Combining elemental analysis and molecular techniques to characterize Ancient Egyptian mummification balms

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 21st September 2026? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezGCMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application notes by Agilent Technologies, LECO and Shimadzu and technical note by Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: Automated Analysis of Foods by ICP-QQQ with Discrete Sampling and Autodilution</h3>Fast, accurate AOAC compliant food analysis using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/icpms/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=9500">Agilent 9500 ICP-QQQ</a> with AVS MS and ADS 2&nbsp;<ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/an_automated_food_analysis_9500_icp_qqq_5994_9095en_agilent_e5869385b0.pdf">Full PDF for download</a>&nbsp;</li></ul>Manufacturers and regulatory bodies, including state and federal governments, have an obligation to ensure that food is safe for human consumption. To protect public health, manufacturers and producers follow rigorous testing procedures, such as AOAC Official Method 2015.01 for the analysis of heavy metals in foods using ICP-MS.1 In recent years, global initiatives have sought to strengthen existing regulations and further reduce contaminant limits, as shown by the US Food and Drug Administration’s Closer to Zero program. Meeting these increasingly stringent targets depends on analytical instruments capable of delivering higher performance, improved sensitivity, and greater accuracy. At the same time, food testing laboratories are actively pursuing greater productivity and workflow efficiency to keep pace with evolving analytical demands.To support these goals, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/icpms/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=9500">Agilent 9500 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS</a> (ICP-QQQ) and Advanced Dilution System (ADS 2) combine seamlessly to streamline methods, improve productivity, and deliver high-quality results. Using the 9500 instrument’s unique Dual-Cell System (DCS) with Advanced Helium Mode (AHM) and Air cell mode enables effective removal of polyatomic and doubly charged interferences and enhances low-mass sensitivity.2,3 In addition, the ADS 2 simplifies sample preparation by creating calibration standards from a stock solution, pre-diluting samples before analysis, and reactively diluting any samples that exceed the calibration range. Together, these technologies support faster, more reliable delivery of accurate results.&nbsp;In this study, various standard reference materials (SRMs) were selected to represent different sample types that may be analyzed in food testing laboratories and to validate the method. As these laboratories often require high productivity, the 9500 ICP-QQQ configuration and analytical method were optimized to maximize sample throughput. The performance of the method was evaluated according to criteria set out in the AOAC 2015.01 method.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>The Agilent 9500 ICP-QQQ with Dual-Cell System (DCS) successfully quantified a broad range of metals in diverse food matrices in accordance with an AOAC standard method. Most elements were measured in AHM, while As and Se were accurately determined at trace levels in Air cell mode using ambient air to eliminate severe doubly charged REE interferences. AHM mode effectively suppressed polyatomic interferences such as NaAr on Cu, even in samples such as NIST 1573a Tomato Leaves, where Na is present at more than 20 times the concentration of Cu.&nbsp;Together, the two DCS gas modes provided comprehensive interference control for routine food analysis, as demonstrated by recoveries of certified elements within ±25% for the food SRMs.&nbsp;Compared to single-quadrupole ICP-MS, DCS operation in both modes reduced analysis time by about 30 seconds per sample. Automation using the Agilent AVS MS discrete sampling accessory, SPS 4 autosampler, and ADS 2 autodilutor further improved productivity and delivered reliable results, including:&nbsp;<ul><li>Detection limits for As, Cd, Pb, and Hg well below the LOQs reported in AOAC 2015.01&nbsp;</li><li>Effective removal of REE2+ interferences on As and Se&nbsp;</li><li>Over 98% Lu recoveries across all SRMs, demonstrating excellent preservation of volatile elements throughout the analysis&nbsp;</li><li>Stable operation over five hours, maintaining CCV and ISTD recoveries within AOAC limits&nbsp;</li></ul>The 9500 ICP-QQQ enables high-throughput, AOAC-compliant food analysis by controlling interferences with AHM and Air cell mode, ideal for labs that need speed, reliability, and accuracy.<h3>2. LECO: Determination of Total Carbon (TC) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in Soil by Acid Digestion and Combustion</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/832_TC_TOC_SOIL_ACID_DIGESTION_COMBUSTION_203_821_679_e5b4978a69.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Total organic carbon (TOC) determination in soil is a widely used method for evaluating soil quality in agriculture. TOC levels are a key indicator of soil vitality, fertility, and capacity for atmospheric carbon sequestration. TOC represents the carbon stored in soil organic matter, which plays a vital role in supporting microbial life, enhancing nutrient availability, and improving soil structure. These benefits translate directly into better water retention, reduced erosion, and more resilient crops—key factors for regenerative systems focused on ecosystem restoration and productivity. TOC levels can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of sustainable practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and the addition of organic matter such as manure and compost. Measuring soil TOC levels helps growers optimize the use of soil amendments like compost and manure to increase organic matter without over-application.<h4>Instrument Model and Configuration&nbsp;</h4>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/1883">LECO C832</a> is a carbon determinator that utilizes hightemperature combustion in a whole oxygen environment to analyze a wide range of sample types. It features a ceramic combustion furnace in a horizontal orientation designed to analyze macro sample masses. Analysis begins when a sample is weighed into a ceramic combustion boat and inserted into the furnace where combustion is initiated under a controlled flow of oxygen. After a preset time, additional oxygen is applied directly above the sample using a ceramic lance to accelerate and complete the combustion process. The gases are swept from the furnace and passed through anhydrone for the removal of moisture and are then carried to a nondispersive infrared (NDIR) cell for detection of carbon as CO2.<h4>Typical Results&nbsp;</h4>For soils containing up to 5 % carbon, a linear, force through origin calibration using LECO synthetic carbon reference materials is recommended. For soils containing more than 5 % carbon, a linear, full regression calibration using LECO synthetic carbon and calcium carbonate reference materials is recommended.<h3>3. Shimadzu: Determination of More Than 25 Nutritional, Essential and Toxic Elements in Whole Blood by ICP-MS Using Alkaline Dilution</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/an_05_sca_116_014_en_5fc2b521ce.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><h5>User Benefits</h5><ul><li>Offering gas switching times &lt;5 sec and ProActive Rinsing function, short sample cycle times can be achieved&nbsp;</li><li>Using whole blood calibrators and control samples in research labs simplifies working routines&nbsp;</li><li>Alkaline media drastically improves washout capabilities for mercury and ensures proper sample stabilization compared to acidic media</li></ul>Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/icpms/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=2050">Shimadzu ICPMS-2050</a> offers ultra-low detection limits and fast multi-element capability required for reliable high throughput measurement of nutritional, essential, and toxic elementsin various complex biological samples.&nbsp;While urine has been widely used to monitor elemental excretion, blood serum represents the protein-free fraction of circulating blood. Whole blood, however, contains both cellular and extracellular components, enabling a more integrated assessment of an individual’s nutritional status and exposure to potentially toxic metals than either urine or serum alone. Accordingly, whole-blood ICP-MS analysis is well suited for research applications such as nutritional assessment, toxicology, and biomonitoring studies.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The ICPMS-2050 LF was specifically configured for robust small volume analysis while reducing carry over, sample cycle times and environmental contamination impacts while being capable of successfully addressing several kind of possibly interference providing most accurate and reliable results.&nbsp;The collision- and reaction cell performs efficiently with flowrates of helium and hydrogen in low levels of 6-7mL/min. At the same time, the method uses the well established Minitorch plasma system, allowing lowest argon consumption while reducing power consumption, which makes it exceptionally cost-effective without compromising performance characteristics.&nbsp;LabSolutions ICPMS software allows to easily control the device, consumable lifetime, QC-recoveries and internal standard stability. Furthermore, features like ProActive Rinsing and Extended Rinsing speed up the method while reducing carryover risks.<h3>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: User-defined calibrations with Niton XL5 Plus user mode</h3><ul><li>Technical note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/pdf/user_defined_calibrations_with_niton_xl5_plus_user_mode_tn1732_en_fc054105e5.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/1992">Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL5 Plus Handheld XRF Analyzer</a> (shown in Figure 1) features a software function called User Mode, designed for experienced users who need to create their own calibrations.User Mode has been developed to provide maximum flexibility for performing empirical calibrations. It allows the user to specify certain parameters and to proceed with analytical method development:&nbsp;<ul><li>Define and select optimal beam conditions, including filter material and voltage*, while the current is dynamically adjusted to the maximum value.&nbsp;</li><li>Select elements and regions of interest from Na to U.&nbsp;</li><li>Select up to 12 background regions to perform background correction, background subtraction, or Compton normalization.&nbsp;</li><li>Select units of measurement for bulk concentrations, coat weight, and coating thickness.&nbsp;</li><li>Acquire normalized count rates for all selected regions of interest.&nbsp;</li><li>Construct calibration curves and apply mathematical fitting (Figure 2).&nbsp;</li><li>Manually enter calibration model equations for selected analytes as a function of element and background region intensities.&nbsp;</li><li>Validate the calibration model.&nbsp;</li><li>Analyze unknown samples.</li></ul>

News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 39, 2026

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions. It affects up to 85% of people during adolescence and, for many, persists into adulthood. Beyond its physical symptoms, it can also significantly affect self-confidence. Treatment often takes time, and some commonly used products can dry out or irritate the skin. Researchers at CEITEC Brno University of Technology (BUT) have developed specially modified cellulose microfibres that effectively inhibited acne-causing bacteria in laboratory tests. The fibres can be used in face masks. These findings could pave the way for new approaches to treating&nbsp;acne-prone skin.The material consists of cellulose acetate microfibres enriched with zinc oxide and subsequently treated with oxygen plasma. The zinc oxide is then gradually released into the skin, where its antibacterial action limits the growth of bacteria associated with acne. Unlike conventional products, the active ingredient is incorporated directly into the fibres and released gradually, allowing for a longer-lasting effect.“The fibres retain high efficacy without any of the additives commonly found in commercial products. The material contains exactly what is needed to combat acne effectively, with no unnecessary ingredients. Our research showed that the fibres retain their antibacterial effect for at least a year after treatment,” says Martina Říhová of the Advanced Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials research group at CEITEC BUT, who led the research. This demonstrated long-term effect opens the door to commercial applications.In the future, the same principle could also be used to treat other skin conditions complicated by bacterial infections, such as atopic dermatitis. The fibres could be incorporated not only into face masks for acne treatment but also into patches for smaller affected areas or dressings suitable for larger areas.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_K_lecbe_akne_muze_pomoci_technologie_inspirovana_vyrobou_cukrove_vaty_2_1be8944b43.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/Jakub Rozboud: Technology Inspired by Cotton Candy Could Help Treat Acne: Martina Říhová from CEITEC BUT during face skin analysis." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_K_lecbe_akne_muze_pomoci_technologie_inspirovana_vyrobou_cukrove_vaty_2_1be8944b43.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067"><h3>Fibres Made Much Like Cotton Candy</h3>The researchers produced the microscopic fibres using centrifugal spinning. The same physical principle is used to make cotton candy, but in this case, fine polymer fibres are formed instead of sugar strands.The breakthrough came from combining a method called Vapour Phase Infiltration, which enriched the fibres with zinc oxide, with subsequent oxygen plasma treatment. This treatment slightly disrupts the surface of the fibres, allowing the active substances to be released upon contact with water.“We were the first in the world to demonstrate this procedure using cellulose acetate fibres,” notes Martina, who has been researching acne and its treatment for seven years. She and her colleagues published their <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403127590_Cellulose_Acetate_Fibers_With_Infiltrated_ZnO_Nanocrystals_Activation_of_Antibacterial_Properties_Against_Acne_vulgaris_by_Oxygen_Plasma_Treatment">findings</a> in Small, one of the world’s leading scientific journals focusing on nanomaterials and nanotechnology.<h3>Researchers from Brno and Spain Joined Forces</h3>Several research teams from different institutions contributed to the material’s development. “Our team, led by Jan Macák, was responsible for preparing the fibres. We then took them to San Sebastián in Spain, to Mato Knez’s team at nanoGUNE, where they carried out the vapour phase infiltration. Next, Lenka Zajíčková’s team at CEITEC BUT treated the fibres with oxygen plasma. Finally, Zbyněk Heger’s team at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Mendel University conducted the antibacterial testing,” says Martina Říhová, describing the collaboration.The research took more than a year. Before the new material can enter routine use, it will need to undergo further biological testing, followed by clinical trials to verify its safety and effectiveness in treating patients.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_K_lecbe_akne_muze_pomoci_technologie_inspirovana_vyrobou_cukrove_vaty_3_b21c60ae29.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/Jakub Rozboud: Technology Inspired by Cotton Candy Could Help Treat Acne: Martina Říhová's microfibres developped for acne treatment." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_K_lecbe_akne_muze_pomoci_technologie_inspirovana_vyrobou_cukrove_vaty_3_b21c60ae29.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067"><blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smll.202513286">Cellulose Acetate Fibers With Infiltrated ZnO Nanocrystals: Activation of Antibacterial Properties Against Acne vulgaris by Oxygen Plasma Treatment</a></h4>Martina Rihova, Denisa Fenclova, Pavan Kumar Chennam, Aniket Mukherjee, David Pavlinak, Susan Azpeitia, Kristyna Cihalova, Miloslav Pouzar, Kaushik Baishya, Lenka Zajíčková, Zbynek Heger, Mato Knez, Jan M. MacakSmall, 2026, 22, e13286<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smll.202513286">10.1002/smll.202513286</a><h6>licenced under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote><h4>Abstract</h4>In this work, we developed biodegradable cellulose acetate (CA) fibers infiltrated with ZnO nanocrystals for the Acne vulgaris (AV) treatment. The antibacterial effect (through Zn²⁺ release) was activated upon oxygen plasma treatment. CA fibers (fiber diameter ≈ 2 µm) were produced via centrifugal spinning, followed by ZnO infiltration (up to 8 wt% of Zn content) using Vapor Phase Infiltration (VPI) with varying deposition cycles. As CA fibers are naturally hydrophobic, oxygen plasma treatment was applied to turn them hydrophilic and to improve skin wetting. The combination of these steps is presented for the first time.Plasma treatment introduced oxygen‐containing functional groups on the CA surface, significantly improving wettability. Scanning electron microscopy analyses of treated fibers showed no morphological damage. Detailed characterization (using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence, X‐ray diffraction, tranmission electron microscopy) focused on fibers with 32 and 128 VPI cycles, revealed that plasma partially oxidized and etched the surface, affecting the ZnO distribution.Plasma‐modified fibers, unlike untreated ones, exhibited antibacterial activity against AV‐causing bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis), creating significant inhibition zones (up to 5 mm), demonstrating their potential as promising therapeutic modality. Overall, plasma treatment enabled effective surface functionalization, producing antibacterial fibers with enhanced surface properties suitable for application in AV management.

Technology Inspired by Cotton Candy Could Help Treat Acne

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Application

Scientific article

Science and research

Since its establishment in 2011, CEITEC has quickly developed into a cutting-edge infrastructure for research which performs highly alongside the best institutes in Europe. Among the main priorities of CEITEC are the promotion of a motivating and dynamic international scientific environment, the provision of state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and the policy of open communication and equal opportunities.

CEITEC

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Metrohm

In this webinar, learn how accurate, reliable and portable screening tools can help detect substandard and counterfeit medicines.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Mustapha Hajjou (PQM, U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention)
</blockquote>

Metrohm: Screening in post-marketing surveillance

Screening in post-marketing surveillance

In this webinar, learn how accurate, reliable and portable screening tools can help detect substandard and counterfeit medicines.

Medicines Quality Screening in post-marketing surveillance

This webinar discusses the official guidelines for the analysis of polyols by NIRS and the basic principles of NIRS and how this technology is implemented in the QC laboratory.
In the practical part, Dr. Omar Sallouh, Head of Quality Assurance &amp; Process Engineering at Rampf Polymer Solutions GmbH &amp; Co. Kg will outline his first-hand experiences with polyol, isocyanates, and silicones analysis using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Metrohm: Efficient QA/QC of polyols by NIRS – Theory and praxis

Efficient QA/QC of polyols by NIRS – Theory and praxis

The official guidelines for the analysis of polyols by NIRS and the basic principles of NIRS and how this technology is implemented in the QC laboratory.

This webinar hosted by the European Pharmaceutical Review together with Metrohm deals with how to implement near-infrared spectroscopy in pharmaceutical processes.

NIRS in pharma processes

How to implement near-infrared spectroscopy in pharmaceutical processes.

Learn more about reducing the cost of quality control using near-infrared spectroscopy. This webinar shows how Herbalife has implemented NIRS in their QC/QA workflows.

Optimized QC with NIRS

Learn more about reducing the cost of quality control using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Discover how NIRS can help you in the monitoring of polymer production. This webinar gives an introduction into the topic and provides some examples of applications in place at Cytec.

NIRS in polymer production

Discover how NIRS can help you in the monitoring of polymer production.

This webinar offers an overview of the possibilities of NIRS for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of personal care products, e.g., creams, hairspray, detergent ingredients, and soap, as implemented at Colgate Palmolive.

Personal care products analysis

Possibilities of NIRS for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of personal care products, e.g., creams, hairspray, detergent ingredients, and soap.

Personal care products analysis by NIRS

This webinar hosted by the European Pharmaceutical review together with Metrohm shows how near-infrared spectroscopy can be used as a PAT tool in the real-time monitoring of the moisture content in different types of dryers.

NIRS: Moisture in dryers

How near-infrared spectroscopy can be used as a PAT tool in the real-time monitoring of the moisture content in different types of dryers.

Learn how near-infrared spectroscopy can be used as a PAT tool from raw material identification to integrated process applications.

NIRS as a PAT tool

Learn how near-infrared spectroscopy can be used as a PAT tool from raw material identification to integrated process applications.

Titration and near-infrared spectroscopy in perfect synergy. Learn how you can monitor polymer production processes effectively.

NIRS and titration

Learn how you can monitor polymer production processes effectively.

Learn about the benefits of near-infrared spectroscopy in conjunction with Karl Fischer titration for fast and robust water determination in personal care products and cosmetics.

NIRS for water determination

Learn about the benefits of near-infrared spectroscopy in conjunction with Karl Fischer titration for fast and robust water determination.