Capabilities

Why Have These Capabilities?

SGS provides trace and non-trace metals analysis through Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). These techniques generally have less interference and are also faster than both Atomic Absorption (AA) and Graphite Furnace AA (GFAA) when analyzing for multiple elements in a single sample. Detection limits are usually lower than GFAA. Its productivity, accuracy, and precision at low levels, make ICP-MS and ICP-OES the predominant choices for research, regulatory, and quality assurance applications. Vitamins, amino acids, residual solvents, and other small molecules are analyzed with Liquid or Gas Chromatography coupled with a variety of detectors.  Because of these features, SGS can analyze an abundance of matrices for most of the naturally occurring elements and a wide variety of nutritionally important compounds.

Current Instrumentation:

• PerkinElmer NexION 300D ICP-MS – has 3 operating modes and 2 interference removing techniques: Standard Mode, DRC (Dynamic Reaction Cell) Mode, KED (Kinetic Energy Dispersion). It can analyze samples faster and at lower detection levels.
• PerkinElmer 8300 ICP-OES – has a high-performance solid state detector and segmented-array charge couple to allow for exceptional resolution and superior detection and line selection
• PerkinElmer NexION 350X ICP-MS – allows KED or Reaction Mode with multiple sample introduction systems to accommodate a wider variety of sample types and applications
• Metrohm 940 Pro IC – Ion Chromatography instrument used for  determination of ZnO concentrations and small mono- and polyatomic ion speciation.
• Two Agilent 7900 ICP-MS – used to assay trace and ultra-trace elements at part per billion (ppb) and lower levels
• PerkinElmer Avio 500 ICP-OES – used to assay higher concentration (% and ppm level) elements
• PerkinElmer NexION 2000 – used to assay trace and ultra-trace elements at part per billion (ppb) and lower levels
• Agilent 1260 HPLC with DAD and FLD – used for water soluble vitamins and client specific LC methods
• Agilent 1290 UHPLC with DAD/FLD – used for fat soluble vitamins and client specific higher pressure LC methods
• Agilent 1290 UHPLC with DAD and Ultivo Triple Quad MS – used for Amino Acids, Biotin, and client specific LC/MS methods
• Two Agilent 1290 UHPLC with DAD and SciEx 5500+ QTrap MS – used for pesticide analyses and client specific LC/MS methods requiring ultra-low levels of detection
• Agilent 7890 GC with Triple Quad MS – used for pesticide analyses of residual solvents and other volatiles for client specific methods.

Sample Preparation:

• Questron Vulcan 84S Automated Digestions and Work-up Station – used for performing automated open-vessel acid digestions
• Environmental Express HotBlock – used for performing manual open-vessel acid digestions
• Milestone Microwave UltraWAVE – used in putting difficult matrices into solution
• Milestone Microwave UltraWAVE II – used for complete digestion of extremely difficult samples with no pressure venting, assuring no loss of volatile elements
• Milestone Microwave UltraWAVE III
• Milestone Microwave UltraWAVE IV
• Milestone Microwave Ethos UP – used to accommodate large sample sizes and reagent volumes
• Milestone Microwave Ethos UP II – a high pressure microwave, this unit is used to accommodate high capacities with a 16 position carousel and a high capacity rotor that increases throughput.
• Milestone traceCLEAN – an acid steam cleaning system that helps assure that our lab experiences zero downtime
• Milestone traceCLEAN II– an acid steam cleaning system that helps assure that our lab experiences zero downtime

Complete Element List

Click Here to see a comprehensive list of all elements we can test for.

Heavy Metals Analyses

The most common metal impurity analysis as per most regulations.

Mineral Analyses

Used when verifying label claim specifications.
Excipient analyses for concentration of minerals in raw and finished products for multi-vitamins, mineral blends, and APIs, etc.

Total Quant II Elemental Scan

In the Total Quant II Scan, a semi-quantitative analysis, approximately 65 elements are scanned. A 21 element standard is used to calibrate. The values for the remaining elements are estimated based upon internal response factors. Detection limits may vary depending upon sample matrix and dilution required.

Isotope Dilution

Isotope Dilution is used for highly accurate and precise measurements of elemental concentrations. The method is based upon the addition of a known amount of an enriched isotope of the quantifiable element to a sample, thus altering the naturally occurring isotopic ratio for the element.

This method is preferred over others for several reasons:

1. It enhances accuracy and precision in a variety of complicated matrices even at very low levels.
2. Quantitation is accomplished using a direct mathematical calculation independent of problems from an external calibration curve or inadequately matched internal standards.

The isotope dilution method is a very accurate and precise method. It is suitable for determination of trace metals in samples that need low level detection. Since this method has an ideal internal standard that corrects matrix effects, isotope dilution is perfect for samples with complicated matrices.

Sample Preparation

CSL is able to analyze the wide spectrum of matrices above by utilizing the following equipment:

• Environmental Express AutoBlocks – used for performing automated open-vessel acid digestions
• Environmental Express HotBlock – used for performing manual open vessel acid digestions
• Milestone Microwave UltraWAVE – used for putting difficult matrices into solution
• Milestone Microwave Ethos UP – a high pressure microwave, this unit is used to accommodate high capacities with a 16 position carousel and a high capacity rotor that increases throughput.

SGS is recognized by leaders in the industry, not only as an FDA registered and audited analytical testing lab, but by PJLA, NELAP and many others.