Matís' Chemical Research Department has introduced a new device for preparing samples for the measurement of inorganic trace elements such as lead, mercury, iron and copper. In the device, microwaves and pressure are applied to completely dissolve the samples in acid. In this way, it is possible to prepare the samples in a few minutes instead of 12 hours in Matís' older equipment. The equipment is used both for samples from customers and for Matís' research projects.
The new device facilitates preparation work when the forms of inorganic substances such as arsenic need to be detected. Such analyzes are a new area of research at Matís and are called "elemental speciation" in English. It is very important that the shape of the materials does not change before measurement and then it is good that the temperature in the new device can be controlled very precisely.
Matís has a complete mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for measuring inorganic trace elements and with the introduction of the new device, the equipment has become as good as it can be. Matís can offer customers measurements of all major trace elements in food and feed, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, selenium, cadmium, iron and copper. In addition, the equipment is important for research projects, monitoring of contaminants in products and other projects on the chemical content of food.
Photo: Dr. Sasan Rabieh, Matís' specialist in the analysis of inorganic trace elements, with the new equipment.