Infrared Light Delivers Rapid Analysis – A wave of the future for many industries
Eurofins Quality Trait Analysis (QTA) offers a unique service for many industries, using infrared light technology to perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of a wide variety of materials. Infrared (IR) analysis is rapid, non-destructive, and involves little to no sample preparation. It also uses no solvents or reagents. The instrumentation is robust and user friendly, does not require high technical skill or specialized training.
What is Infrared Light?
Infrared light is adjacent to the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Unlike UV radiation (adjacent to the opposite end of visible region and of higher energy) IR radiation is of lower frequencies than visible light, and is safe and non-destructive to any sample it touches.
How does Infrared Analysis Work?
When a sample is exposed to IR light, the light may be absorbed to various degrees depending on the chemical composition of the sample and the specific wavelength of light. The light from the exposed sample is directed to a detector which can measure the strength of the signal, and in turn the magnitude of absorption. A plot of the magnitude of absorption for a range of IR wavelengths is called a spectrum, and provides a unique signature based on the molecular make-up of the sample. These signatures are calibrated toward the specific qualitative or quantitative features of the sample, for example the protein content, moisture content, etc. A spectral signature can be collected very quickly, in 1-2 minutes, which is why IR is considered a rapid method.
How is QTA different from other Infrared Analysis Providers?
QTA is a specialized service, guiding the client through every step of creating infrared applications specific to their needs. While most IR services are simply “instrument vendors” that sell the IR hardware, QTA has realized that a large part of what makes IR analysis successful is the calibration of the IR instrument to ensure accurate reliable results. QTA employs a panel of chemoetricians with specialized expertise in designing and maintaining IR calibrations.
How do I get started with IR?
QTA makes available a wide variety of instrumentation and sampling interfaces that a client can either lease or purchase. For example, if a client want to measure properties of olive oil, QTA may recommend using Near-Infrared (NIR) instrumentation with a specific cuvette. If a client wants to analyze biodiesel QTA may recommend Mid-Infrared (MIR) instrumentation with a sampling device that requires just a tiny drop of sample.
How much work will it take to convert from my traditional analysis to IR?
When the instrumentation is selected and provided to the client, they need only carry out their normal analytical operations for a set samples, for example moisture analysis using oven drying method. For each sample, they will also collect an infrared spectrum. This is the preparation work for converting the analysis to IR. Using the spectral signatures for each sample, the signatures can be calibrated toward a parameter of interest, for example, moisture content. After an IR calibration is created and proven to be accurate and reliable compared to the primary chemistry methods, IR can be used as the primary analysis method, with only periodic “spot checks” of the traditional chemistry methods. This will result in tremendous savings in time and resources that traditional wet chemistry methods require.
What industries and applications are available using IR?
QTA services a wide variety of industries, including the pharmaceutical, agricultural, foods and ingredients, animal and pet foods, specialty chemicals, biodiesel, and many others. Some specific applications include:
- Biodiesel: Methanol, Glyceride profile, and many other quality parameters
- Grains/seeds, animal feeds, pet food: proximate analysis (protein, moisture, fat, fiber, ash, etc.) and many quality parameters
- Spices: volatile oil, moisture, and other quality parameters
- Hemp and Cannabis: Cannabinoid content/potency, and other critical parameters
- Hops: Alpha acids, Beta acids, and other quality parameters
- Nutraceutical oil (marine oil): EPA, DHA, Omega 3s, Fatty acid profile, and other quality parameters
- Olive fruit and Olive Oils: fat, moisture, fatty acid profile and other quality parameters
- Urea Fertilizer: Total Nitrogen, formaldehyde, biuret, moisture, and other parameters
- Crop protection chemicals: Glyphosate, 2,4-D, and many others
The above is just an abbreviated list of the capabilities available with QTA. With the improvements in technology, IR is becoming an attractive analytical method across many industries. QTA offers a full package service and guides the user every step of the way, from selection of instrumentation to maintaining accurate and reliable calibrations, as well as 24/7 customer service.
