Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced the availability of an easy-to-use isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) solution for the authentication of food and beverages.
The solution is designed to enhance laboratory productivity, reliably confirm the authenticity of food and beverage samples, and detect counterfeit products.
The new configuration is said to allow fast and fully automated switching between multi-compound and multi-element analysis.
It includes the Thermo Scientific Delta V series IRMS and the Conflo IV universal interface, combined with the Trace GC Ultra and the Flash HT Plus elemental analyser, all in a single setup for maximum cost-efficiency.
The combination delivers a simplified workflow requiring minimal sample preparation and handling and offers a higher level of laboratory automation.
The IRMS solution will be showcased at Analytica 2010 on 23-26 March in Munich, Germany.
The Delta V mass spectrometer can be connected to either the Trace GC Ultra or the Flash HT Plus using the Thermo Fisher Scientific Conflo IV enabling time saving switching between the two instruments for multi-compound isotope analysis or multi-element isotope analysis.
Multi-element analysis can be achieved by connecting the Delta V with the Flash HT Plus.
This combination is said to allow dependable characterisation of bulk samples with minimal sample preparation and handling and is designed to save time, deliver cost efficiencies and increase productivity.
Combining the automated dilution and referencing system of the Conflo IV universal interface with the Delta V IRMS provides multi-elemental isotope analysis of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen oxygen and sulphur with a total sample size of close to 1:5000.
The Flash HT Plus features a fully automated, two single-furnace system, delivering dynamic flash combustion and high-temperature conversion capabilities in a single analyser to suit virtually all analytical requirements.
Multi-compound isotope analysis is done through the Delta V interfaced with the Trace GC Ultra, disclosing the ratios of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen and generating unique isotope fingerprints related to the history and origin of complex samples.
This ensures accurate quality control of food, flavours and beverages and real-time identification of adulterated products.
This new workflow solution has been designed for ease of use, allowing commercial and government food testing institutions to take advantage of advanced analytical capabilities.
The system can acquire complementary information on the origin and authenticity of compounds using a single, straightforward instrument set-up, with the aim of reducing investment and operating costs.
