smartcal calibrates the crunch in your cereal · 2020-01-18 · experiment containing a link to the...

Weighing and Analysis in the Laboratory

12News

LabAnalytical solutions in the laboratory

Moisture content is the key to a crunchy breakfast cereal and Organic

Milling uses Halogen Moisture Analyzers from METTLER TOLEDO to

achieve the most accurate determination of product moisture content.

SmartCal, the reference substance for fast and easy instrument con-

trol, provides additional product quality assurance.

Cereal lovers have different preferences towards the taste, ingredients and nu-tritional benefits of their breakfast ce-real, but they unanimously expect it to be crispy and crunchy. Crunchiness and texture are important sensory attributes of ready-to-eat breakfast cereals and these depend strongly on moisture con-tent. Organic Milling is well aware of this. The Californian based cereal manu-facturer provides a wide range of cereals for American breakfast tables, mainly for private labels. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Michael Bates, Quality Assurance Manager at Organic Milling, pays particular attention to moisture control.

Although experienced technologists can assess moisture content quite precisely by

mouth-feel, Halogen Moisture Analyzers from METTLER TOLEDO are the method of choice at Organic Milling. The quick-est and simplest way to control moisture is with the HB43-S. This instrument is used to verify whether the production process is operating optimally at hourly intervals. The short analyzing time of only 5-10 minutes means that process-ing conditions can be adapted immedi-ately when the desired moisture level of approximately 1.5% to 3% is not main-tained.

The reliable way to achieving valid resultsMoisture determination results don’t only depend on an accurately working weigh-ing cell, but also on a heating device with the ability to achieve the specified drying

SmartCal Calibrates the Crunch in Your Cereal

2 METTLER TOLEDO Lab News 12

Publisher Mettler-Toledo AG Laboratory Division Im Langacher CH-8606 Greifensee, Switzerland

Production Segment Marketing LABGlobal MarCom Switzerland

Subject to technical changes. © Mettler-Toledo AG 08/13 Printed in Switzerland.

temperature. The drying process moni-tors weight loss, which is determined by the selected temperature. Any tempera-ture deviations during this period may produce faulty results. Monthly weighing cell checks, using an external weight, guarantee the accuracy of Organic Milling’s halogen moisture analyzers. Separate heating device testing, with a temperature calibration kit, is only car-ried out yearly by METTLER TOLEDO service technicians. Between these yearly controls, slight temperature drifts of the heating devices may occur and remain undetected. Michael Bates didn’t like this blind spot in instrument control, but ad-ditional calibrations are laborious and expensive.

Easy instrument controlSmartCal is a reference substance that verifies the performance of Halogen Moisture Analyzers in just 10 minutes. The test is performed as a normal mea-surement. A reference substance releases

a specified amount of moisture during the test according to the selected tem-perature. Organic Milling uses a test temperature of 100 °C and the amount of moisture released must be inside the given SmartCal control limits to con-firm optimal instrument performance. The highly sensitive reference substance immediately highlights any instrument component malfunction. The handling and interpretation of test results has become so simple, according to Michael Bates. He considers SmartCal to be the perfect partner for instrument calibra-tion. Monthly testing with SmartCal is sufficient to ensure crunchy breakfast cereals all year round.

Text: Claas Boerger, Product Manager Moisture Analyzers

SmartCal – the reference substance for testing moisture analyzers

www.mt.com/smartcal

Find out more about our moisture analyzers.

www.mt.com/hxhs

Know-How

Free White Paper on Accurate Moisture Determination

METTLER TOLEDO has produced a White Paper on the Routine Testing of Moisture Analyzers. It describes the influences and sources of error which may be present when conducting mois-ture analyses. It discusses the routine tests which are neces-sary to ensure reliable determi-nation of the moisture content and correct functioning of the in-strument.

Sign up and request a free copy.

} www.mt.com/moisture

Moi

stur

e D

eter

min

atio

n

3METTLER TOLEDO Lab News 12

GTAPTM

1Evaluation

2Selection

5Routine

Operation

3Installation

& Qualification

4Training

Good Thermal Analysis Practice Helps to Achieve Fast and Secure Results

GTAP™ follows a risk-based approach with 5 key steps based on a measurement system’s life cycle. These steps ensure that the right decisions are made where it really matters. It then supports custom-ers further with a tailored service-bundle designed to achieve optimal thermal analysis results.

1. EvaluationGTAP™ includes a dedicated ‘Design Qualification’ designed to define re-quired instrument specifications and configurations based on specific labora-tory sample- and task requirements.

2. SelectionThis ensures that the most suitable ther-mal analysis system is chosen for each application. It helps to minimize risks and costs while ensuring complete com-

pliance. This is all supported by the ver-satile modularity of METTLER TOLEDO Thermal Analysis Excellence instru-ments, which can be easily tailored to suit specific needs.

3. Installation and qualificationThis ensures onsite, professional, docu-mented installation and commissioning. A successful ‘system suitability test’ en-sures that the system operates according to these selected specifications.

4. TrainingProfessional operator training delivers the confidence and skills necessary to operate the instruments and evaluate and interpret measurements correctly. METTLER TOLEDO professional train-ing consists of handbooks for self-study, webinars, eTraining, onsite training

Good Thermal Analysis Practice™ (GTAP) is one pillar of METTLER

TOLEDO’S ‘Good Measuring Practices’ global programs. It ensures that

thermal analysis measurements are performed correctly and that all

evaluations and interpretation of results remain consistently accurate.

(supported by a training checklist) and classroom based training.

5. Routine OperationEliminate costly errors in daily routine tasks with correct operation and regular-ly maintained thermal analysis systems. METTLER TOLEDO offers a variety of service options to suit all needs and en-sure that risks are reduced.

Minimize RiskInvest only 5 minutes to check the reli-ability of your thermal analysis results with our easy-to-use online evaluation. Simply complete 8 questions to estimate the key issues concerning your mea-surement system. Discover how simple, yet useful, this assessment is by visiting www.mt.com/GTAP-riskcheck and see for yourself!

Innovative Service SolutionsMETTLER TOELDO offers a wide array of service packages for regular care and maintenance. Achieve compliance and receive the best long-term package of services to protect investments and mini-mize risks with GTAP™.

Text: Dr. Matthias Wagner, Product Manager, Materials Characterization

For more information visit: www.mt.com/GTAP

Tailored services for regular care and maintenance help to minimize the most common risks with minimal effort.


Dat

a Ca

ptur

e &

Man

agem

ent

Why capture data? In short, data has the capability to answer questions that support business needs. If a chemical reaction or process does not proceed as expected, then data can help scientists to better understand what happened. Data helps to develop the understanding of how a reaction works or how a process is impacted by a parameter change. Data can also help with the further improve-ment of products and processes, includ-ing knowledge sharing with colleagues. This is a critical step towards building institutional knowledge.

Challenges for industry and academiaCurrently, data collection is far from sim-ple and is generally accomplished in an

Companies are striving for greater innovation while improving R&D productivity. They are

investing in enterprise level software solutions to improve the sharing of information and

best practices by scientists throughout their organizations as well as working towards

building institutional knowledge. In addition, they are implementing new technologies in

the lab to increase the understanding of chemical processes. However, the value of these

systems is only truly realized when data is correctly captured.

inconsistent manner. Existing systems are not designed to simplify complex process data collection or to provide the information and analysis required. In addition, building institutional knowl-edge can only be achieved when data is collected and stored in such a way that it can be easily searched for and retrieved at a later date.

Addressing the challengesThe deployment of synthesis worksta-tions and analytical technologies for better chemical reaction/process under-standing are changing the way scientists perform research. To support their need for better data management and data presentation, a new enabling technol-ogy that eliminates the challenge of lost

Turn 85% Data Loss into 100% Data CaptureNext Generation Data Management Solutions

data has been introduced. iC Data Center captures all experimental analytical and process data therefore building institu-tional knowledge.

Capture. Prepare. Share.iC Data Center significantly simplifies daily investigation tasks for researchers and their colleagues by ensuring that all experiment data produced is auto-matically captured from the local instru-ments, prepared into useful formats and shared in a central file. Files are then au-tomatically organized into a customer-defined structure. An email notification is sent to the scientist responsible for the experiment containing a link to the file location. The data stored in these files can then be analyzed and shared with colleagues or enterprise systems. This solution is designed to eliminate data loss, save significant experiment report-ing time, enable collaboration between colleagues and ensure that a company’s full investment value is realized through their bench-top automation and analyti-cal tools and enterprise level software so-lutions.

Text: Zoe Fernandez, MarCom Manager

www.mt.com/wp-iCDC

iC Data Center automatically performs tasks that ensures the capture and communication of experimental information, making life easier for the chemist.


A wide range of analyses, including BOD, can be performed in order to monitor water quality. BOD is used to determine the sum of all biologically degradable organic matter in water. Normally, the analysis is carried out over a period of 5 days (BOD5) at a temperature of 20 °C. The oxygen content of the sample is mea-sured before and after this incubation time. The BOD can then be determined by calculating the difference between the dissolved oxygen measurements.

Clean water is rapidly becoming ever more signifi-

cant worldwide. Strict regulations as to how water

should be monitored and analyzed are in place all

across the globe. An important analysis to assess

water quality is determining the BOD (biochemical

oxygen demand). This article demonstrates how

dissolved oxygen measurements for BOD can be

achieved quickly and reliably with help from OptiOx.

Simplified BOD AnalysisOptiOxTM Ensures High Water Quality

OptiOx optimizes oxygen measurements BOD canisters must be filled to the brim with the sample and sealed with airtight caps in order to prevent oxygen from the air distorting the measurement result. The sensor used for these oxygen mea-surements should not displace more of the sample in the canister than the cap itself would. This is essential to ensure that the canisters can be closed with an airtight seal again after the mea-

surement. OptiOx does so precisely and optimally thanks to the innovative OptiOx BOD adapter. The sensor can only be inserted into the canister to the depth at which a reliable measurement is possi-ble. After the measurement, the canister can be resealed without any entrapped air.

The OptiOx system for measuring dis-solved oxygen is based on optical mea-suring technology and is extremely easy to use. As no oxygen from the sample is consumed during the measurement, the sample does not need to be stirred. In no time at all, the measurement result is stable and can be recorded. This measur-ing method is defined and recommended by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency in the USA) in a new standard.

The METTLER TOLEDO OptiOx measur-ing system optimally supports BOD anal-ysis. Oxygen measurements can now be performed quickly and reliably.

Text: A. Stütz, Product Manager

www.mt.com/OptiOx

The black OptiOx BOD adapter stops the sensor from being immersed too deeply in the sample. No sample gets displaced from the bottle.


Labo

rato

ry S

olut

ions

Compliance with New USP RegulationsAssured by Expert Service

United States Pharmacopeia has revised General Chapters 41 (Balances) and 1251

(Weighing on an Analytical Balance). USP has given just six months for companies to

comply with these changes and METTLER TOLEDO’s GWP® is helping customers to meet

these new requirements with ease.

Balance users and manufacturers histor-ically criticized USP’s Chapter 41 for be-ing unclear and Chapter 1251 for no lon-ger representing modern weighing. On June 3rd 2013, USP published revised chapters in the Second Supplement to USP 36-NF 31 that define modified bal-ance test procedures for both US pharma-ceutical manufacturers and companies who export to the US. Revisions become official on December 1st 2013.

Balance assessmentChapter 41’s mandatory balance assess-ment defines accuracy and repeatability tests for calibrated balances used to quantitatively weigh analytes. Since ac-curacy can only be gauged using weights that are at least 5% of an instrument’s capacity, test weight selection criteria has also been modified.

Saving time Chapter 1251 extends to any balance

used in an analytical procedure. Impor-tantly, net samples (sample weight, not the tare vessel) must sufficiently out-weigh minimum weight to account for normal performance fluctuations. Daily testing recommendations have also been dropped to save time, which, if accompa-nied by accuracy, also offer significant potential monetary savings.

Ensuring accuracyAlthough the revisions help to protect manufacturing margins, they under-score that weighing accuracy is non- negotiable. METTLER TOLEDO’s GWP® – The Weighing Standard – is the an-swer. Tailored to each application, the unique science-based service, GWP® Ver-ification, helps to eliminate redundant or erroneous testing. Manufacturers utiliz-ing GWP® optimize SOPs and avoid pro-ducing poorly formulated and potentially dangerous products.

Consistent qualityWithout burdensome daily testing, phar-maceutical manufacturers improve as-surance that their products remain safe, effective and profitable. GWP® Verifica-tion’s systematic guidance makes weigh-ing consistency and product quality part of their everyday reality and is applicable to any make or model of weighing in-strument.

Text: Marianne Portmann, Manager Global GWP Marketing & Business Development

Learn more about how the USP revisions affect your balance verification and weighing pro-cesses.You can also view our free on-demand webinar, watch the video, register for e-learning or take advantage of our free white paper download!www.mt.com/lab-usp


Protein purification requires a relatively large amount of resin for the acceptable performance of conventional spin col-umns. However, experiments detailed in the aforementioned White Paper indicate that the higher resin volumes required in spin columns are not the key to optimiz-ing workflow. The paper demonstrates how novel PureSpeedTM Resin Tips pro-mote easier, faster and more cost-effec-tive protein and antibody purification than can be achieved using traditional gravity/spin columns.

FPLC in a TipPureSpeed’s bidirectional flow was shown to load PureSpeed’s relatively small resin bed with the most protein possible, pro-viding superior final concentrations and purity when compared to the spin col-umn procedure. Protein capture was also shown to be more repeatable, even at sig-nificantly reduced elution volumes.

Rainin, a METTLER TOLEDO sub-

sidiary, has published a White

Paper entitled, ‘High Through-

put FPLC with Packed Resin Tip

Technology’ discussing how

PureSpeedTM packed resin tip

technology provides faster, more

effective protein purification than

can be typically achieved using

traditional spin- and gravity col-

umns.

PureSpeed Boosts Effective Protein Purification

PureSpeed’s higher concentrations pro-vide samples robust enough for assaying or downstream processing. Generally, this saves time by eliminating the need to concentrate recovered protein in a sepa-rate step.

The paper also offers guidelines for using PureSpeed tip, body and bed sizes to gain maximum protein/antibody processing.

Download the complete copy of the paper and read more about how PureSpeed can help to streamline protein purification.

Text: Rishi Porecha, Ph.D., Rainin Applications Scientist.

www.mt.com/purespeed-ip

Tips & Tricks

PipettingErgonomics

How much do you really know about good pipetting ergonom-ics? Take our Ergo Challenge to find out and receive a free lab Hands, Arms and Shoulders stretching poster - a fast, effec-tive stretching routine for anyone who pipettes.

Watch the video, take the Ergo Challenge and get a free poster!

} www.mt.com/rainin-ergo }

Appl

icat

ion

Note High Performance Immunoprecipitation

The PureSpeed System: Indirect IP MethodPureSpeed™ Protein Tips and the E4™ XLS™ pipette enable a

rapid, convenient Indirect IP workflow.In biomedical research, it is often necessary to isolate specific proteins from natural sources in

order to study them. One of the most commonly used methods to isolate proteins from their bio-

logical sources is immunoprecipitation (IP). In IP, proteins from cellular lysate, serum, or other

biological fluids are bound to a protein A (ProA) or protein G (ProG) affinity resin using a bridg-

ing antibody. The antibody’s antigen binding site binds to the protein of interest, while the

FC chain of the antibody binds to ProA or ProG. After washing nonspecifically bound proteins

away, the antibody-protein complex is eluted from the resin prior to further analysis.

Key applications that utilize IP include:• Isolating a protein to determine its molecular weight or physicochemical properties.

• Understanding if a protein has been post-translationally modified.

• Testing whether a protein is produced by a specific tissue, or cell type.

• Probing if a specific protein is expressed upon treatment of an organism or cell with a specific

condition (i.e. the presence/absence of a drug) using pulse-chase experiments.

High Performance Immunoprecipitation™ High Performance Immunoprecipitation (HPIP™) is a new process that provides key benefits to

the researcher performing IP experiments including:•Producing replicable protein bands of higher intensity on SDS-PAGE gels, indicating high

quality data.•Very low background obtained by efficient washing of contaminating proteins from the bound

antibody-antigen complexes, critical for obtaining accurate conclusions.

•Highly concentrated immunoprecipitated proteins providing a stronger signal compared with

competing techniques, reducing the likelihood of repeating experiments.

•Fast processing of samples with the option of simultaneous analysis of up to 12 IPs at a time.


LabX

Lab

orat

ory

Softw

are

In the Lab

Operators work at their instruments as usual. Tasks are started directly on the instrument touchscreen. All data and calculations are taken care of by LabX. The operator just has to perform the task. Reports can be generated auto-matically and sent to a printer inside the lab or in the office.

On the Instrument

LabX provides full step-by-step SOP user guidance directly on the instrument touchscreen. All data is handled auto-matically so manual transcription of re-sults is no longer necessary. Results and instrument data are available directly on the touchscreen.

In the Office

All data and process information is cen-trally managed in LabX. At any time, LabX can provide a complete overview of the activities in the lab. Manage your SOPs, users and instruments, and even view results as they are generated.

LabX SoftwarePower the Bench

LabX software brings power to your laboratory bench by providing full user guidance on the instrument touchscreen, handling all data auto matically, and ensuring a high level of process security.

LabX is installed on a PC inside or outside your laboratory and can be connected to a variety of instruments, such as density meters, refractometers, melting point instruments, and Excellence Balances. LabX allows you to centrally manage your application methods, instruments, prod-ucts and user rights. Individual process applications are implemented in LabX

and provide full SOP workflow coverage directly on the instrument. With a variety of licensing options, LabX adapts to your needs. LabX Services support you and your LabX system and are completely flexible to meet individual system and user needs, including full integration with your exist-ing information systems.


On the PC

Use the design tools to create appli-cation methods and reports in ac-cordance with your SOPs. Instrument tasks can be generated from the PC, ELN, LIMS or ERP. Secure results and electronic signatures assist in com-pliance with regulations, including 21 CFR Part 11.

To order our LabX brochureor for more information: www.mt.com/LabX

Precision Balance

Analytical Balance

Quantos Dosing System

Refractometer

Melting Point Instrument

Titrator

Density Meter


Prod

uct H

ighl

ight Lightweight Multichannels

Performance You Can Feel

Rainin’s new XLS+ multichannel pipettes are ergo-

nomic masterpieces, light in weight and extraordi-

narily balanced with improved smoothness that you

can feel. Loading tips is a snap, with perfect sealing

on all nozzles. Consistent sample loading with re-

producible results are routine, channel-to-channel.

Available in 8 and 12- channel formats for volumes

from 1–300 µL, these manual and electronic XLS+

multichannels will deliver years of consistent reli-

able service.

Lightweight, balancedThe ergonomic design incorporated into Rainin’s lightweight multichan-nels deliver extraordinary comfort and performance, even after hours of pipet-ting. The feel is balanced and substan-tial with a fit and finish that is truly world class.

Channel consistencyXLS+ multichannels with the LTS Lite-Touch System load tips with perfect seals every time. The result? Sample pick up is absolutely even and consistent across all channels.

Greater controlWith an unparalleled sense of control and feedback, these are the easiest and most responsive multichannel pipettes you’ll ever use. Operation is smooth and absolutely consistent from start to finish.

www.mt.com/lwmc


Density and Refractive Indexesin One Single Run

Liquids can be characterized in various ways and the determination of their physical and

chemical properties are routine yet essential requirements. Whether the sugar content

of soft drinks, incoming raw material analysis of food ingredients or alcohol content in

finished produce, the newly introduced LiquiPhysics Excellence proves an ideal tool for

analysts in the food and beverage industry.

Efficient and safeThe SC1 automation unit’s cleaning solvents are automatically pumped through the system. This protects oper-ators from direct contact with toxic solvents or vapors.

RuggedProtect your instrument from spoilage and contamination with ErgoSens. A simple hand movement across the sensor starts the measurement without even touching the instrument.

Modular solutionsUpgrading a RM refractometer with a DX density cell module is a cost- and space-saving solution allowing the determination of both density and refractive index.

www.mt.com/LiquiPhysics

DX density cell module RM Refractometer Automation Unit

www.mt.comFor more information

Mettler-Toledo AGLaboratory DivisionIm LangacherCH-8606 Greifensee, Switzerland

Info Spot

Ever feel like you have to process more and more samples every day – and costs are spiraling upwards? Get the tools and knowledge to do your lab work more easily – and faster.

We have designed four lab toolboxes. These toolboxes contain compilations of information material that will help you achieve more in lesser time. They cover the following topics:

• Sample Preparation• Liquid Handling• Water/Moisture Analysis • Thermal Analysis

Stop working like Sisyphus and have a coffee instead – register on our webpage to get access to a wealth of lab knowledge:} www.mt.com/sn-lab-toolbox

Feeling Like Sisyphus of the Laboratory?

smartcal calibrates the crunch in your cereal · 2020-01-18 · experiment containing a link to the...

Documents