Almsco.com - NEWS

Press release | High definition GC/MS technology

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 @ 14:01:35 GMT

ALMSCO International’s High Definition GC/MS Technology Enables Trace Level Detection of Pesticides in Complex Apple Matrix

Llantrisant, UK (July 27, 2011): ALMSCO International, a division of Markes International Ltd, today announced a new high definition GC/MS method enabling scientists to screen for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as pesticides at trace levels in complex apple matrices, without dependence on extensive sample clean-up. The new method, which is one component of ALMSCO’s extensive food safety offering, is designed to offer optimal sensitivity without comprising speed of analyses and selectivity. This application is detailed in a poster entitled “Environmental and food safety screening of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by GC(xGC)/TOF MS without dependence on extensive sample clean-up”, and is available via www.almsco.com.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including pesticides and dioxins, are chemical compounds produced by human activity and are widely distributed in the environment by natural processes, persisting for many years after forming. POPs become more concentrated as they move up the food chain and food is therefore the most common source of human exposure to these dangerous substances. Pesticides are often used to prevent, destroy and control pests on food crops and can leave residues on agricultural products. This poses a risk to consumers and consumption can result in effects ranging from short-term health problems such as headaches and dizziness to long-term damage to the nervous system and, in some cases, cancer.

Continuous monitoring of pesticides in food is key in controlling exposure and facilitating regulatory compliance. Traditionally, in food industries and quality control (QC) laboratories samples can be rapidly and quantitatively screened for compliance in fast analytical cycles by using triple quadrupole GC/MS. However, when bringing new MRM methods online or adding more compounds to existing methods, it can be difficult to analyse for new and potentially toxic compounds in complex matrices. High definition GC/MS technology, such as ALMSCO International’s Bench-top time of flight (TOF) BenchTOF-dx™, has emerged as a powerful and cost-effective technique for selective, sensitive and precise detection of low level pesticides in food samples. The new method developed by ALMSCO analyses pesticides in a complex apple matrix and enables analysts to screen for both known and unknown compounds at much lower levels with a high degree of definition and clarity. Sample components can be clearly identified, quantified and differentiated from one another, while also retaining the required attributes of speed and selectivity. With modern high definition GC/MS technology, samples can be prepared more quickly and analysed with higher throughput, while also fulfilling regulatory requirements.

In this method, researchers analysed 23 pesticides in a complex apple matrix using the GC/TOF technology. The results show that a BenchTOF-dx platform enables extraction at sub unit mass, substantially reducing matrix effects. When combined with comprehensive GCxGC technology, sub unit mass extraction offers the possibility to further extend the list of analytes that can be screened in a single analysis within a given time. This method enables high performance and productivity pesticide analysis and the sensitivity of the BenchTOF-dx removes the need for extensive sample clean-up. Enhanced productivity is especially beneficial in cases of increased sample demands, for example during a food safety crisis. The launch of this application highlights ALMSCO’s expertise in food safety testing.

For further information on ALMSCO’s food safety offering or the ALMSCO International range of products, please visit www.almsco.com, email enquiries@almsco.com or phone +44 (0)1443 230935.

ALMSCO International posters at ASMS 2011

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 @ 13:44:02 GMT


ALMSCO International will be present at Booth #42 and also have a corporate poster at this years ASMS annual conference in Denver (June 4-9)
ALMSCO, a division of Markes International, will also be presenting two posters: Environmental and food safety screening of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by GC(xGC)/TOF MS without dependence on extensive sample clean-up. Development of a sensitive and reliable method for the measurement of VOC migration from food packaging; GC/TOF MS vs. GC/quadrupole MS Copies of these posters will be available on request (enquiries@almsco.com) following the conference.

ALMSCO to Showcase BenchTOF-dx™ Mass Spectrometer at PittCon (Booth #1322,1323)

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 @ 12:02:09 GMT

Press release

ALMSCO International to Showcase BenchTOF-dx™ Mass Spectrometer Providing Sensitive Analysis without Compromising Speed or Selectivity on booths #1322, 1323

ALMSCO International, a division of Markes International Ltd., will be on booths #1322, 1323 at Pittcon 2011, showcasing its BenchTOF-dx, a mass spectrometer offering the sensitivity and clarity needed to identify the nature of known and unknown compounds at trace levels. In addition, the recently launched Targetview™ software will also be displayed. This innovative software has been designed to automate and improve the detection and measurement of multiple target chemicals in complex GC/MS data sets. When combined with Markes International’s market-leading systems for thermal desorption (TD), this provides a complete solution for analyzing ultra-trace level components in complex samples.

ALMSCO’s innovative bench-top time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, BenchTOF-dx, will be displayed on booths #1322, 1323. Laboratories that screen samples at trace levels will benefit from a method that combines speed and resolution with uncompromised spectral quality. The novel technology enables analysts to screen for both known and unknown compounds at much lower levels with a high degree of definition and clarity.

While alternative techniques offer such a high level of sensitivity they provide too much detail about the identity of the compounds, making it difficult to characterize them at very low levels, the BenchTOF-dx screens samples at trace levels while maintaining sensitivity, speed of analyses and selectivity. An analogy that demonstrates the difference between this mass spectrometer and other instruments that perform high resolution accurate mass (HRAM) MS is that of Google Maps™. This web mapping application enables users to zoom into a house so closely that all that can be viewed are the bricks, thereby making it impossible to identify the house or its location. This feature of Google Maps offers the same results as those generated when using HRAM MS for compound screening. In contrast, the BenchTOF-dx™ provides the equivalent of a Google Map image where the zoom feature has been used at a level at which each house and its specific location in a given street can be clearly distinguished and identified. In the same way the technique used by the BenchTOF-dx™ can clearly distinguish between the different compounds in a sample.

The BenchTOF-dx offers superior full-scan sensitivity at typical GC-quad SIM levels. Trace compounds can be clearly identified, quantified and differentiated from one another, while also retaining the required attributes of speed and selectivity. BenchTOF-dx readily integrates with existing gas chromatographs (GCs) and associated data handling / control packages, enabling analysts to screen samples for trace target compounds at much lower levels on a routine basis and with a negligible learning curve.

ALMSCO will also display its TargetView software. This innovative software benefits users in fields ranging from environmental monitoring to forensic science. TargetView provides a simple and more accurate way of identifying which target compounds are present in a sample, as well as providing reliable peak area information to complement and support quantification by conventional GC/MS data handling packages.

For further information on BenchTOF-dx, TargetView, or the ALMSCO International range of products, please visit booth #1322, 1323 at Pittcon 2011. Alternatively, please visit www.almsco.com, email enquiries@almsco.com or phone +44 (0)1443 230935.

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For further press information please contact: Lindsay Baldry, The Scott Partnership, 1 Whiteside, Station Road, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire CW4 8AA, United Kingdom, Tel: + 44 1477 539 539, Fax: +44 1477 539 540, E-mail: almsco@scottpr.com

Poster presentations at PittCon 2011

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 @ 08:52:55 GMT

ALMSCO has announced it will be presenting the following posters at PittCon 2011:

Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Diesel Engine Particulates Using Direct Sampling Thermal Desorption, Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry and Novel Data Analysis Software

Kurt Thaxton, Paul Morris, Daniel Cooper, Nick Bukowski, Alun Cole

Abstract Number: 1200 - 4P
Session 1200 - GC-MS Methodology
Day and Time: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, Afternoon
Room Blue Area on Exposition Floor - Hall B, Aisles 3900-4500

Comprehensive GCxGC/TOF-MS Analysis of Pesticides in Lettuce Extracts

Daniel Cooper, Nick Bukowski, Damien Rosser, Gareth Roberts

Abstract Number: 1200 - 18P
Session 1200 - GC-MS Methodology
Day and Time: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, Afternoon
Room Blue Area on Exposition Floor - Hall B, Aisles 3900-4500

Evaluation of a Novel Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometer Coupled to a Comprehensive Two-dimensional Gas Chromatograph for Screening Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants in Complex Samples

Nick Bukowski, Daniel Cooper, Gerhard Horner, Damien Rosser, Kurt Thaxton

Abstract Number: 1200 - 19P
Session 1200 - GC-MS Methodology
Day and Time: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, Afternoon
Room Blue Area on Exposition Floor - Hall B, Aisles 3900-4500

ALMSCO to showcase TargetView software and High Definition MS at PittCon 2011

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 @ 15:24:21 GMT

Press release

ALMSCO International to Showcase TargetView™ Software for Improved Analysis of Target Compounds in Complex GC/MS Data at PITTCON 2011 (Booth 1322)

ALMSCO International today announces that it will demonstrate its recently launched TargetView™ software package at PITTCON 2011. The innovative software has been designed to automate and improve detection and measurement of multiple target chemicals in complex GC/MS data sets. The software will benefit GC/MS users in a range of important fields, including environmental monitoring, food/flavour/fragrance profiling, forensic science and testing chemical emissions from consumer goods. ALMSCO will also highlight its bench-top time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, BenchTOF-dx™, with the capability to perform high definition mass spectrometry (HDMS), a cost-effective technique for screening samples at trace levels, offering optimal sensitivity, speed of analyses and selectivity. When combined with Markes International’s market-leading systems for thermal desorption (TD), this provides a total solution for analysing ultra-trace level components in complex samples. ALMSCO will exhibit these innovations on booth #1322, 1323 at PITTCON 2011, Atlanta, GA, March 13-March 18, 2011.

While current compound identification methodology is often time consuming and prone to error (false positives/ negatives) even in expert hands, TargetView provides a simpler and more accurate way of identifying which target compounds are present in a sample. In addition to this it provides reliable peak area information to complement and support quantification by conventional GC/MS data handling packages. TargetView can also be used to identify the total number of compounds present in a sample (knowns and unknowns) by library searching.

Unlike alternative complex GC/MS software platforms, TargetView does not require a significant investment of time to become proficient. The interface and reporting format are easy to use with few parameters requiring manual setting and no need for in-depth knowledge in either deconvolution or chemometrics. Furthermore, the software package can process all common GC/MS data formats, thereby lending itself to simple integration with existing laboratory procedures. TargetView also works with chromatograms of worst-case complexity; e.g. with high numbers of analytes of varying concentrations and with high degrees of compound co-elution.

The new software package compares clean, deconvoluted mass spectral data against EI mass spectra in existing libraries (commercial or proprietary) using a sophisticated chemometric process. It can automatically detect hundreds of target compounds in one run and immediately generates a simple customisable report including details such as retention times, quantification ions, peak area values and match coefficients as required.

ALMSCO International will also showcase its bench-top time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, BenchTOF-dx™ at PITTCON 2011. BenchTOF-dx offers superior full-scan sensitivity at typical GC-quad SIM levels. This high definition mass spectrometer combines speed and resolution with uncompromised spectral quality even at trace concentrations. HDMS is an efficient and cost-effective alternative compound screening technique to high resolution accurate mass (HRAM) mass spectrometry. The novel method enables analysts to screen for both known and unknown compounds at much lower levels with a high degree of definition and clarity. Trace compounds can be clearly identified, quantified and differentiated from one another, while also retaining the required attributes of speed and selectivity.

BenchTOF-dx readily integrates with existing gas chromatographs (GCs) and associated data handling / control packages, enabling analysts to screen samples for trace target compounds at much lower levels on a routine basis and with a negligible learning curve.

For further information on TargetView, HDMS or the ALMSCO International range of products, please visit booth #1322, 1323 at Pittcon 2011. Alternatively, please visit www.almsco.com, email enquiries@almsco.com or phone +44 (0)1443 230935.

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Product launch | TargetView: Target compound detection software for GC/MS

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 @ 14:00:10 GMT

Press release

ALMSCO International Launches TargetView™ Software for Faster, Simpler and More Accurate Analysis of Target Compounds in Complex GC/MS Data

Llantrisant, UK (November 08, 2010) ALMSCO International today announces the launch of its TargetView™ Software package, which has been designed to automate and improve detection and measurement of multiple target chemicals in complex GC/MS data sets. The software will benefit GC/MS users in a range of important fields, including environmental monitoring, food/flavour/fragrance profiling, forensic science and testing chemical emissions, from consumer goods.

Unlike alternative complex GC/MS software platforms, TargetView does not require a significant investment of time to become proficient. The interface and reporting format are easy to use with few parameters requiring manual setting and no need for in-depth knowledge in either deconvolution or chemometrics. Furthermore, the software package can process all common GC/MS data formats, thereby lending itself to simple integration with existing laboratory procedures. TargetView also works with chromatograms of worst-case complexity; e.g. with high numbers of analytes of varying concentrations and with high degrees of compound co-elution.

TargetView is the latest addition to ALMSCO International’s product portfolio, which also includes the bench-top time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, BenchTOF-dx™. BenchTOF-dx offers superior full-scan sensitivity at typical GC-quad SIM levels. It also combines speed and resolution with uncompromised spectral quality even at trace concentrations.

For further information on TargetView or the ALMSCO International range of products, please visit the TargetView pages at www.almsco.com, email enquiries@almsco.com or phone +44 (0)1443 230935.

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Current Trends in Mass Spectrometry | Published article (Oct 2010)

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 @ 16:00:56 GMT

Using Novel TOF-MS to Increase Sensitivity and Confidently Detect Drugs of Abuse in Urine

Oct 2010. A paper published in Advanstar Communication's publication LC-GC (Current Trends in Mass Specrometry).

Abstract

The analysis of urine for drugs of abuse via chromatographic methods is commonplace but can be complicated by high matrix effects and frequent coelution. Novel time-of-flight mass spectrometry in combination with sophisticated deconvolution software was tested and found to provide increased confidence in results due to the high sensitivity and quality of spectra achieved

The paper can be downloaded here free of charge, or will be available soon on Advanstar's website.

Paper published in American Laboratory

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 @ 13:55:17 GMT

ALMSCO International has had a paper published in American Laboratory magazine:

Identifying Trace Compounds in Complex Mixtures with MS Data-Processing Software

The paper describes the application of TargetView, GC/MS data-processing software, to the GC/MS profiles of volatile organic compound (VOC) from construction products; specifically plasterboard (drywall, or gypsum board).

TIAFT conference poster | Minimising false positive results of ‘Drugs of Abuse’

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 @ 15:51:33 GMT

29 August 2010 - 2 September 2010
Bonn, Germany

Minimising false positive results of ‘Drugs of Abuse’ in urine samples by GC-TOF/MS and novel target identification algorithms

Petra Gerhards¹, Juergen Sawazki², Pierre Schanen¹, Gerhard Horner¹, Luzia Schaaf²

¹ ALMSCO International, Gwaun Elai Medi Science Campus, Llantrisant, RCT, CF72 8XL, United Kingdom
² Apotheke der LVR Klinik Viersen, Germany

Poster is available for download here

NEW application notes available for download

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 @ 10:25:03 GMT

ALMSCO International has recently published several new application notes which utilise its TargetView™ software.

TargetView software has been designed by ALMSCO International to detect and identify predetermined (target) compounds within complex GC/MS (TIC) data files.

ANTV10 | Application of TargetView software within the food industry the identification of pyrazine compounds in potato crisps

ANTV11 | Automatic detection of trace target compounds in complex chemical emission profiles from products and materials

ANTV12 | Application of TargetView™ software in the fragrance industry: Accurate identification of allergens with fast GC

These can be downloaded free of charge from the application note section of this site

Almsco.com - NEWS

Press release | High definition GC/MS technology

ALMSCO International’s High Definition GC/MS Technology Enables Trace Level Detection of Pesticides in Complex Apple Matrix

ALMSCO International posters at ASMS 2011

ALMSCO to Showcase BenchTOF-dx™ Mass Spectrometer at PittCon (Booth #1322,1323)

Press release

ALMSCO International to Showcase BenchTOF-dx™ Mass Spectrometer Providing Sensitive Analysis without Compromising Speed or Selectivity on booths #1322, 1323

Poster presentations at PittCon 2011

ALMSCO has announced it will be presenting the following posters at PittCon 2011:

Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Diesel Engine Particulates Using Direct Sampling Thermal Desorption, Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry and Novel Data Analysis Software

Comprehensive GCxGC/TOF-MS Analysis of Pesticides in Lettuce Extracts

Evaluation of a Novel Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometer Coupled to a Comprehensive Two-dimensional Gas Chromatograph for Screening Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants in Complex Samples

ALMSCO to showcase TargetView software and High Definition MS at PittCon 2011

Press release

ALMSCO International to Showcase TargetView™ Software for Improved Analysis of Target Compounds in Complex GC/MS Data at PITTCON 2011 (Booth 1322)

Product launch | TargetView: Target compound detection software for GC/MS

Press release

ALMSCO International Launches TargetView™ Software for Faster, Simpler and More Accurate Analysis of Target Compounds in Complex GC/MS Data

Current Trends in Mass Spectrometry | Published article (Oct 2010)

Using Novel TOF-MS to Increase Sensitivity and Confidently Detect Drugs of Abuse in Urine

Abstract

Paper published in American Laboratory

ALMSCO International has had a paper published in American Laboratory magazine:

Identifying Trace Compounds in Complex Mixtures with MS Data-Processing Software

TIAFT conference poster | Minimising false positive results of ‘Drugs of Abuse’

29 August 2010 - 2 September 2010Bonn, Germany

Minimising false positive results of ‘Drugs of Abuse’ in urine samples by GC-TOF/MS and novel target identification algorithms

Poster is available for download here

NEW application notes available for download

ALMSCO International has recently published several new application notes which utilise its TargetView™ software.

29 August 2010 - 2 September 2010
Bonn, Germany