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Optimizing the chlor-alkali process through online chemical analysis

This White Paper explores the critical role of advanced online and inline process analysis in brine chlorine operations, emphasizing their advantages over traditional methods.

WP-035

Facile Verification of Edible Oils with Raman Spectroscopy

Edible oils comprise a significant portion of any diet, and they also have important roles in the production of foods, cosmetics, and skincare products. For these reasons, a convenient and accurate method for materials identification of a variety of fats and oils is highly desirable. Historically, authentication of fats and oils was performed through intensive laboratory techniques involving chromatographic methods. Here, Raman spectroscopy combined with Principle Component Analysis (PCA) has been used for materials identification with 16 different edible oils, with excellent results. Raman is an ideal technique for evaluation of fats, as carboncarbon double- and single-bonds give strong Raman signals. PCA analysis in combination with Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for qualification and verification of different fats and oils, as there are few visual differences between spectra of edible oils.

410000050-A

Application Fast Fact Historic Stamp Inks

Stamps are cultural heritage objects that provide an invaluable amount of historical information. There is an increase of counterfeit historical inks and it is imperative that fraudulent stamps can be identified and removed from the market. The portable Raman i-Raman EX® with a 1064 nm laser is used because it minimizes the fluorescence of the ink. The i-Raman EX® also has the functionality of low laser power reduction down to 1% to prevent sample burning and the Raman video microscope system analyzes the smallest of details, which is imperative for cultural heritage analysis of an 1885 historical envelope.

410000005-B

Portable Raman Instrumentation for SERS Applications

For SERS developers and end users of SERS for specific applications to investigate low concetation levels of compounds, the centerpiece of their technological platform must be a Raman setup that provides reliable lab grade performance and is affordable and portable, allowing them to tackle real world problems. The portable i-Raman Plus system coupled with a BAC151 video microscope sampling accessory provides an ideal setup. With the performance and flexibility of use with different laser spot size and power for SERS research.

410000053-A

Quantitative Analysis of a Water-soluble Polymer Using the i-Raman EX Spectrometer

Quantitation of the functionalization of a water-soluble polymer was achieved using a portable Raman spectrometer. The Raman spectrum provides strong, unique bands for both the initial and fully reacted polymer. This enables development of a simple, robust quantitative analysis of the percent polymer functionalization. This method is now routinely used in a manufacturing plant's quality control laboratory.

AN-RA-008

Easy detection of enzymes with the electrochemical-SERS effect

Low sensitivity has limited the use of Raman spectroscopy as a detection method. However, the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect has improved its effectivity for analytical use. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and cytochrome c are analyzed by Raman spectroelectrochemistry as a proof of concept in this Application Note.

AN-RA-006

New strategies for obtaining the SERS effect in organic solvents

Many electrochemical methods have been developed but are traditionally limited to aqueous media. Raman spectroelectrochemistry in organic solutions is an interesting alternative, but developing new EC-SERS procedures is still required. This Application Note demonstrates that the electrochemical activation of gold and silver electrodes enables the detection of dyes and pesticides in organic media.

AN-RS-041

Discriminating counterfeit beer with Raman spectroscopy and PCA

Currently, there are no simple tests to identify counterfeit beer. This Application Note demonstrates the ability of i-Raman EX, the B&W Tek Laboratory Raman instrument with a 1064 nm laser, with principal component analysis (PCA) to distinguish between beers from different brewers and from a mixture of beers.

AN-RS-055

Low-frequency Raman spectroscopy

Low frequency Raman spectroscopy extends conventional Raman analysis by capturing vibrational modes down to 65 cm-1, enabling deeper insights into molecular structure, protein characterization, polymorph identification, and phase changes.

AN-NIR-116

Determination of iodine value in frying oils with NIR spectroscopy

Monitoring the iodine value in edible oil blends is crucial to produce vegetable oils with the desired properties. This Application Note displays the benefit of using the Metrohm NIRS DS2500 Liquid Analyzer for quality control in food laboratories.

AN-RS-009

Verification of fatty acids in functional foods and cosmetics

Determination of the identity and purity of ingredients is essential for the product quality of functional foods (neutraceuticals) and cosmetics. It prevents the utilization of inferior substances in the production process and thus avoids expensive delays and out-of-spec products. This Application Note describes the identification and checking of fatty acids in functional foods and cosmetics using the Metrohm Instant Raman Analyzer MIRA P.

AN-NIR-115

Multiparameter quality control of palm oil with NIR spectroscopy

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) quickly assesses key quality parameters in palm oil such as iodine value and fatty acid profile without sample preparation.

AN-NIR-044

Multiparameter Quality Control of Palm Oil with NIR Spectroscopy

Determination of key quality parameters of palm oil, namely free fatty acids (FFA), iodine value (IV), moisture content, deterioration of bleachability index (DOBI), and carotene require the use of several different analytical methods, which are laborious and can lack in accuracy. This application note demonstrates that the XDS RapidLiquid Analyzer operating in the visible and near infrared spectral region (Vis-NIR) provides a cost-efficient and fast solution for the determination of these quality control parameters in palm oil. With no sample preparation or chemicals needed, Vis-NIR spectroscopy allows for the analysis of palm oil in less than a minute and can be used by anyone.

410000003-A

Portable Raman Spectroscopy for the Study of Polymorphs and Monitoring Polymorphic Transitions

Raman spectroscopy is used for material characterization by analyzing molecular or crystal symmetrical vibrations and rotations that are excited by a laser, and exhibit vibrations specific to the molecular bonds and crystal arrangements in the molecules. Raman technology is a valuable tool in distinguishing different polymorphs. Examples of portable Raman spectroscopy for identification of polymorphs and in monitoring the polymorphic transiton of citric acid and its hydrated form are presented.

AN-NIR-107

Quality control of Bromobutyl rubber

The synthetic rubber known as Bromobutyl (BIIR) has many of the attributes of butyl rubber, but has better adhesion to other rubbers and metals, resulting in substantially faster cure rates. The simultaneous quantification of the bromine content, Mooney viscosity, volatile content, calcium stearate content, and functional bromide in BIIR can be easily performed with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) without the use of chemicals.

AN-NIR-125

Determination of olive oil quality parameters and adulteration with NIR spectroscopy

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) offers a fast, solvent-free alternative to traditional methods for assessing olive oil quality and detecting potential food fraud.

AN-NIR-111

Iodine value, FFA, refractive index, and fatty acid composition in edible oils

Near-infrared spectroscopy can quickly determine multiple edible oil quality parameters simultaneously without sample preparation as shown in this Application Note.

410000052-A

See-Through Measurements of Illicit Substances in Commercial Containers with the TacticID®-1064 ST

The TacticID®-1064 ST is a 1064 nm handheld Raman system designed for law enforcement officials, first responders, and customs and border protection officers for rapid field identification of illicit substances such as narcotics, explosives, and other suspicious materials.The TacticID-1064 ST is specially designed with see-through Raman functionality to measure materials through both transparent and opaque containers. These through-barrier measurements remove the need for active sampling of potentially dangerous compounds such as fentanyl, leading to safer operations and reduced wait time for clear results.

410000025-A

Identification of Forensic Fabrics Using a Portable Raman Spectrometer

At a crime scene, a police officer collects a fiber sample that may prove to be invaluable evidence in identifying a criminal or exonerating an innocent person. In recent years, Raman spectroscopy has been studied extensively for forensic fiber analysis because of the high selectivity of Raman signatures, non-destruction nature of the test, and the ability to conduct the analysis without any sample preparation. The Raman spectrum can be measured directly on fabrics or fibers mounted on glass slide with very little interference from the mounting resin or the glass.

AN-RS-054

Monitoring phosphate reactions in real time with Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy is a fast alternative method to detect phosphate and sulfate species in solution for optimized phosphorus fertilizer production and improved product quality.

410000016-A

Quantification of Urea in Ethanol by Raman Spectroscopy

Urea in widely employed as a nitrogen-release fertilizer with more than 90 % of urea production destined for agricultural applications. Urea is also known to form complexes with fatty acids, which have been employed for separation of complex mixtures and purification processes. In this application note, we present the quantification of the concentration of urea in ethanol by Raman Spectroscopy and show how this method can be employed for determining the percentage of urea in a solid inclusion compound with stearic acid.

410000004-A

Raman Spectroscopy in Archaeological Studies

Portable Raman spectroscopy is an invaluable tool in the study of archaeological sites, allowing for in situ analysis which minimizes the impact of such studies on important cultural sites. The flexibility of the use of a fiber optic probe and tripod-mounted video microscope with a light weight instrument reduces the need for sampling, and increases the ability to make representative measurements over what can be very large sample areas. The information content of Raman spectroscopy aids in the understanding of the materials used in the construction and restoration of important archaeological sites, and in understanding the degradation that is occurring which should aid in preservation and restoration work.

AN-RS-040

Trace Detection of DMT in Plant Matter

Modern recreational use of DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) is growing and although it is legally protected in some countries, new legislation attempts to reduce its abuse and associated adverse health effects. MIRA XTR DS from Metrohm Raman provides rapid and sensitive detection of DMT in the field.

AN-RS-047

Rapid phenotypic identification of microorganisms with Raman

Raman spectroscopy offers a fast, nondestructive way to identify microorganisms and analyze metabolites directly from culture media, without complex genetic sequencing.

AN-RS-056

Quantification of methanol in contaminated spirits

Raman spectroscopy is ideally suited to rapidly screen for methanol contamination in spirits.

AN-EC-033

Utilizing hyphenated EC-Raman to study a model system

This Application Note presents a walkthrough of an experiment on 4-nitrothiophenol using hyphenated EC-Raman, a combination of Raman spectroscopy and electrochemistry.

AN-RS-042

Revealing battery secrets with EC-Raman solutions

Electrochemical Raman (EC-Raman) spectroscopy enhances comprehension of energy storage devices by tracking physicochemical changes. This note details EC-Raman findings during nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery charge and discharge simulations.

AN-RS-052

Assessment of chocolate with Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy is suitable for rapid, nondestructive measurements of chocolate quality indicators (e.g., cocoa and sugar content) in various chocolate types.

AN-RS-007

Identification of polymer masterbatches with Raman spectroscopy

Handheld Raman spectroscopy enables rapid polymer masterbatch analysis, while Metrohm’s XTR® algorithm mitigates fluorescence interference for accurate additive identification.

410000059-B

Characterization of carbon materials with Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy is a valuable tool for the characterization of carbon nanomaterials due to its selectivity, speed, and ability to measure samples nondestructively. Carbon materials typically have simple Raman spectra, but they contain a wealth of information about internal microcrystalline structures in peak position, shape, and relative intensity.

410000013-A

Fast and Selective Detection of Trigonelline, a Coffee Quality Marker, Using a Portable Raman Spectrometer

Portable Raman is used to quantify trigonelline, an alkaloid that contributes to the health benefits of some foods. A simple method to quantify the presence of diluted trigonelline in solutions using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy is described. Portable Raman is a tool that could be used in quality control of food items such as coffee and quinoa.

AN-EC-031

Monitoring ferrocyanide oxidation using hyphenated EC-Raman

This Application Note highlights the use of Metrohm Hyphenated EC-Raman Solutions to monitor the reversible oxidation of ferrocyanide at a gold electrode.

410000051-B

Identification of microplastics with Raman microscopy

Research laboratories must expand their capabilities to routinely analyze candidate microplastics from environmental samples to determine their origin and help predict biological impacts. Spectroscopic techniques are well suited to polymer identification. Laboratory Raman spectroscopy is an alternative to confocal Raman microscopes and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopes for quick identification of polymer materials. Raman microscopy was used to identify very small microplastic particles in this Application Note.

AN-EC-041

Studying nickel deposition with EQCM-D and EC-Raman

This application note demonstrates EQCM D for simultaneous mass and dissipation analysis of Ni(OH)₂ electrodeposition.

410000031-A

Rapid Field Testing of Ecstasy Pills Using a 1064-nm Handheld Raman Device

B&W Tek’s TacticID®-1064 is a field-ready handheld Raman system utilizing 1064-nm wavelength laser excitation. Designed for forensic analysis by safety personnel, first responders, and law enforcement personnel, the TacticID-1064 significantly reduces fluorescence, allowing users to identify tough street samples such as ecstasy tablets in a variety of colors and mixture forms.

AN-RS-034

Orbital Raster Scan (ORS™)

This application note presents the Orbital Raster Scan (ORS) technology from Metrohm Raman to overcome low resolution, poor sensitivity, and sample degradation while still interrogating a large sample area.

AN-FLU-002

Understanding the mechanism of a bioassay indicator by fluorescence

Alamar Blue is monitored with fluorescence spectroelectrochemistry during its irreversible reduction to resorufin and further reversible reduction to dihydroresorufin.