Top 5 Benefits of Liquid Handling Automation for Routine Food Testing

Significance of the Topic

Routine analysis in food and beverage testing demands high throughput, accuracy, and traceability. Manual pipetting is time-consuming, prone to errors, and limits lab productivity. Automation of liquid handling streamlines workflows, improves data quality, and allows analysts to focus on critical tasks.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note highlights the advantages of integrating the Andrew+™ pipetting robot with OneLab software into routine food testing workflows. It assesses impacts on productivity, chemical handling, data reliability, and traceability, using real-world analyst feedback.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The study employed the Andrew+ automated pipetting system configured with standard pipettes and labware. Methods were programmed and executed via OneLab cloud-native software, which adjusts volumes based on sample viscosity and dilution requirements. Analysts compared automated protocols to manual pipetting across assays such as amino acid analysis, pesticide quantification, sugar profiling, and vitamin determination.

Used Instrumentation

• Andrew+™ Pipetting Robot (Waters Corporation)
• OneLab™ cloud-native protocol design and execution software

Key Findings and Discussion

• Increased productivity: Automation saved 30–60 minutes per analyst daily, enabling focus on higher-value tasks.
• Reduced chemical handling: OneLab calculates precise reagent volumes, minimizing waste and exposure.
• Improved reliability: Automated protocols delivered consistency equivalent or superior to manual methods.
• Enhanced traceability: Full audit trails of protocols and data ensure compliance and reproducibility.
• Cost and time savings: Consistent results and reduced errors lead to faster return on investment.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• High-throughput amino acid, pesticide, sugar, and vitamin analyses with minimal manual intervention
• Standardized workflows that reduce training time and error rates
• Scalable solution for laboratories seeking robust QA/QC processes in food and beverage analysis

Future Trends and Opportunities

• Integration of advanced analytics and machine learning for predictive maintenance and error detection
• Expansion into fully automated end-to-end laboratory workflows, including sample preparation and data reporting
• Increased connectivity within digital laboratory ecosystems to enable remote monitoring and collaborative method development

Conclusion

The Andrew+ automated pipetting system, paired with OneLab software, significantly enhances routine food testing by improving speed, accuracy, and traceability. Adoption of liquid handling automation empowers laboratories to meet growing analytical demands, maintain compliance, and optimize resource utilization.