related products back in 1976. Since then, they have made every effort to manufacture the best quality vacuum products and have dedicated themselves to improving the quality year on year. Now, they are the leading vacuum pump manufacturer in the East and export all over the world. Their core products consist of 35 models of Oil Rotary Vane Vacuum pumps, Booster Vacuum Pumps, DRY-type Vacuum Pumps, and their accessories.

As the technology and quality of the products has

been acknowledged by the relevant vacuum industry partners, these partners have acquired more and more from Korea. They have obtained international certifications such as ISO9001, ISO14001, CE, TI and UL from the relevant international organisations.

The company has two factories in Korea, one with 17 534m2 land/8 500m2 building area where the smaller RVD-series are manufactured, and a second factory with 8 500m2 land/3 500m2 building area where the larger sized RVDs, booster pumps and dry pumps are manufactured.

Their production capacity of vacuum pumps and accessories is about 10 000 pump sets per annum.

Business principles:

Be the best technology company in the world:

To be the leading vacuum pump manufacturer, they have made massive efforts to reinvest in research and continuous technical developments.

Investment in human resources as the most valued asset

They continue to make investments in human resources and are always in search of new global talent. Their motto is ‘Advanced technology comes from man, and man will lead to improved quality’.

Be the company to give customer satisfaction by producing the best quality product

They have always tried to consider the customer’s point of view first to ensure total

customer satisfaction stemming from the best quality products.

Despite being a ‘small’ company by Korean standards, they have managed to take the vacuum market by storm, providing a product of the highest standard at a very competitive price point. They have short manufacturing times and offer spare parts from stock. Air & Vacuum Technologies has been their distributor in Africa for close on 20 years already, and they carry pumps and spares in stock for the common models.

The Instruvac RVD range starts at the RVD 6 with a capacity of 5m3/hr and they go up to the RVD324 with a capacity of 270m3/ hr. Ultimate pressures of Torr 5 x 10-3.

TAKING PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE TO NEW HEIGHTS

The brand-new ultraWAVE 3 further elevates the value of Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) technology for elemental analysis in terms of performance, time, workflow, and cost of ownership to better meet the challenges of the modern laboratory.

The new features of ultraWAVE 3 merge with those already intrinsic in the technology.

Thanks to its superior digestion capabilities that result from its higher temperature and pressure features, ultraWAVE’s unique SRC technology provides greater digestion efficiency, making it an ideal solution to address these challenges.

Several aspects of the system, such as reduced handling and cleaning and the ability to process any samples simultaneously, streamline the daily routine of the lab, reducing turnaround time and increasing lab efficiency for elemental analysis.

SIEVE SHAKERS

SRC CAPABILITIES:

COMPLETE DIGESTION AND DISSOLUTION

The more rigorous digestion conditions facilitate complete decomposition of the sample, ensuring that all target elements are in solution, even for the toughest and most chemically stable samples.

LOW BLANKS AND DILUTION

The use of low acid volumes or diluted acids in combination with high temperature reduces blank levels and dilution factors.

LOW RESIDUAL CARBON CONTENT

Complete digestion of the sample matrix also ensures the lowest residual carbon content, thereby reducing polyatomic-based interferences during the analysis.

LARGER SAMPLE MASS

The combination of wide pressure range and

For precise, reproducible and error-free sieving processes

Endecotts has a full range of laboratory test sieving machines: the Octagon 200, Octagon 200CL, Minor 200, Titan 450 and the Air Sizer 200. They have been especially developed to accommodate the exact requirements of the modern laboratory. Ergonomically designed and with a fresh look, Endecotts Sieving Machines are a world standard and ideal for your busy laboratory.

accurate digestion control enables the safe digestion of larger sample masses - even for very reactive samples.

The vials and racks of ultraWAVE 3 are specifically designed to reduce assembly and disassembly time. The operator has only to place loose-fitting caps on the vials and the rack is ready for the digestion process. This approach eliminates the operator time required for closing and opening of the vessels, typically involved with the rotorbased systems.

The wide selection of racks and vials enables it to match the detection limit, productivity, and application requirements of modern laboratories. Racks are available with different capacities to fit any sample type and mass. Vials are available in highpurity PTFE-TFM, high-purity quartz, and common laboratory glass (disposable) to address the detection limit and application needs of every lab.

Minor 200

• For up to eight full-height 200mm diameter sieves

• Manual control

• Lightweight

Octagon 200

• For up to eight full-height 200mm diameter sieves Variable amplitude

• Non-blinding sieving action

Octagon 200CL

• For up to eight full-height 200mm diameter sieves

Full compatibility with new Sieve Ware evaluation software

See what ultraWAVE 3 can do for your lab: https://www.milestonesrl.com/ products/microwave-digestion/ultrawave-3

Discover our blog news: https://www.milestonesrl.com/ corporate/blog

Titan 450

• Range: 20µm to 125mm Drive / sieving motion: electromagnetic 3D

Air Sizer 200

• For 200mm air-jet sieves – new generation

• High-performance air-jet sizer

INSTRULAB A DIVISION OF AIR & VACUUM TECHNOLOGIES (PTY) LTD

Tel: +27 (0)11 318 3241/2/3/4 info@vactech.co.za vactechsales1@vactech.co.za www.vactech.co.za

GENERAL PRODUCTS

LABORATORY WEIGHING FOR HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS IN A CONFINED ENVIRONMENT

The Erlab Secure Captair weighing station guarantees an outstanding level of safety for users, providing the required stability as well as the level of accuracy required when weighing in the laboratory.

Erlab solutions are designed to ensure people’s safety when handling chemicals in the laboratory.

Based on the principle of filtration, the Secure Captair weighing station offers increased protection against the risk of chemical inhalation caused by the emission of harmful molecules and particles at the workstation.

It is ideal for hazardous operations that require a confined environment, eliminating any risk of personnel being exposed to toxic products.

It guarantees users an excellent level of stability and accuracy required for applications up to 10-6g during laboratory weighing. The smart technology embedded in Erlab weighing stations keeps users safe, while a powerful light-based communication interface provides intuitive information about the operating status of the weighing stations.

Easy installation process

Erlab solutions are quick and easy to install. Unlike connected systems, they do not require a ventilation system linked to an air supply and extraction system to be installed. All you need is one plug to get up and running, and you can get set up at any suitable moment. The containment and filtration of the Secure Captair weighing station is guaranteed by its compliance with the AFNOR NF X15-211 standard.

Delivering energy savings

Erlab solutions can be easily moved within a laboratory to suit the user's protection needs, and without affecting the ventilation balance of the room. Creating ventilation balance is essential for connected systems to function correctly. Yet this requires significant energy consumption. Erlab solutions do not incur energy costs for the extraction and supply of conditioned air. They also don’t have high operational costs, even taking into account the cost of changing the filter.

Thanks to the modular design of the Flex technology within a Secure Captair weighing

station, the filters are stacked vertically in the filtration column, allowing carbon filters to be combined with HEPA or ULPA filters to suit your protection requirements.

In addition to the weighing stations, Erlab has chemical handling solutions in the form of advanced filtration fume hoods and customised instrument enclosures. Erlab also offers solutions for chemical storage with either their Smart filtering storage cabinets or filtration boxes for existing flammable cabinets. Lab air pollution is also a worry of the past with Erlab’s Halo air purifiers and Halo Sense air quality sensors.

LABOTEC (PTY) LTD

JHB: (011) 315 5434

CPT: (021) 531 7660

DBN: (031) 566 4870

sales@labotec.co.za

www.labotec.co.za

MecQ UPGRADE BRINGS EXTRA LAYER OF DETECTION TO FLUKE’S ii910 PRECISION ACOUSTIC IMAGERS

The Firmware 5.0 update helps to boost efficiency and allows maintenance technicians to scan large areas quickly and visually pinpoint technical issues before they become critical

To help users identify and localise ‘mechanical areas of interest’ within short timeframes, COMTEST, a local representative of Fluke – a global technology leader in the manufacture of compact, professional electronic test and measurement tools and software – has added a unique new feature to the ii910 precision acoustic imagers. The Firmware 5.0 update brings a MecQ facility to the ii910, which helps minimise unplanned downtime and cut repair costs by enabling early identification of potential mechanical problems. Energy savings are also achieved by carrying out repairs early and reducing faults.

The update was developed following extensive research involving Fluke customers worldwide. Maintenance specialists and technicians said their crucial focus was identifying issues on the potential failure curve as early as possible.

Looking at various types of conveyor systems, the research showed that nondriven bearings are often the root cause of many mechanical faults. Because these systems are integral to the overall production process, lengthy downtime could significantly impact the factory and cause significant issues along the supply chain. This applies in food and beverage

production as much as it does in the logistics, electronics, automotive and mining/raw materials sectors.

Never inspected

Despite a line going down representing a huge concern (and costing anything up to R2,430,000 an hour), Fluke found that around 59% of conveyor belt systems are

never inspected. In comparison, another 11% are checked manually.

The research showed that human sensing was the least effective way of detecting a problem, followed by contact temperature and thermography. Testing using contact vibration or airborne ultrasound also represented a challenge –with ease of use being a significant issue

with the latter – but acoustic imaging offered the most effective method.

Not only did customers say that the ability to localise issues was vital if substantial cost savings were to be achieved, but they also needed a scalable solution that could help those with lengthy conveyor systems (a significant warehouse could operate up to 80km of conveyor belts) or where accessibility was an issue (perhaps because of conveyor guards).

Using the Fluke ii910 acoustic imager with MecQ, the process of carrying out non-contact inspection on conveyor systems is simplified considerably, with the unit immediately identifying the locality of a mechanical area of interest through sound pattern comparison. Once the issue is displayed on-screen, the maintenance professional can note it, share it with their team and address it on their maintenance schedule.

Maintenance teams will love the ease of use of Fluke ii910 with MecQ’s intuitive interface and seamless integration.

WHY SALT AND ACIDITY MATTER

Importance of salt in food

When we refer to ‘salt’, most often we are referring to sodium chloride, also known as table salt. However, there are many other types of salts, including potassium chloride, calcium chloride and sodium nitrate.

The most common form of salt found in food manufacturing is sodium chloride (NaCl). Sodium can also be added in other forms, including sodium nitrite, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), sodium benzoate, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Naturally occurring, as well as a common additive in food products, sodium is an important mineral required by the human body. Unfortunately, too much sodium in our diet can lead to an increase in blood pressure.

Due to its hypertensive effects, it is one of the minerals that appear on product labels for people who must watch their dietary intake.

Importance of acidity in food

Acidity is the concentration of acid in food. Some foods naturally have a high acidity, such as citrus fruits or tomatoes. Acidity can also be produced through microbial fermentation, such as in yogurt. Frequently, acid is added directly to foods during production. The most common organic acids include citric, malic, lactic, tartaric, and acetic acids.

Here are common methods to measure:

Salt & acidity titration

A technique where a solution of known concentration is used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution. While it is an investment, automated titrations are the easiest way to obtain accurate results.

Salt refractometry

A measurement of the refractive index of a

solution based on its composition. Refractometers are inexpensive and require little skill to operate.

Salt conductivity (EC)

The measurement of a solution's ability to conduct an electrical current based on the number of total dissolved solids. As the level of dissolved solids increases, namely salts, conductivity increases.

Salt

Silver Billet Combination Electrode for Halide

Titration: The HI51488 is a combination silver billet electrode used in the potentiometric titration of halides, including chloride, bromide and iodide, by detecting excess silver from a silver nitrate precipitation reaction.

This electrode features a Clogging Prevention System (CPS) Technology that allows for a polyethylene sleeve to be moved in order to clean the ground glass surface that can become clogged by samples.

The distinction between acidity and pH is very important. Acidity refers to titratable acidity (TA), or the concentration of acid in a solution, while pH refers to the strength of the acid present. TA is more useful as a predictor of how an acid will impact the flavour of a food product.

Available now - Hanna’s Salt Titrator

HI931-02 Potentiometric Titrator with single pump, one input analog board and HI4115

Silver/Sulphide combination ISE (Ion Selective Probe).

hanna@hanna.co.za

www.hanna.co.za

TECAN STREAMLINES PROTEOMICS WORKFLOWS

With innovative automation and purification columns

Tecan is pleased to announce further expansion of its leading portfolio for specialist applications with the upcoming launch of Resolvex® i300 and its antibody purification columns, AffinEx™ Protein A Capture. The products deliver new levels of efficiency and precision to proteomics workflows, including biomarker discovery, drug development and personalised medicine research.

Proteomics laboratories have long struggled with tedious sample preparation, as well as the need to process large numbers of samples quickly and efficiently while minimiing the risk of cross-contamination.

The Resolvex i300, scheduled for launch in H1 2024, is a positive pressure module for solid phase extraction (SPE) and filtration, specifically designed to address all these challenges. Integrated into the Fluent® Automation Workstation, it enables the automation of every step of the sample purification process, including clean-up,

evaporation and resuspension. This ensures the integrity and consistency of each sample while the instrument’s unique dropletprotection feature reduces the risk of crosscontamination during labware handling.

Designed for use in various fields – including proteomics, genomics and analytical chemistry – the Resolvex i300 can easily be changed between 24- and 96-well labware formats and is particularly useful for liquid chromatographymass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based applications.

Another exciting addition to Tecan’s portfolio for proteomics is the AffinEx™ Protein A Capture column. This novel antibody purification sorbent is stable, wet or dry, at room temperature, which significantly extends its shelf life and also reduces shipping costs.

www.tecan.com/proteomics-automation

GENERAL PRODUCTS

Seaward Testers Power Ahead

One of Asia's leading clean energy specialists, Solarvest Holdings Berhad, uses the latest electrical safety test equipment to ensure the solar photovoltaic (PV) installations it services and maintains operate at peak performance levels.

Solarvest is committed to the vision of creating a world generated by renewable energy. Founded in 2012, the company provides a range of solar PV engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning services for several largescale solar, residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Malaysia. Through its dedicated operations and maintenance (O&M) subsidiary, PowerTrack, the company actively maintains and monitors over 90 national projects.

The ongoing work it undertakes for customers involves pre-commissioning checking, and testing PV installations, specifically measuring the relationship between module current and voltage with the simultaneous display of irradiance value while analysing the current vs voltage (I-V) curve. Insulation tests without disconnecting the PV module are also undertaken.

To ensure this is carried out quickly, accurately and to the highest technical

standards at dozens of installations across Malaysia, Solarvest's regional teams in Selangor, Penang and Johor rely on portable multi-function PV200 solar PV testers from Seaward.

These are used to interrogate the health of individual modules using I-V curve analysis, perform string cable insulation tests, and measure short circuit current (ISC) and open circuit voltage (VOC) during pre-commissioning tests. In this way, the accurate visual comparison of curve shapes can be used to immediately identify common problems such as shading, defective cells, or poor electrical connections, helping to rectify any issues quickly.

Using simple push button operation, the PV200 also carries out all the electrical tests required by IEC 62446, including maximum power point voltage, current and power, and insulation resistance.

Solarvest has used the tester frequently on PV string voltage design for its Industrial and Large-Scale Solar projects below 1000V in Malaysia to perform PV module output measurements. Muhammad Mahadzir Bin Abdul Halim, Operations & Maintenance Engineer at Solarvest, says the PV200 is a highly efficient tester that allows engineers to

complete checks regardless of the location of modules.

He adds, “We strive to provide our clients with the highest quality and valueadded turnkey solar energy solutions. The tester is an essential part of our on-site tool kit to enhance the efficiency of our service, with the multifunction PV200 unit eliminating the need for engineers to carry separate meters for different tasks. The ability to take one combined measurement instead of many separate ones greatly improves operator efficiency and accuracy, helping to identify possible faults from the modules and getting them verified and replaced quickly and safelywhich is the key requirement of our maintenance work.”

The combination of advanced remote monitoring capabilities with the latest in on-site solar PV test instrumentation enables Solarvest to ensure that the expanding infrastructure of PV installations it’s responsible for maintaining continues to perform at maximum performance levels. They form part of a comprehensive range of Seaward solar PV testing equipment.

GENERAL PRODUCTS

STREAMLINE YOUR NGS WORKFLOW

With automated liquid handling solutions from Eppendorf

Next Generation Sequencing 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 most complex Next Generation Sequencing workflows. The same system can be used for real-time PCR set-up, magnetic bead-based purification, cell-based assays or any routine pipetting tasks.

Salient features of epMotion 5073t/5075t

NGS solution:

• Very high pipetting accuracy (0.31% at 1μL) and precision (1.97% at 1μL) combined with a minimum volume of 200nL and maximum up to 1ml for accurate results and reagent savings

Automatic Tool Selection automatically decides which tools (single or 8-channel) to use for fastest run-time CleanCap option provides UV decontamination and HEPA air filter to protect samples from contamination 3D run simulation helps you optimise the speed and efficiency of new protocols

Capability for stacking plates and tip boxes maximises available deck space and increases run times without user intervention

The integrated, high-performance Eppendorf ThermoMixer and thermal elements allow for efficient mixing and reliable temperature control

• Pre-optimised and qualified NGS library prep methods for use with epMotion automated liquid handling system

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

inqaba biotec is your authorised local distributor of Eppendorf products. Contact us now on info@inqababiotec.co.za to equip your laboratory with good quality and ergonomically designed products.

You Keep Winning with Us

INQABA

SOUTH AFRICA-HQ

Tel: +27 12 343 5829

DryVAC ‘C’

PTFE coated vacuum pump series

Introducing an economical chemicalresistant diaphragm pump series with PTFE coating. With its chamber coated with PTFE, the DryVac C series of vacuum pumps are resistant to moderate corrosive gases and more cost-effective when compared with traditional acid-resistant diaphragm vacuum pumps.

Features:

• One-year warranty

PTFE-coated chamber with moderate chemical resistance

• Quiet and have low vibration, standard with anti-vibration feet

• Overheating protection

• CE & RoHS certificated IP 30 protection

Chemical resistance

Applied with PTFE-coated diaphragm and pump head with FKM valves, the DryVac ‘C’ series of vacuum pumps are adequate to operate with the presence of milder chemical gases and designed to be cost-effective at the same time.

Oil-free & care-free

They are driven by a diaphragm that needs no lubrication, making them maintenancefree and oil-mist-free.

Minimised vibration & quiet

Superior weight distribution and assemblies minimise the vibration and noises and maximise stability.

Overheat protection

All ‘C’ series vacuum pumps are equipped with an overheating protection device that shuts the motor down when it overheats and resumes once it has cooled down again, making the vacuum pumps safer and longer lasting.

Faster Cleaner Safer

NEW PYRO

ULTRAFAST HEATING

3 INTERCHANGEABLE SETUP

HIGH SAMPLE THROUGHPUT

OVER 90% TIME SAVING

THE COMPELLING REASON FOR TURNING TO MICROWAVE FURNACE INSTRUMENTS.

PYRO Microwave Muffle Furnace can offers significant advantages to sample preparation in the laboratory as it provides an excellent alternative to both conventional oven and muffle furnaces.

These are used daily in thousands of laboratories for several applications such as ashing, sulfated ashing, loss on ignition (LOI), residue on ignition (ROI), fusion and all high-temperature reactions under controlled conditions. Microwave furnace systems can be used for exactly the same applications, albeit with significant advantages over conventional systems.

There are gains to be made in terms of safety, environmental comfort, operating procedures, efficiency, throughput, and quality control reproducibility.

The PYRO is available in 3 different and interchangeable configurations: ultrafast heating setup, high sample throughput setup and sulfated ashing setup; it is therefore the most flexible and adaptable microwave muffle furnace available in the market.

Why more labs are turning to microwave furnaces?

Go to www.milestonesrl.com/pyro

PH INSTRUMENTATION

SIMPLIFY YOUR PH MEASUREMENTS WITH SEVENDIRECT

Mettler Toledo’s SevenDirect benchtop pH meters are designed for precise pH, ion concentration and conductivity measurements across a wide range of samples. Integrating advanced electrochemical technologies, these meters offer a balance of innovation, accuracy, and versatility. Their ease-of-use, datahandling capabilities and robust construction cater to the preferences of discerning users, ensuring a seamless and reliable experience.

Operate with confidence

SevenDirect meters offer a straightforward measurement process with an intuitive user touchscreen and simple menu. The ergonomic EasyPlace electrode arm allows precise positioning and easy sensor insertion into the sample. Dedicated positions for calibration, measurement, cleaning, and storage simplify operation. Effective cable management and the EasyMix magnetic stirrer ensure a tidy and compact workplace. The rotating sachet holder simplifies multipoint calibration, enhancing overall efficiency.

Secure & full GLP support

SevenDirect meters feature EasyDirect software to track your records, support Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards, and deliver accurate and reliable results. The software stores key information of

every measurement and facilitates automatic data transfer to a PC or printer, guaranteeing accurate transcription. The two-level user management protects settings, while the guided verification process provides an easy way to check system performance with a clear pass/fail indication.

Robust and durable

SevenDirect meters are resistant to dust and splashwater, even with sensors attached, due to the closed connector compartment (IP54 in-use). A replaceable cover provides for extra protection against aggressive chemicals.

Powerful measurement system

Combine SevenDirect meters with the right sensor and accessories for a powerful measurement system to address your industry-specific challenges. Ideally suited for applications in the food and beverage, chemicals, cosmetics, and various other industries.

MICROSEP (PTY) LTD

Elisha Ramlal

Tel: 087 092 7300 elisha.ramlal@microsep.co.za www.microsep.co.za

AMMONIUM

Fast and robust determination according to current ISO, EPA, and ASTM standards using direct measurement

Determination of ammonium is one of the most crucial applications for sectors such as water and wastewater analysis, fertilisers, and others. Metrohm Application Bulletin AB-133 describes the determination of Ammonium by ion measurement according to ISO 6778, EPA 359.2, EPA 305.3, and ASTM D1426. Tips and tricks on how to deal with possible interferences, sample preparation, and handling of the ammonia ion-selective electrode are also covered.

Bench Meter is ideally suited for laboratories with users of varying levels of technical expertise and who require a simple-to-calibrate meter for routine pH testing.

Thermo Scientific Orion Lab Star pH/mV Bench Meter

These quality instruments for analytical testing and measurement are lightweight and easy to use and will deliver precise and accurate readings in the field and laboratory.

The large display screen is backlit, making it easy to read and record sample measurements with ease. The meter’s small footprint also helps reduce the amount of space it requires on your benchtop. Thermo Scientific Orion Lab Star Bench Meters are well suited for academic, water, wastewater, and other laboratories seeking a lightweight and easy-to-use instrument for electrochemistry testing.

Features:

Simultaneously read pH, mV, and temperature

Measure –2.000 to +18.000pH, 2000.0mV, –5.0 to +105.0°C (+23.0 to +221.0°F)

• Perform one- to five-point pH calibrations

• Calibrate using automatic buffer recognition or manual entry within the same calibration

• Complete one-point ORP calibration using a custom or Orion ORP standard

• View an electrode condition icon to determine the status of your pH electrode Review pH, ORP, and temperature calibration logs with date and time stamps

Various kit combinations are available

Pair the meter and stand with electrodes and solutions of your choice for a custom setup or pick a preconfigured meter kit to get everything you need. There are so many great combinations to consider.

The new Star range can be used in many applications such as bringing safe drinking water to the community, testing the quality and safety of food or beauty products, or for discovering new drug therapies.

While there exist photometric methods for ammonium, they are rather time-consuming (up to 90 min. reaction time). Moreover, photometric determination in opaque solutions is always a challenge. Determination by direct measurement using an ion-selective electrode, on the other hand, is faster and more robust. Hence, measurements can be easily performed in wastewater, liquid fertiliser and urine, as well as in soil extracts.

Determination of ammonia in ammonium salts, of the nitric acid content in nitrates, and of the nitrogen content of organic compounds with the ion-selective ammonia electrode is based on the principle that the ammonium ion is released as ammonia gas upon addition of excess caustic soda:

NH4+ + OH– → NH3 + H2O

The outer membrane of the electrode allows the ammonia to diffuse through. The change in the pH value of the inner electrolyte solution is monitored by a combined glass

electrode. If the substance to be measured is not present in the form of an ammonium salt, it must first be converted into such a salt. To this end, organic nitrogen compounds, especially amino compounds, are digested according to Kjeldahl by heating with concentrated sulfuric acid. The carbon is oxidised to carbon dioxide in the process, while the organic nitrogen is transformed quantitatively into ammonium sulphate.

LABOTEC (PTY) LTD

JHB: (011) 315 5434

CPT: (021) 531 7660

DBN: (031) 566 4870

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

SevenDirect

The versatile range of METTLER TOLEDO SevenDirect benchtop meters offer straightforward and accurate pH, Conductivity and Ion Concentration determinations.

• Precise measurements

• Reliable data management

• Improves productivity

Request More Info

WATER PURIFICATION & TREATMENT

METROHM IC SIMPLIFIES BROMATE ANALYSIS ACCORDING TO SANS 241

Bromate is a potential carcinogen and is generated by the oxidation of bromide traces during water disinfection by ozonation. A recently conducted round robin test has confirmed ion chromatography followed by post column reaction and ultraviolet detection to be a superior method of detection. Moreover, this method achieved higher precision and lower deviation to the reference values, for identical test matrices.

The existing standard method (ISO 15061:2001) is based on ion chromatography using suppressed conductivity detection for the determination of bromate concentrations equal to or larger than 0.5µg L-1, whereas the new method enables the determination of bromate concentrations equal to or larger than 0.08µg L-1. Furthermore, the new method minimises any potential interference of chlorite ions.

All method performance characteristics obtained in the frame of the round robin test (16 laboratories in nine different countries)

indicate that the draft ISO/DIS 11206 standard method meets the requirement set down by SANS 241 Drinking Water standards.

Metrohm is pleased to offer the ideal IC equipment for implementing the new standard method in the lab. The straightforward setup using the 887 Professional UV/VIS Detector and the 886 Professional Reactor requires neither suppression nor special sample preparation techniques. Water samples are analysed using a high-capacity column with a dilute sulfuric acid/ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate eluent and a potassium iodide solution as post-column reagent. With minor modifications, other oxyhalides (BrO3–, IO3–, ClO2–), nitrite or typical drinking water matrix anions (Cl–, NO3–, SO42– etc.) can be reliably and accurately detected in a single run. Major waterboards and municipalities such as Rand Water have recently begun using such systems.

METROHM

Tel:

CPT: (021) 852 0213

DBN: (031) 265 0067

Fax:

ECONOMICAL WATER ANALYSIS

New convenience feature s and additional capabilities make the 916 Ti-Touch more powerful than ever. Users may now connect a second titration stand, do pH-STAT titrations, benefit from dedicated automation for up to 24 samples with a new budget sample processor, and more.

The Ti-Touch instrument series was designed with the routine user in mind Operators can start their favourite methods with a single touch of an icon on the graphical user interface of the instrument. Such shortcuts are available for up to 14 different methods.

Connectivity and networkability are key Routine users may connect a thermal printer to their 916 Ti-Touch to print out reports right in the laboratory. Alternatively, a network printer may be used, or results may be exported straight into any LIMS.

•

Operators of wastewater treatment plants depend on reliable methods to monitor plant performance. Metrohm is pleased to present a collection of standardised methods (ISO, DIN, EPA) for critical parameters ranging from chemical oxygen demand (COD), to alkalinity, oxyhalides, and heavy metals.

The Wastewater Analysis brochure is free of charge and describes methods such as:

• DIN 38409-44 (Chemical oxygen demand)

• DIN 38406-3 (Total hardness, Ca2+, Mg2+)

• EPA 300.1, Part B (Oxyhalides)

• EPA 218.7 (Chromate)

DIN 38406-16 (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Tl, Ni, Co)

• EPA 300.0 (anions, e.g. F- , Cl- Br- NO2- NO3- PO43SO42- etc.)

14911:1998 (cations, e.g.

Together with the 916 Ti-Touch, the new 810 Sample Processor is available for the fully automated analysis of up to 24 samples. Simply load the rack, choose the method from one of the icons on the display, press Start and walk away.

CHOOSE NUZAR FOR HIGH-QUALITY PURE WATER

High-quality pure water is an important aspect in laboratories for many applications. Even minute traces of impurities or contaminants can compromise the accuracy and reliability of experimental data. RephiLe’s NuZar water systems are specifically designed to consistently produce high-quality water that meets the stringent requirements of scientific applications, ensuring operational efficiency at a cost-effective price.

Reliable water quality

Incorporating state-of-the-art water purification technologies and optimised flow paths, the NuZar water systems guarantee exceptional water quality. Comprehensive process control management, coupled with continuous water purity monitoring at each purification step, ensures consistent water quality and reliable system performance.

Compact & powerful

The NuZar water systems are powerful, smart, and compact, with a small footprint. These systems consistently deliver high-quality water, ensuring effortless

operation, user-friendly monitoring, and cost-effective maintenance for laboratory users.

Elegant features

NuZar systems provide a straightforward plug-and-play installation process. An ergonomic dispenser with an intuitive colour touchscreen display ensures easy operation.

A unique and elegant feature is the easy-to-remove consumable access cover, which clips on with a light touch. Cartridges incorporate an optimised flow design to improve water quality stability and the efficiency of polishing resins. Two dispenser heights offer flexibility, and the tank sanitation module comes equipped with a pre-installed mercury-free germicidal UV lamp. RFID tracking and data traceability of consumables contribute to enhanced management capabilities.

EasyPlus Spectrophotometer

The New Generation of Water Analysis

The new METTER TOLEDO EasyPlus UV/VIS instruments set a new standard of versatility and ease of use in water analysis. Spectrum scans, water colour, and substances in water can be measured using only one compact instrument.

• Conventional spectroscopy

Measure absorbance and/or transmittance at multiple wavelengths. The spectra can quickly reveal the quantity of undesirable substances, such as nitrate or aluminum.

• Water colour

30 standard-compliant and ready to use colour scales (e.g., APHA, platinum-cobalt, Hazen, etc.) shorten the time to result, enabling immediate intervention in ongoing processes.

• Water analytics

Support of >150 pre-installed Spectroquant ® water test methods with integrated workflow guidance. The corresponding method is automatically selected by scanning the 2D barcode supplied together with the test kit.

Request More Info

www.mt.com/uvvis-water-test

ENVIRONMENTAL EQUIPMENT

CONFIDENTLY ADDRESS YOUR

ANALYTICAL PFAS CHALLENGES

Waters offers comprehensive workflow solutions for overcoming stringent per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) limits. From sample preparation to proficiency testing, Waters is dedicated to revolutionising your PFAS analysis with absolute performance.

Waters PFAS solutions encompass sample extraction, screening, quantification, and reporting of PFAS in various water sources, including soil, biosolids, biota, food, and other complex matrices. Developed methods ensure you stay ahead of challenging PFAS performance requirements.

Absolute performance

The Waters Xevo TQ Absolute system was recently awarded the prestigious Accountability, Consistency and Transparency (ACT) label from My Green Lab, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to improving the sustainability of scientific research. The Xevo TQ Absolute system is a compact and highly sensitive benchtop tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer with industry-leading performance and design features, which make it one of the most sustainable analytical systems in its class.

With a growing industry demand for PFAS testing, especially with new regulations that will require lower limits for the presence of these ‘forever chemicals’, particularly in food and drinking water, the Xevo TQ Absolute excels in detecting extremely low levels of PFAS compounds.

The system boasts one of the smallest benchtop footprints of any high-sensitivity mass spectrometer on the market, and delivers a more sustainable solution in terms of its overall resource consumption. The Xevo TQ Absolute system uses approximately 50% less electricity and nitrogen and generates 50% less heat than most other instruments.

Meet PFAS requirement

No matter your PFAS challenge, Waters solutions will strengthen your analytical strategy to meet PFAS requirements, including the most stringent levels of single parts per quadrillion (ppq), or expanding the analytical scope of EPA draft method 1633, with the Xevo TQ Absolute. Safeguard against contamination and manage interference with confidence using the Waters PFAS LC Kits and Oasis WAX SPE.

MICROSEP (PTY) LTD

Louis van Huyssteen

Tel: 087 092 7300

louis.vanhuyssteen@microsep.co.za www.microsep.co.za

EFFICIENT ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

CAE laboratory's time-saving approach to ammonia and TKN determination

CAE Grand Ouest, a laboratory within the Veolia Group located in Western France, specialises in environmental analysis, particularly in water and soil. They evaluate pollution levels through the determination of key parameters like Ammonia and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN).

The laboratory's expertise extends to the meticulous analysis of multiple wastewater and soil; these parameters serve as a critical metric for assessing the environmental wellbeing of ecosystems.

Their standardised procedure involves samples to undergo a thorough digestion process with sulfuric acid, converting Nitrogen into Ammonium Sulphate. This is followed by a carefully orchestrated series

of steps involving alkalisation with Sodium Hydroxide, automated steam distillation and titration, ensuring precise and reliable results.

BUCHI equipment

BUCHI’s KjelMaster K-375 with KjelSampler K-377, Scrubber B-414, and Digester (all units available locally from Labotec) is used for their comprehensive environmental and pharmaceutical analyses. This equipment allows the laboratory to efficiently process up to 120 samples daily with full automation, minimising user intervention during the analysis. The integration of the BUCHI Digester, KjelMaster K-375, and KjelSampler K-377 not only accurately

streamlines the workflow but also results in significant time saving, enhancing overall productivity. The sample transfer of the Autosampler (K-377), facilitated by steam overpressure, adds a layer of convenience, reducing maintenance time. The Digesters are compatible with the 48-position Autosampler, allowing easy transfer from Digestion to Distillation.

The potentiometric or colorimetric titration modes of the K-375 Distillation Unit provides a versatile and efficient system, ensuring accurate and precise results, improving the laboratory's turnaround time.

The implementation of steam overpressure for sample transfer proves to be exceptionally convenient, simultaneously decreasing maintenance and handson time. The Digestion rack compatibility with the 48-position Autosampler K-377 and the versatility offered by the potentiometric and colorimetric titration modes of the K-375 distinguish their system, contributing to heightened efficiency and productivity in the laboratory.

LABOTEC (PTY) LTD

JHB: (011) 315 5434

CPT: (021) 531 7660

DBN: (031) 566 4870

sales@labotec.co.za

www.labotec.co.za

LIQUID PARTICLE COUNTERS FOR CLEANROOMS

Liquid particle counters are used to measure the size and volume of particles within a sample of ultrapure water (UPW) used in cleanrooms. UPW is water that has been specially processed to minimise contamination, and is used for applications in critical processes like the production of water for injectables (WFI), semiconductors, and other procedures demanding pristine water within cleanroom environments.

How do liquid particle counters work?

Liquid particles work similarly to airborne particle counters, but with a few key differences.

While most airborne particle counters use light scattering, a liquid particle counter can utilise either light scattering (ideal for small particles) or light blocking (effective for larger particles). In both cases, water sample volume is passed in front of a laser. The way the light is offset determines the number and size of particles.

Vertex50

The Vertex50, from Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions, excels in early detection, with the industry’s lowest false count rate and proven clean-up efficiency. It stands out as the market’s most compact and lightweight 50nm liquid particle counter. Features include ultra-low zero count levels,

integrated manual flow control, a userfriendly TFT touchscreen and interface for convenience. Communication protocols ensure seamless integration into facility monitoring systems or enable independent use as a stand-alone device.

Gamma immunity

Utilising advanced photodetector technology significantly improves the optical signal-tonoise ratio and reduces gamma-ray interference by a factor of 20. Therefore, if the particle counter is registering counts, it indicates the presence of detectable particles in the ultra-pure water system.

Early detection

Count subtraction is unnecessary due to its industry-leading low false count rate. The Vertex50 promptly reports counts as they occur, without requiring the counter to wait for an arbitrary threshold value to be reached, before recognising the particle counts.

Proven clean-up time

Early detection is accompanied by the Vertex50's demonstrated rapid clean-up time after an event; the Vertex50 returns to baseline counts within 120 seconds following a particle event.

NATIONAL SEPARATIONS (PTY) LTD

Frances Renwick

Tel: 087 092 7300

Frances.Renwick@natsep.co.za

www.natsep.co.za

MEASURING THE EFFECTS

By Dr Alison Halliday

Researchers set out a new approach for studying the risk of chronic exposure to potentially toxic indoor air on human health. Poor indoor air quality is potentially a greater health risk than outdoor pollution as we spend about 90% of our time indoors – such as at home, school, work, or visiting shops or restaurants. Chronic exposure to poor-quality indoor air has been linked to lung diseases like asthma and lung cancer, heart diseases, and stroke.

Children are particularly vulnerable to poor indoor air quality because their lungs are still developing.

Indoor air pollution is dust, dirt, or gases in the air inside buildings that could be harmful to breathe in. The main sources of these unwanted pollutants are building and cleaning materials, furnishings, electronic equipment – and combustion from burning fuels (such as gas stoves and wood burners), tobacco or candles.

Typically, indoor air contains a complex mixture of many different chemicals at low concentrations.

But while the amount of each substance may be negligible and cause no adverse health effects, in combination they may pose a risk to human health. But most studies of indoor air quality are currently focused on measuring the concentration of individual substances.

A holistic approach

In a new study, published in Current Research in Toxicology, researchers used several methods to assess the potential overall toxicity and health hazard of indoor air.1

The researchers collected a total of 40 water samples condensed from indoor air from different facilities in Finland – including homes, public buildings, offices and schools. They applied a series of different tests on the samples to assess their biological effects. They also measured the concentrations of 25

volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and Genapol X-80 (a chemical that is widely used in cleaning products) suspected to be present – as well as performing a ‘total chemical scan’ for the presence of any unknown substances.

The team could not detect the defined VOCs or Genapol X-80 in the indoor air samples, yet they identified several adverse biological effects including cytoxicity, immunotoxicity, skin sensitisation and hormone disruption. They also found a larger number of unknown chemicals in the cytotoxic

946 PORTABLE VA ANALYSER

The 946 Portable VA Analyser from Metrohm is a compact, portable, all-in-one solution for heavy metal analysis of surface waters.

Measurements with the 946 Portable VA are sensitive enough to detect trace-level concentrations of total arsenic, mercury, and copper well below the limit values defined by law.

For lack of viable alternatives, trace-level quantification of heavy metals have usually been performed in the laboratory using highend techniques such as IC-ICP/MS. The 946 Portable VA, on the other hand, not only frees the analysis from the lab but is also much less expensive than competing technology.

It also enables users to distinguish between species of heavy metals, such as the highly toxic As(III) and the less toxic As(V).

Handling the 946 Portable is straightforward and measurements take only a few minutes, providing matching results produced in the laboratory in all respects, such as sensitivity, accuracy or reproducibility.

At the heart of the measuring stand is a unique, disposable sensor (the scTRACE Gold), which can be easily exchanged due to a clever plug-in design. The complete set-up with measuring stand, accessories, and bottles comes in a portable carrying case.

samples than in the non-cytotoxic samples, further supporting the validity of the selected biological methods.

The researchers used ultrapure water generated from an ELGA PURELAB laboratory water purification system for all chemical analyses, minimising the risk of introducing contaminants that may affect their results.

Monitoring complexity

This study highlights the extensive complexity of assessing the safety of indoor air condensates, which are typically a mixture of many chemicals at extremely low concentrations. The results confirm that assessing the toxicity of indoor air by the analysis of individual substances is an inadequate approach. In the case of such complex samples, it is more appropriate to consider them as unknown mixtures and to monitor their overall toxicological profile.

Reference:

1. Marika, M. et al. New approach methods for assessing indoor air toxicity. Curr Res Toxicol. 2022; Oct 13;3:100090. doi: 10.1016/j.crtox.2022.100090

COPING WITH THE DAILY CHALLENGES OF ROUTINE WATER ANALYSIS

Due to the sheer number of samples to be analysed daily, automation is the key in order to deal with all of these obstacles.

The goal is to automate the routine analyses as much as possible, including sample preparation as well as the combination of different techniques within one system to make the workload easier. Most drinking water samples must be analysed for conductivity, pH and alkalinity. Sample throughput is always a very important consideration for water quality laboratories. Therefore, analyses should be carried out in parallel to save time because of the high sample load.

Time savings with parallel determination

Up to 64% of analysis time can be saved by automating and running determinations in parallel rather than in series.

This figure is based on the fully automated determination of conductivity, pH, alkalinity,

and hardness for 63 samples. Running these four determinations on just one sample requires 12 minutes. When run in series, this takes more than 12.5 hours, while parallelisation can reduce the time needed for these analyses to 4.5 hours (64% time savings).

Conclusion

No matter whether you are interested in determining several parameters or just one or two specific ones, an automated system such as OMNIS from Metrohm can be tailored to your needs and requirements.

If these change after some time and more detailed ion analysis becomes necessary for example, then ion chromatography can be easily added to the existing system setup. Less sample volume is needed as it is no longer necessary to split it into several aliquots for measurement on different instruments.

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

DATA INFORMATICS TO IMPROVE YOUR WORKFLOW

Accelerate your digital journey with Waters scalable suite of lab management software and data informatics for managing and executing workflows to confidently make critical decisions. Waters Laboratory Informatics provides powerful software solutions for instrument control, scientific data management, network integration and compliance management.

Waters informatics solutions assist pharmaceutical, environmental, food & beverage and chemical organisations to reduce R&D costs, accelerate decision making, improve laboratory effectiveness, and get products to market faster. Leveraging extensive experience in laboratory workflow management, Waters presents an innovative, integrated suite of products.

Chromatography Data System (CDS)

Empower software, Waters’ flagship chromatography data software, incorporates integrated applications for dissolution, method validation, chemical structures, and polymer analysis. Empower makes it easy to run samples and produce meaningful results without downtime for training, re-engineering workflow or additional software to support instruments or advanced chromatographic techniques.

STREAMLINE YOUR LAB WITH LABX SOFTWARE

METTLER TOLEDO’s powerful LabX laboratory software facilitates the seamless connection of various laboratory instruments, ensuring efficient and compliant processes. The LabX software comprises several modules designed to complement METTLER TOLEDO instrumentation, including precision and analytical balances, density meters, refractometers, autotitrators, Karl Fisher titrators, melting point instruments, Quantos dosing systems, pH meters and UV/VIS (Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy) systems.

Streamline processes

LabX offers complete instrument control, electronic data management (network, processing, and reporting capabilities), and easy integration of laboratory systems into LIMS. Via a single software interface, one can centrally manage multiple instruments, resources, SOPs, tasks and users. The benefits include the smooth operation of your laboratory systems and reduced effort for validation, maintenance and support.

Increase workflow efficiency

Secure your workflows and maintain high data quality. LabX automates multipleparameter workflows to increase throughput and reduce cost per sample. Automatic data transfer ensures all sample information

entered travels along with the sample, from one instrument to another, eliminating any calculation and transcription errors.

Easy compliance & data integrity

LabX ensures traceability and data integrity according to the ALCOA+ (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous/Complete, Original, Accurate) framework throughout workflows. Technical features, including the audit trail and electronic signatures, are stored to ensure compliance with 21 CFR

Part 11. Access all your data quickly and easily during an audit.

MICROSEP (PTY)

Rudy Maliepaard

AUTOMATE YOUR LAB WITH THE ANDREW+ PIPETTING ROBOT

Delivering connected science for your lab

The Waters_Connect lab informatics software is a single, scalable platform for LC and LC-MS applications to streamline analytical workflows, improve usability and compliance, and accelerate scientific and business outcomes. The Waters_Connect-based ecosystems with built-for-purpose apps provide workflows across a range of instruments and applications - quantitation, biopharmaceutical, and other accurate massbased analyses - to improve efficiency and reproducibility, while reducing manual errors.

The Waters Andrew+ Pipetting Robot offers fully automated liquid handling, sample preparation, as well as more complex manipulations, using a wide range of accessories and electronic pipettes. With the capability of 8- and 12-channel pipettes, it enables quicker dispensing of larger volumes, providing a significant advantage in qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) and NGS (next generation sequencing) workflows.

OneLab software

The Andrew+ robot operates as a connected device managed by OneLab, a state-of-theart browser-based lab software. OneLab empowers researchers to maintain control of their workflow and facilitates the pipetting robot to adapt to other workflows. This flexibility ensures optimal use of space, resources and funding. OneLab is userfriendly and requires no programming knowledge. Simply use your laptop or tablet to drag and drop the necessary labware, specify volumes to be aspirated/dispensed, and calculate your serial dilution in a way that is both highly visual and easily shared with other researchers.

several ‘connected devices’ for use with the Andrew+ Pipetting Robot, which are controlled using OneLab software. The Extraction+ automates the preparation of biological, food, forensics and environmental samples by solid phase extraction (SPE). Its hands-free, automated approach eliminates the need for manual pipetting and sample extraction, potentially saving scientists up to four hours of bench time per sample set, and significantly reduces the risk of user-to-user variability.

Forensic analysis is a distinctive application in the realm of sciences. Its practice and presentation need to align with the needs of both the scientific and the legal communities.

Forensic and toxicology laboratories face challenges such as identifying seized drugs or new psychoactive substances, presenting reliable forensic data in court, monitoring illicit drug use, and analysing prohibited substances in sports-doping investigations.

Laboratories can address these challenges and acquire critical data with Waters’ powerful forensic solutions portfolio.

This includes industry-leading liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, informatics, chemistries, lab automation, sample preparation tools, and comprehensive support.

Definitive drug analysis with LC-MS/MS LC-MS/MS analysis saves time and costs by eliminating presumptive immunoassay analysis, offering detection and

quantification of all significant drugs present in the sample.

The Waters ACQUITY UPLC I-Class/Xevo TQ-S micro system improves the detection and quantification of a wide variety of drugs and metabolites encountered in forensic laboratories for routine drug testing of urine and oral fluid samples.

This system enables the confident detection of highly potent fentanyl compounds at trace levels, in addition to more common drugs present in higher concentrations.

Toxicology screening

The combination of the Waters ACQUITY UPLC I-Class, Xevo G3 QTof, and Waters_ Connect informatics platform brings the power and versatility of high-resolution mass spectrometry and accurate mass to the routine forensic toxicology laboratory.

Proven analytical methods and UNIFI screening application workflows for both targeted and non-targeted screening ensure confident identification of both "expected" and "unexpected" compounds.

METROHM JOINS THE WAR ON DRUGS

Metrohm BW Tek recently unveiled the new TacticID Mobile, its newest handheld 1064nm Raman for police and customs agents to identify illicit and hazardous substances where they find them.

The TacticID Mobile 1064-nm Raman has an ergonomic design with a large touchscreen and display for even greater ease of use in identifying a range of samples including impure, coloured street samples. It has a targeted library for rapid, actionable identification of pure and mixture samples in less than a minute. Reports including threat level, location and sample photos can be easily generated and shared on a USB drive or stored in a secure data management system. Relevant sample information inputs by the user, together with the up to three photos, give sample

traceability and enhance the likelihood of successful prosecution.

The system is designed for point-ofneed identification with a rugged IP68 design. Interchangeable sample adaptors give the flexibility to measure samples as they are, or in translucent packaging, bottles and disposable vials.

Seized drug analysis

Streamline the analysis of seized drugs and improve sample throughput with specific drug identification in real time. The forensic drug chemistry laboratory can improve sample processing and deliver actionable answers faster with the Waters RADIAN ASAP mass detector, which combines selectivity, user-friendly operation and speed - all without the need for complex sample preparation, chromatographic separation, or extensive MS experience.

MICROSEP (PTY) LTD

Louis van Huyssteen

Tel: 087 092 7300

louis.vanhuyssteen@microsep.co.za

www.microsep.co.za

SMALL BORE GAS LINE INSTALLATION!

Our capabilities stretch for in-house supply of all tting, valves, regulators, tubing, and lters, up-front calculations and selection of components for small bore tubing requirements. With more than 35 years experiences in small bore tubing integration we o er a turnkey package on installation of gas lines in any environment, being process/ laboratories or environmental applications. Also, xed head gas detection for safety purposes with factory trained technicians for installation and commissioning.

LIFE SCIENCES

VWR KARL FISCHER REAGENTS

With Integra Viaflow 96 & 384

Elevate your lab's liquid-handling capabilities with INTEGRA’s VIAFLO 96 and VIAFLO 384 handheld microplate processors. Designed for maximum efficiency, these devices facilitate the transfer of 96 and 384 samples in a single step, significantly enhancing pipetting throughput and reproducibility. All of this comes at a fraction of the cost of larger automation solutions.

VIAFLO 96 is a handheld 96-channel pipette designed for lab bench versatility, featuring a unique operating concept. VIAFLO 384 builds upon this success, offering the same intuitive operation with the added capability of working with both 96- and 384-channel heads for increased productivity. Both devices have a compact design, fitting into laminar flow hoods for sterile conditions. The system's ease of use requires no special training, and customisable settings can be adjusted effortlessly via a touch-wheel-controlled graphical user interface. With unmatched speed and flexibility, VIAFLO 96 and VIAFLO 384 redefine efficiency in liquid handling, making them essential tools for laboratories seeking to enhance pipetting throughput and reproducibility.

The advanced GripTip system offers

NANODROP

reliable tip sealing and firm attachment that prevents spills.

GripTips are available in non-sterile, sterile, and sterile filtered configurations for diverse applications.

These handheld microplate processors offer reliable and error-free pipetting an intuitive user experience with no position programming required. The servo-assisted steering mechanism facilitates precise tip positioning, while the touch-wheelcontrolled interface allows for easy customisation of pipetting settings. With ten predefined pipetting modes and the option to create up to 40 custom programs, VIAFLO 96 and VIAFLO 384 cater to various liquid handling tasks with unmatched speed and flexibility.

LABOTEC (PTY) LTD

JHB: (011) 315 5434

CPT: (021) 531 7660

DBN: (031) 566 4870

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

FASTER S.r.l.

NanoDrop instruments were the first microvolume UV-Vis spectrophotometers and fluorometers designed specifically for the life science market.

The patented technology enables direct measurements of 1uL samples without dilutions or expensive consumables.

These instruments have been trusted by scientists all over the world for more than 20 years to measure their DNA, RNA and protein samples as accurately as possible. The innovative pedestal design and preprogrammed methods make the measuring process as simple as ‘pipette-measure-clean’.

The latest models from the trusted Thermo Scientific NanoDrop team include the NanoDrop One, NanoDrop OneC, and NanoDrop Eight Spectrophotometers.

All three instruments are powered by the Thermo Scientific Acclaro Sample Intelligence technology. This software identifies impurities and provides

corrected concentrations so downstream reactions can be successful the first time.

Inqaba Biotec has been a trusted partner and distributor of the NanoDrop range on the African continent since 2004, providing African scientists with this cutting-edge technology and excellent service for over a decade.

For more information and quotations for these laboratory workhorses, feel free to contact your local Inqaba representative or office at www.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

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 its 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 or main office on info@inqababiotec.co.za

HETTICH EBA 200 AND ROTOFIX 32A CENTRIFUGES

For rapid extraction of platelet-rich plasma

Platelets, crucial for coagulation and growth, hold the potential for tissue regeneration through the extraction of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). Utilising Hettich EBA 200 and ROTOFIX 32A centrifuges, available from Labotec, this process ensures effective separation. The ROTOFIX 32A handles up to 4 x 100ml or 6 x 94ml, with a maximum RPM of 6 000 and an RCF of 4 226.

The EBA 200 and EBA 200 S, adaptable with max RPM of 6 000 and 8 000, and adjustable max RCF of 3 461 and 6 153, efficiently cater to small sample sizes. The EBA 200 S also ensures rapid PPP results in 3 minutes or less, a pivotal advantage for small laboratories requiring swift outcomes.

The ROTOFIX 32 A, with its economical and rugged design, serves as an indispensable, non-refrigerated, generalpurpose benchtop centrifuge that excels in everyday tasks. Ideal for standard tubes up to 100ml and specialty tubes like cytology clips/funnels and chrome bath tubes, this versatile centrifuge eliminates the need for an expensive dedicated cytocentrifuge. It spins sample volumes up to 6 x 94ml, with

40 blood collection tubes, or 8 x 50ml conical tubes. The user interface is easy to use, enabling efficient and reliable performance across various applications.

The EBA 200 is a medical device employed for separating whole blood or blood components of human origin. These centrifuges are designed for small laboratories. The high-speed capability of the EBA 200 S ensures dependable PPP results in 3 minutes or less, catering to time-sensitive demands. With a max RPM of 200–6 000 min⁻¹ | 8 000 min⁻¹ and adjustable RCF in increments of 10, these centrifuges offer adaptability for diverse sample requirements.

User-friendly features, such as the one-hand lid lock, emergency lid lock release, and a backlit panel displaying actual values contribute to ease of operation and monitoring. These centrifuges’ durability is ensured by a combination of a plastic housing, a metal lid, and a light alloy chamber, complemented by a brushless drive for reliable and lowmaintenance performance.

The ROTOFIX 32 A, with its economical and rugged design, serves as an indispensable, nonrefrigerated, general purpose benchtop centrifuge that excels in everyday tasks

Purification of Peptides and Oligonucleotides using AIS Flash Purification or Preparative Chromatography

Need to purify peptides or oligonucleotides? Whether Flash purification or preparative chromatography, our compact devices will meet all your needs. Equipped with multiple controls, increased safety and proven technology, our specialized peptides or oligonucleotide devices are designed to give you unparalleled reliability. “Genius”, our artificial intelligence embedded in our InterSoft X software, will guide you to get the most out of even your most complex purifications. Be prepared for unsurpassed performance.

It has never been so easy to carry out the complex purification of peptides and oligonucleotides. The PuriFlash® 5.250P separates compounds with very close retention times with maximum efficiency and always to your complete satisfaction.

Fax:

IDENTIFYING ANTIBACTERIAL COMPOUNDS

By Dr Alison Halliday

Researchers identify two hemp compounds with antibacterial activity that offer promise for a variety of applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa), or industrial hemp, is an annual herbal plant of the cannabis species that is grown for industrial or medicinal applications. Hemp-derived extracts from the seeds, flowers, leaves or stems are used to make a range of different products – including paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, biofuel, food and animal feed.

Some natural fibre plants, including hemp, are known to possess antimicrobial activity against a wide range of diseasecausing bacteria.

As a result, industrial hemp is attracting increasing attention in the search for new classes of antimicrobial agents to combat the rising global health threat of antibiotic resistance. But the potential applications for hemp-derived materials with antibacterial properties extend beyond medications – for example, as natural preservatives in food packaging and cosmetics.

Although there is much anecdotal evidence for the antimicrobial activity of hemp extracts, more rigorous laboratory investigations are needed - to identify the active components and understand their mechanisms of action.

Hemp leaf extract

In a new study, published in Separations, researchers set out to isolate and identify compounds with antibacterial activity from industrial hemp leaves.

The team screened the antibacterial activity of hemp leaf extract against three species of bacteria: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus They found the hemp leaf extract was highly effective at preventing the growth of E. coli and S. aureus – with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 12.5mg/ml against both organisms. However, it did not affect the growth of B. cereus.

The researchers separated the hemp leaf extract into fractions using highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and screened these for activity against E. coli – identifying two fractions with

significant antibacterial activity. Using analytical HPLC, they went on to reveal the identity of the two active compounds as cannabidivarinic acid and cannabidiolic acid.

The team then performed a series of experiments to explore the mechanism of action of these compounds. Both substances destroyed the bacterial cell wall and membrane – resulting in the inhibition of enzyme activity and leakage of contents. Morphological evaluation of the bacterial cell surface using transmission electron microscopy also revealed damage to the cell envelope.

The researchers used deionised water generated by an ELGA laboratory water purification system in these experiments, minimising the risk of introducing contaminants that may affect their results.

Natural preservatives

This study presents evidence of the antibacterial activity of industrial hemp leaf extract on E. coli and S. aureus. Bioassayguided fractionation and isolation led to the identification of two compounds –cannabidivarinic acid and cannabidiolic acid – which can prevent the growth of E. coli.

The discovery that cannabidivarinic acid and cannabidiolic acid possess antibacterial activity makes these compounds good candidates for a variety of applications in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

315 5434

CPT: (021) 531 7660

DBN: (031) 566 4870

sales@labotec.co.za

www.labotec.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