Organic & Inorganic Residues

Description

Residue Analysis Laboratory (RAL) offers accurate and reliable trace level inorganic and organic testing in the range from percentage level to parts per trillion (ppt) in a broad range of matrices including food, pharmaceuticals, environmental samples such as water, soil and air, cosmetics, textiles, toys, polymer materials, agrochemicals, biological samples and other consumer products. The laboratory is equipped with the state-of-the-art modern high-end analytical instruments and expert analysts to provide you over 230 residue level testing services which are accredited as per ISO 17025:2017 by the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) to test your products’ compliance against the most stringent international standards & regulatory guidelines on public safety such as EFSA, EU-SANCO, USFDA, USEPA, CODEX and ISO particularly important with respect to certification of exportable commodities.

Accreditation Certificate of RAL

Accreditation scope of RAL

Organic Residue Analysis Laboratory (ORAL)

The ORAL provides a wide range of testing ranging from pesticide residues, mycotoxins, veterinary antibiotic drug residues, food contaminants, food adulterants, food additives, solvents to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a broad spectrum of matrices to cater to your various industrial & regulatory needs.

Instruments

Gas Chromatography (GC)

Gas Chromatography (GC) is an instrumental technique used to analyze organic compounds. The compounds with sufficient volatility and thermal stability could be analyzed using the GC. The analytes in samples that come in different matrices such as water, soil, food etc. are extracted into organic solvents to separate the analytes from interfering substances and are then concentrated before introducing to the instrument. Once the prepared sample is injected into the instrument, it enters to the separation column with the use of the carrier gas. Inside the column, the compounds get separated into its components depending on the affinity each compound has with the column. The detector measures the components that exit from the column. Different detectors will give different types of selectivity. At RAL, we use GC with various detectors to conduct analysis of volatile organic and chlorinated organic compounds such as pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), solvents, anti-oxidants and natural product extracts, etc.

GC-FID/ECD (Gas Chromatograph-Flame Ionization Detector/Electron Capture Detector)

The FID and ECD are two common detectors that have good sensitivity, thermal stability and good linearity. The basic principle of FID is the ionization of the organic compounds by burning the compounds in a hydrogen air flame.

The detection of compounds by ECD is based on the reduction of the background current created by the beta emitting source by the analytes in the sample. FID is the most commonly used detector for many applications such as solvents and petrochemicals, whereas polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in general are detected by the ECD.

GC-MS (Gas Chromatograph – Mass Spectrometer)

The GC/MS is composed of two analytical instruments, Gas Chromatograph and Mass Spectrometer. In GC-MS, compounds that come out from the GC column are ionized and fragmented by the electron impact of the MS created at the ion source. Those positively charged fragments are detected based on the mass to charge (m/z) ratio by the mass detector. The mass spectrum obtained for the molecules could be identified by matching the obtained mass spectrum against a mass spectral library.

GC-MS/MS (Gas Chromatograph – Tandem Mass Spectrometer)

As similarly done in gas chromatography, samples being analyzed by GC-MS/MS are separated in the gaseous state based on the various affinities the analytes are having with the stationary phase of the GC column. The GC-MS/MS consists of two mass analyzers separated by a collision cell. As the analytes exist the column, they get ionized and fragmented in the ion source. Then the fragments which are selected in the first analyzer are reacted with an inert gas in the collision cell, resulting in further fragmentation. These product ions can then be selectively filtered by the other mass analyzer to reach the mass detector based on mass to charge (m/z) ratio for a highly selective quantitative analysis which is known as multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

The HPLC is an instrumental analytical technique that is used to separate compounds into their components. With the aid of a pump, HPLC uses high pressure to pass the sample mixture through the column packed with a solid adsorbent material. As in other chromatographic techniques, separation of the sample into its constituents occurs according to the affinities the analyte molecules are having with the mobile and the stationary phases. The eluting components that come out from the column are detected by selective detectors. At RAL, we use three types of detectors coupled with the HPLC for analytical work.

HPLC-DAD (High Performance Liquid Chromatograph – Diode Array Detection)

Diode Array Detector is the most commonly used detector to record ultra visible (UV) and visible (VIS) spectra of the sample components that elute from the LC column. The advantage of DAD over UV-VIS detector is that DAD has multiple photodiode arrays to obtain information over a wide range of wave lengths at one time in comparison to UV-VIS. In RAL, this instrument is basically used to analyze food toxins and food contaminants.

HPLC-FLD (High Performance Liquid Chromatograph-Fluorescence Detector)

The HPLC- FLD has high level of sensitivity, selectivity and repeatability. Usually, the FLD is used when the sample has little or no visible absorbance. The analytes of interest are generally introduced with a fluorophore through derivatization to achieve high selectivity.

HPLC-RID (High Performance Liquid Chromatograph-Refractive Index Detector)

The HPLC-RID is considered as a universal detector which is used to analyze compounds with low or no visible absorption. The RI detector is less sensitive than other detectors. The result is dependent on the changes in refractive index (RI) of eluting components in the mobile phase.

LC-MS-MS (QTRAP) (Liquid Chromatograph – Tandem Mass Spectrometer (QTRAP)

The LC-MS-MS (QTRAP) is one of the high-end instruments available at ORAL. LC-MS-MS is usually the high-performance liquid chromatograph combined with two mass analyzers. Here the injected sample which gets separated into different components in the LC column is directed into the ion source where analytes get vaporized and ionized. The resulting ions are then separated in the first mass analyzer and further fragmented by a collision cell and those fragments are filtered in the second mass analyzer. The results of LC-MS-MS have more accuracy and precision together with better selectivity. Further QTRAP function offers a higher and deeper selectivity and sensitivity by secondary fragmentation of initially fragmented analytes in the second mass analyzer.

LC-MS-MS is mainly used for analysis of polar organic compounds in the lab.

Microwave Digester

Microwave digester is a closed vessel microwave acid digestion system. It converts solid samples into solutions, suitable for elemental analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). It is a rapid and effective sample preparation technique for various complex solid samples such as food, agrochemicals, and cosmetics, ceramics soil, sludge etc. The IRAL is equipped with two advanced microwave digesters. Compared to conventional sample preparation techniques i.e. wet digestion and dry ashing, microwave digester has a rapid digestion time. Further there is no loss of volatile elements and sample contamination in microwave digestion.

ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer)

ICP-MS is an analytical technique used for elemental analysis. ICP-MS is a type of mass spectrometer which is combined with inductively coupled Plasma. The IRAL has a single quadrupole ICP-MS which provides an effective matrix tolerance, high sensitivity, and wide dynamic range. Its’ unmatched helium collision cell mode improves the accuracy of the results produced by controlling polyatomic interferences. The standard Ultra High Matrix Introduction (UHMI) of ICP-MS available in IRAL enables to measure samples containing up to 25% TDS such as sea water, inorganic salts and fertilizers. It is capable of detecting elements from sub-ppt to percent-level concentrations with the new Orthogonal Detector System (ODS) providing 11 orders of magnitude dynamic range.

Services

Inorganic Residue Testing – Elements

• Elemental analysis in Water & Waste water
• Elemental analysis in Food & Beverages
• Elemental analysis in Soils & Sediments
• Elemental analysis in Textiles
• Elemental analysis in Cosmetics
• Elemental analysis in Pharmaceutical Products
• Elemental analysis in Oils
• Elemental analysis in Petroleum Products
• Elemental analysis in Organic & Inorganic Fertilizer
• Elemental analysis in Agrochemicals
• Elemental analysis in Raw Materials
• Elemental analysis in Food Packaging Materials
• Elemental analysis in Air Samples
• Elemental analysis in Industrial waste
• Elemental analysis in Other Materials

Inorganic Residue Testing – Migration of elements

• Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Test according to USEPA 1311 in soil, sediments, slugde, fly and bottom ash etc.
• Leachable elements in toys (EU Toy Safety Directive -EN 71-3)
• Leachable elements in food packaging and articles

Organic Residue Testing

Pesticide residue Testing

• Pesticide residue Testing in Water& waste water
• Pesticide residue Testing in Fruits & Vegetables
• Pesticide residue Testing in Tea including Glyphosate, MCPA, Hexaconazole and Diuron
• Pesticide residue Testing in Spices
• Pesticide residue Testing in Fats & Oils
• Pesticide residue Testing in Finished and Processed Products
• Pesticide residue Testing in Beverages
• Pesticide residue Testing in Fish & Meat
• Pesticide residue Testing in Cereals
• Pesticide residue Testing in Soil & Sediments including Glyphosate
• Pesticide residue Testing in Herbal Products
• Pesticide residue Testing in Pharmaceutical Products
• Pesticide residue Testing in Coconut & Coconut based Products
• Pesticide residue Testing in Agro-chemicals
• Pesticide residue Testing in Other Products

Mycotoxin Testing

• Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 Testing in Cereals, Oils, Spices, Nuts, Pharmaceutical Products, Tea, Finished and Processed Products, Coconut & Coconut based Products, Fruits & Vegetables
• Aflatoxin M1 Testing in Milk & Milk based Products
• DON Testing in cereals and oils
• Zearalenone Testing
• Fumonisine Testing
• Ochratoxin A Testing in Cereals, Oils, Spices, Nuts, Pharmaceutical Products, Tea, Finished and Processed Products, Coconut & Coconut based Products, Fruits & Vegetables
• Pauline Testing

Food Adulterant Testing

• DCD Testing
• Melamine Testing

Food Allergen Testing

• Histamine Testing

Food Contaminant Testing

• PCB Testing
• Veterinary Antibiotic Residue Testing
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) Testing
• Phthalate Testing
• Acrylamide Testing
• Bisphenol A Testing

Additive Testing

• Bitrex in Alcohols
• BHT in Paper and Packaging Materials
• BHT in Food

Solvent Testing

• Solvent Retention Testing in Paper & Packaging Materials
• Alcohol residue Testing for Halaal Certification
• Solvent GC Purity
• Compositional Analysis of Thinners

Environmental Pollutant Testing

• Pesticide Residue Testing in Water, Waste Water, Soil & Air
• PCB Testing in Water, Waste Water, Soil& Air
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) Testing in Water, Waste Water & Soil
• Phthalate Testing in Water and Soil
• PCB Testing in Transformer Oils
• Veterinary Antibiotic Residue Testing in Water& Waste Water
• Acrylamide in Water & Waste Water

Headspace & Other Analysis

• Odour Testing in materials
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Testing
• Testing of Incense Stick Smoke
• Testing of Mosquito Coil Smoke

Research Support

• GC-MS profiles of herbal extracts & other
• LC-MS profiles of herbal extracts & other

Consultancy Support

• Industrial Process Auditing
• Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) Reports
• Process & Instrument Troubleshooting
• Laboratory Designing

Training Programs (Tailormade and Customized)

• Training on Instrumentation
  • Atomic absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)
  • Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS)
  • Gas Chromatography (GC)
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
  • Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)
  • Liquid Chromatography (LC)
  • High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
  • Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
  • Sample preparation prior to introduction to each Instrumentation
• ISO 17025 Process and Structural Requirements
• Single Laboratory Method Validation
• Assessment of measurement uncertainty as per ISO GUM approach
• General quality assurance/ quality control (QA/QC) maintenance in Laboratories

Other Services carried out on request

• Preparation of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) as per ISO 17034
• Preparation of samples for ILC & PT programs as per ISO 17043
• Assessment of Homogeneity & Stability of samples as per ISO 13528

Contacts