the automated multiparameter systeml t i p a r a m e t e r a n a l y s is i n teg raig a pol me r to...

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Cosmetics,Fragrances, Food Ingredients

Analytical solutions in the laboratoryAugust 2014

Many natural compounds used to produce flavors and fragrances exhibit a unique optical rotation which is used for quality control purposes. Until recently, eskage-eskamint Schierholz, a perfume oils and flavors producer, had been measuring optical rotation on an unconnected polarimeter. METTLER TOLEDO took up the challenge to integrate one into their automated system.

With the company origins dating back to 1950 at a borrowed desk in Germa-ny, eskage-eskamint Schierholz GmbH is still a family business producing per-fume oils, flavors and peppermint oils. Their technology has evolved from their borrowed desk and their labs now house automated systems to carry out a multi-tude of tasks.

To ensure top quality flavors and fra-grances, a wide variety of quality control tests are systematically per-formed. Included in their quality con-trol lab, is an automated density and refractive index system comprising of a DM45 density meter as the mas-ter instrument, a RX40 refractive in-dex cell, an SC1 automation unit and LabX® software to ensure data security.

The automation has increased produc-tivity and, by controlling the whole pro-cess through LabX, data is securely man-aged and stored.

Integrating optical rotationHowever, optical rotation, a typical QC measurement for perfume oils and fla-vors, was not yet part of eskage-eskamint automated system. The optical rotation of natural compounds is determined by the angle of rotation caused by passing polarized light through an optically ac-tive substance. Until recently, eskage-eskamint had been measuring optical rotation manually on an unconnected polarimeter. This procedure was time-consuming and required separate data entry.

Optical Rotation Joinsthe Automated Multiparameter System

The automation has increased produc-tivity and, by controlling the whole pro-cess through LabX, data is securely man-aged and stored.

Integrating optical rotationHowever, optical rotation, a typical QC measurement for perfume oils and fla-vors, was not yet part of eskage-eskamint automated system. The optical rotation of natural compounds is determined by the angle of rotation caused by passing polarized light through an optically ac-tive substance. Until recently, eskage-eskamint had been measuring optical rotation manually on an unconnected polarimeter. This procedure was time-consuming and required separate data

Publisher Mettler-Toledo AG Laboratory Division Im Langacher CH-8606 Greifensee, Switzerland

Production LAB Division MarketingGlobal MarCom Switzerlandwww.mt.com/lab-segmentnews

Subject to technical changes. © Mettler-Toledo AG 08/14 Printed in Switzerland.

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sis Integrating a polarimeter to measure op-

tical rotation automatically presented a new challenge: METTLER TOLEDO need-ed to find a polarimeter manufacturer to work in partnership with. Schmidt + Haensch, an established company pro-ducing high-quality optical measuring instruments for laboratories, kindly lent us a polarimeter for testing within es-kage-eskamint’s automated system. The stainless steel micro-volume flow cell of their Polartronic M polarimeter has been specially developed for multiparameter applications and includes the tight con-nections and optimized flow geometry that are necessary when using the SC1, which involves overpressure and high turbulence cleaning.

A reliable systemBy adding the polarimeter as a peripher-al device, optical rotation measurement was successfully integrated with no delay to the workflow. Eskage-eskamint now has all required parameters available within a single system that is easily con-trolled from either the master instrument or with LabX from the PC. Even calibra-tion of the polarimeter can be carried out automatically using RS commands.

At METTLER TOLEDO we are pleased to take another step towards full QC anal-yses automation. First, color measure-ment came and now optical rotation joins the multiparameter system family.

Text: Daniel BuchmannDensity and Refractometry Product Manager

www.mt.com/liquiphysics-flavors-and-fragrances

Kathi Johannson, Lab Manager, measures density, refractive index and optical rotation of her samples with a single click.

2 METTLER TOLEDO Cosmetics, Fragrances, Food Ingredients News 9

Become a Trusted Supplier Thanks to Verified Balance Accuracy

Flavors used in the production of cosmetics, beverages and food supplements rely on instrument accuracy and traceability. METTLER TOLEDO’s GWP® verification service ensures weighing process quality.

Herbal extracts and flavors are used in the production of cosmetics, beverages and even food supplements and ingre-dients intended to have specific health benefits. Therefore, flavor and fragrance manufactures have to ensure fully trace-able top-quality products. Working with very small samples, the slightest influ-ence on the accuracy of weighing equip-ment can produce results outside of tight process tolerances.

Ensuring process qualityA major Italian flavors and fragrances company turned to METTLER TOLEDO to ensure weighing process quality. All of the company’s laboratory balances were initially assessed using science-based GWP® verification methodology. This consultative service not only confirms if balances and scales are working accu-rately to meet process quality- and reg-ulatory requirements, but also provides comprehensive recommendations for calibrating and testing weighing equip-ment in line with the relevant regula-tions and process specifications.

Reducing out-of-specification resultsThe company received summary reports highlighting the suitability of its weigh-ing equipment for individual weighing applications. This helped them to identi-fy several borderline balances being used with very tight process tolerances. The quality control manager can now effec-tively determine optimal tolerance levels specific to the balance or scale in each process.

Text: Marianne PortmannGWP Marketing Head

www.mt.com/GWP-Verification

Know-How

GWP at Your Lab: Tips & Tricks

Download whitepapers, watch videos and webinars for the Cosmetics industry Browse through our library and get inspiration to implement Good Weighing Practice in your laboratory.

Visit the GWP library www.mt.com/gwp-library

GWP for traceable resultsGWP for traceable results

3METTLER TOLEDO Cosmetics, Fragrances, Food Ingredients News 9

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Control Difficult Liquids with Positive Displacement Pipettes

In the cosmetic industry, often volatile, viscous or oil-based samples need to be pipetted. Pipetting these liquids using traditional air dis-placement pipettes becomes inaccurate and detrimental to analyses. Positive displacement pipettes, with more direct sample control are a perfect match when it comes to ‘difficult’ liquids.

It is common practice to pipette liquid samples using standard air displacement pipettes. However, air displacement pi-pettes have considerable difficulties with volatile, viscous or high-density solutions and accurate, precise and repeatable results cannot be guaranteed. This in-ability to accurately transfer these types of solution often leaves the scientist with very poor alternatives, such as dropper pipettes that are even less accurate than the air displacement. There is, however, an alternative technology that delivers excellent results: positive displacement

pipettes can successfully complete the job when pipetting difficult liquids.

How does positive displacement work?Positive displacement differs from air displacement in having a significantly reduced air gap in the tip section. This enables more direct control over the vis-cous or volatile solution. Positive dis-placement tips have a built-in dispos-able piston, which moves within a plastic capillary and makes direct contact with the liquid. The positive wiping action of

the piston against the capillary wall as-sures complete dispensing without drop-lets. Given the disposable capillaries and pistons, positive displacement absolute-ly eliminates cross-contamination from aerosols, samples or pipette.

When the tip is placed into a solution and the plunger on the positive displacement pipette is released, the piston in the posi-tive displacement tip moves up, creating the vacuum that pulls in the solution. The close proximity of the piston to the starting solution plus the absence of an

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Control Difficult Liquids with Positive Displacement Pipettes

In the cosmetic industry, often volatile, viscous or oil-based samples need to be pipetted. Pipetting these liquids using traditional air dis-placement pipettes becomes inaccurate and detrimental to analyses. Positive displacement pipettes, with more direct sample control are a


air gap means that very dense or viscous liquids can be accurately aspirated and dispensed by this unique pipette design. For example, a positive displacement pipette is the optimal choice for a labo-ratory where creams or lotions need to be accurately transferred. Similarly, the same principal applies when pipetting volatile organics. The lack of air gap re-duces the potential for the volatile sub-stance to evaporate which can cause significant problems with an air dis-placement system.

What are the applications within the cosmetics industry? Traditional chemistry and molecular biology techniques are common in the cosmetics industry. Traditional air dis-placement pipettes are a standard prod-uct throughout labs for aqueous samples used in molecular biology experiments. However, when using more viscous sam-ples, such as oil based solutions or solu-tions that have high glycerol content, a positive displacement pipette is a more effective choice for accurate results.

Text: Murray AndersonRainin Marketing Head

www.mt.com/Pos-D

Positive displacement Rainin pipettePositive displacement Rainin pipette


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n Repeatable Drying Methods in Food Ingredient Research

Obtaining repeatable moisture content results can be challenging when dealing with liquid samples. Optimizing moisture analyzer drying methods at DSM’s Biotechnology Centre in Shanghai has played a key role in enhancing downstream processing of cell cultures used in the production of food ingredients.

DSM is a leading global player in health, nutrition and materials. Dr Lin Zhang from the biotechnology research and de-velopment department is investigating how to maximize the yield of cell cul-tures used in the production of food and feed additives amongst other things. The cell is first grown in a special medium within a carefully controlled environ-ment. Analyses of the resulting ‘broths’, using techniques such as high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC), identify the qual-ity and quantity of the desired product. To relate this back to the cell culture as a whole, it is necessary to know the per-centage of dry content in the broth. This is where the moisture analyzer plays a critical role.

Unexpected resultsDr. Zhang’s laboratory has two HB43-S halogen moisture analyzers. Provid-ing moisture results in just a few min-utes, the instruments save a considerable amount of time when compared to the traditional drying method using a drying oven. This provides Dr Zhang with fast feedback before continuing with the next step in the analytical process. However, the moisture results obtained were not in line with those expected and in dis-cussion with METTLER TOLEDO’s Mois-ture Analyzer Product Manager, Claas Boerger, a solution was defined.

A sample handling issueDr Zhang performs moisture analyses on cell culture samples in three different states: 1) Whole cells, 2) diluted whole cells. Up to 20 measurements are per-formed each day. Instead of placing the liquid cell culture samples directly on the sample pan, they were spotted on glass fi-ber filters. For liquids, this ensures that the sample is more evenly distributed over the weighing pan, provides the opti-mal surface area for drying and prevents a skin from forming on the surface, all of which can impact the overall moisture measurement.

Further optimizationEven with the use of the glass fiber filter, it became clear that the three types of samples required different moisture analyzer settings and sample handling. However, as the whole cells dried, they were causing the filter to curl, compro-mising the measurement process.

The star-shaped downholder neatly holds the filter in place.

If a curled filter touches the inside of the drying compartment, an incorrect weight reading will be recorded, therefore falsi-fying results. The solution was the ‘down-holder’. This clever accessory neatly holds the filter paper down flat during the drying process.

Customer satisfactionThe HB43-S halogen moisture analyz-ers provide Dr Zhang with a fast and reliable method for determining the dry content of the cell culture samples. Results are now in line with those expected. “I now have confidence in our dry content values. The results are highly repeatable and we no longer worry that the rest of our analyses may be affected by incorrect findings,” said Dr Zhang.

Text: Claas BörgerMoisture Analyzer Product Manager

www.mt.com/moisture


Know

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Know

-How Don’t Let Electrostatic Charges

Influence Your Weighing Results

One of the most common problems experienced when weighing dry substances in a laboratory environment is the influence of electrostatic charges, leading to inaccurate weighing results. The new XPE analytical balance offers a unique technology to detect electrostatic forces, measure its influence in the weighing and eliminate them.

ErgoClip™

The ErgoClip basket for plastic and glass tubes shields the weighing pan from electrostatic changes. Small tubes also reduce the risk of creating charges.

StaticDetect™

Built-in StaticDetect technology warns you when electrostatic charges affect the weighing results above your defined threshold.


Download the ‘Electrostatic Charges in Weighing’ whitepaper

www.mt.com/lab-electrostatic-weighing

Antistatic Kit

Attach the Antistatic kit to the analytical balance and eliminate charges without causing turbu-lences in the weighing chamber.

FAQ Electrostatic Charges in Weighing

1. What are electrostatic charges?An electrical charge on the balance or vessel to be weighed causes electrostatic forces. Electrostatic forces can alter weighing results either increasing or diminishing the real weighing value.

2. How are electrostatic charges originated?Friction is the most common way that electrostatic charges are generated. However, under climate controlled environments, such as the typical analytical lab, charges are more easily generated and lead to greater source of error. Weighing a small quantity of dry sample into a large glass or polymer vessel will also significantly increase the error of the weighing result.

3. How do they influence weighing results?Electrostatic charges exert forces on the sample to be weighed and the weighing pan, thus causing significant falsification of measurement results. Inaccurate weighing results range from few milligrams up to 100 mg.


www.mt.com/pH-VPac

Unbiased verificationTwo test solutions of unknown pH val-ue are measured for an unbiased veri-fication. This gives extra peace of mind after installation or setup change, and before an audit.

pH Verification Kitfor Reliable and Traceable Results

Regular performance verification of pH meters guarantees flawless routine operation and optimal result reliability. The VPac pH verification kit provides quick and easy pH system performance verification. Get certified results by simply measuring two test solutions of unknown pH value.

Online evaluationGet immediate feedback concerning the quality of measurement results. Enter the results for both test solutions on an online verification page and get an evaluation with one click.

Certified & traceable Download and print a conformity cer-tificate to document the accuracy of your results. For maximum traceabili-ty all test solutions are assigned unique serial numbers.

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routine operation and optimal result reliability. The VPac pH verification kit provides quick and easy pH system performance verification. Get certified results by simply measuring two test solutions of unknown pH value.


Enhanced performanceSmartPan™ minimizes the effects of air currents on the weighing cell to deliver results up to 50% faster and improve re-peatability by 30%. The integrated tray underneath contains spills and is easy to clean.

Enhanced Precision WeighingDelivers Reliable Results

Precision weighing suffers sometimes from slow stabilizations, air currents and therefore low repeteability The innovative SmartPan™ on the new XPE precision balances makes it possible to weigh-in with 5 mg readability without the need for a draft shield. SmartPan enables all users to quickly achieve stable weight values and better repeatabil-ity, even within the turbulent environment of a fume cupboard.

Compliant resultsThe innovative StatusLight™ terminal lets you see at a glance if you have the green light for weighing: balance cali-bration and routine tests are up to date, and the balance is level and function-ing correctly.

Ergonomic processesAvoid stresses and strains from work-ing for long periods at the balance. Place the terminal on a stand and ad-just the tilt to suit your height; the dis-play is easier to read and good posture is maintained.

www.mt.com/xpe-precision


www.mt.comFor more information

Broaden Your Lab Knowledgeat www.mt.com/lab-library

www.mt.comFor more information

Mettler-Toledo AGLaboratory DivisionIm LangacherCH-8606 Greifensee, Switzerland

Local contact: www.mt.com/contacts

the automated multiparameter systeml t i p a r a m e t e r a n a l y s is i n teg raig a pol me r to...

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