Question 1

How can I use an Antaris FT-NIR analyzer for in-line process analysis?

Accepted Answer

If the process environment has water hose down, CIP, dust, high temperature, corrosive or explosive chemicals, the Antaris FT-NIR analyzer needs to be placed in a safe area or enclosed in an environmentally stabilized enclosure. Fiber optics run from the NIR analyzer to probes or flow cells installed in production process pipes, tanks, hoppers, conveyors, reactors, etc. The fiber optics carry the NIR source light to the probe sampling window and then carry the light after it has interacted with the sample back to the NIR analyzer detector. The end of the probe will have a window or an air gap for reflection or transmission analysis. The product being analyzed must be self-cleaning or the probe engineered to automatically clean itself by high pressure air. The computer that controls the NIR analyzer is also located in the safe area with Thermo Scientific RESULT Software exporting NIR results to text or Microsoft Excel files, LIMS, OPC or by 4-20 mA.

Question 2

Can current calibrations from a different manufacturer be transferred to the Antaris FT-NIR analyzer?

Accepted Answer

Yes, using the Thermo Scientific Standards converter utility program, spectra from other NIR manufacturers can be converted to a format directly compatible with the Antaris FT-NIR analyzer. The utility program converts spectra from wavelength to wave number as well as converts to a standard absorbance format. Then it automatically transfers the converted spectra and all associated wet chemistry data into Thermo Scientific TQ Analyst calibration development software. The method developer then sets the spectral processing and regions in TQ Analyst and calibrates the method into Antaris format.

Question 3

What is Raman spectroscopy?

Accepted Answer

In Raman spectroscopy, an unknown sample of material is illuminated with monochromatic (single wavelength or single frequency) laser light, which can be absorbed, transmitted, reflected, or scattered by the sample. Light scattered from the sample is due to either elastic collisions of the light with the sample's molecules (Rayleigh scatter) or inelastic collisions (Raman scatter). Whereas Rayleigh scattered light has the same frequency (wavelength) of the incident laser light, Raman scattered light returns from the sample at different frequencies corresponding to the vibrational frequencies of the bonds of the molecules in the sample.

If you wish to learn more about Raman spectroscopy, visit our online Raman Spectroscopy Academy (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/industrial/spectroscopy-elemental-isotope-analysis/spectroscopy-elemental-isotope-analysis-learning-center/molecular-spectroscopy-information/raman-technology.html), where you will find basic Raman tutorials, advanced Raman webinars on sample applications, and a helpful instrument guide.

Question 4

What systems are available for speciation analysis?

Accepted Answer

Any of the Thermo Scientific Dionex IC systems can be used in conjunction with the iCAP RQ ICP-MS system. Visit our site to see all system configurations (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/industrial/chromatography/ion-chromatography-ic/ic-icp-ms-speciation-analyzer.html)

Question 5

What example analytes require speciation analysis?

Accepted Answer

The following are some of the most common analytes screened by speciation analysis:
• Arsenic
• Chromium
• Iodide
• Mercury

Visit our Speciation Analysis by IC-ICP-MS page to view our application note videos where our scientists walk through speciation analysis of example analytes:
• Speciation Analysis of Arsenic in Organic Brown Rice Syrup using the Thermo Scientific iCAP-Q ICP-MS
• Chromium Speciation Analysis in Drinking Water by IC-ICP-MS
• Analysis of Arsenic Species in Apple Juice by IC-ICP-MS

Question 6

How is speciation analysis performed?

Accepted Answer

IC-ICP-MS provides a complete inorganic elemental analysis solution for speciation analysis.
• Metal-free ion chromatography (IC) separates the individual ionic species without contributing trace metal contamination
• Ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS) performs trace elemental detection and quantification

Metal-free IC (with high resolution ion exchange columns and simple online connectivity) together with high sensitivity ICP-MS and integrated software are a powerful combination for fast and efficient metal speciation. Visit our Speciation Analysis by IC-ICP-MS page to see our scientists discuss real-life examples and benefits of combining IC and ICP-MS workflows for speciation analysis.

Question 7

Why is speciation analysis important?

Accepted Answer

Speciation analysis has become important for food, environmental, and pharmaceutical industries, where simply measuring the total amount of an element is insufficient. Identifying the different species and concentrations of those species provides a more informed understanding of the environmental or health related impact associated with a particular sample. The clinical or environmental approach would be very different depending on the concentration of the toxic species. For example, an exposure to toxic inorganic arsenic (arsenite and arsenate) is a much bigger concern than an exposure to the mildly toxic organic arsenic species. In contrast, organic mercury species are more toxic than inorganic mercury species, so an exposure to methylmercury or ethylmercury poses a more severe health risk.

Question 8

What is speciation analysis?

Accepted Answer

Speciation analysis is the process of separating and quantifying different molecular versions of a compound, which can exhibit very different physiochemical properties, including varying toxicities.

Question 9

Which ICP-OES and ICP-MS instruments are available from Thermo Fisher Scientific?

Accepted Answer

Thermo Fisher Scientific has over thirty years of experience in designing and manufacturing ICP systems. We offer both ICP-OES and ICP-MS products. Our ICPOES products offer both dedicated radial and dual radial/axial views. In our ICP-MS portfolio, we offer both single and triple quadrupole mass spectrometers together with high-resolution magnetic sector mass spectrometers:
- Thermo Scientific iCAP 7000 Plus ICP-OES Series (https://www.thermofisher.com/uk/en/home/industrial/spectroscopy-elemental-isotope-analysis/trace-elemental-analysis/inductively-coupled-plasma-optical-emission-spectrometry-icp-oes.html)
- Thermo Scientific iCAP RQ ICP-MS (https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/IQLAAGGAAQFAQKMBIT)
- Thermo Scientific iCAP TQ ICP-MS (https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/731546)
- Thermo Scientific ELEMENT 2 High-Resolution ICP-MS Series (https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/IQLAAEGAAMFABWMAFB)
- Thermo Scientific ELEMENT XR High-Resolution ICP-MS (https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/IQLAAEGAAMFABWMAFB)

The iCAP RQ ICP-MS (https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/IQLAAGGAAQFAQKMBIT) is the recommended model for pharmaceutical elemental impurities.

Question 10

Will ICP-OES detection limits be capable of handling the 'big 4' in final product when the permitted daily exposure (PDE) is higher than 10 g·day-1?

Accepted Answer

In general, ICP-OES is perfectly capable of achieving the required detection limits of USP chapter <232>. However, there can be two limiting factors: Due to the definition of PDE values for individual elements, the larger the daily dose is for a given drug product, the lower is the detection limit required. There are also ways to improve the detection capabilities of an ICP-OES in cases where more sensitivity is required, e.g., by means of a hydride generation system. Such a system can typically increase the detection sensitivity for e.g., Arsenic (As) and thus helps to still achieve the required detection limits.

Question 11

What effects may compromise my analysis results using ICP-OES or ICP-MS?

Accepted Answer

Interferences are of most concern in ICP-MS. One can basically distinguish two types of interferences: spectral interferences and physical interferences. Mostly, polyatomic interferences are observed, but can mostly be efficiently suppressed by using an instrument equipped with a collision/reaction cell system.

Other interferences observed are isobaric interferences, for example, caused by two elements present in a sample that have isotopes with a common mass number. Mathematical correction using another isotope of the interfering element and calculating the contribution to the signal by means of the isotopic abundance is a way to overcome these interferences.

Doubly charged ions can interfere with some elements, especially if a high concentration of an element with a low 2nd ionization potential is present in a sample, e.g., samarium (Sm), a member of the rare earth elements, that would interfere with the detection of As at m/z 75.

In addition, ionization effects may lead to false positives, for example, if carbon is present in a sample (e.g., after direct dissolution of a sugar containing product in water), As may show an elevated response. Microwave digested samples are normally not affected.

Question 12

Can I use ICP-OES or ICP-MS as a screening tool?

Accepted Answer

Both ICP-OES as well as ICP-MS can acquire full spectra to identify all elements present in a sample. This function is not only useful for method development where it helps to identify the origin of interference but it can also be used as part of a risk-based testing approach. If suppliers issue certificates for given elements, these can be removed from quantitative testing, and instead be systematically screened for in a spot-testing approach to assure compliance at all times.

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