Best of the Week: Green Analytical Chemistry, ISPPP Abstracts
Here are the top five articles that the editors of LCGC International published this week.
This week, LCGC International published a variety of articles on the hottest topics in chromatography and beyond. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular articles, according to our readers. Happy reading!
Jonathan Edelman
In 2024, the 43rd International Symposium on the Separation and Characterization of Proteins, Peptides, and Polynucleotides (ISPPP) will be held. This event will bring together many of the world’s leading authorities to discuss the latest advances and applications for scientists. Issues of separation, purification, and characterization, with other topics including the analysis of proteins, peptides, polynucleotides, and related biomolecules with modern techniques. In this month’s edition of The LCGC Blog, Jonathan Edelman discusses the event in detail and provides a timeline for the upcoming conference.
Green Analytical Chemistry Methods for Microextraction
Aaron Acevedo
Green chemistry has become a popular topic within the analytical science community, with various scientists pushing to make chemistry more sustainable to help preserve human and environmental health. Green analytical chemistry (GAC) has revolutionized sample preparation methodologies by integrating sustainability, efficiency, and safety into procedures while also meeting analytical and economic requirements. In a recent study led by Noorfatimah Yahaya of the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang, Malaysia, different microextraction methods were evaluated using GAC metrics.
Fighting Fentanyl: How GC–IR Can Help Detect Fentanyl and Save Lives
Will Wetzel
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid normally used to treat pain in patients following surgery, accounted for more than 71,000 of the 107,000 overdose deaths in 2021. While using fentanyl in very small doses can have medical benefits in select instances, the drug is currently being produced illegally and being trafficked into the United States through Mexico. Additionally, it can become more potent when mixed with other illegal drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, which can significantly raise the risk of fatal interactions. This has led to an increased need for bettering systems that detect synthetic opioids. As part of this, a recent study, published in the Journal of Forensic Science and led by Jose Almirall from Florida International University (FIU), describes how using a gas chromatography–infrared (GC–IR) library can identify fentanyl-related substances (FRS).
North Carolina Collaboratory Expands PFAS Research Capabilities
Will Wetzel
On March 27, 2024, the North Carolina Collaboratory, an organization focused on advancing scientific research for policymaking in the state of North Carolina, announced a partnership with instrument manufacturer Thermo Fisher Scientific. This pairing involves the purchase of five mass spectrometry (MS) instruments to advance North Carolina’s efforts in analyzing environmental per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS), with the goal being to implement workable solution to address PFAS contamination. These tools will help North Carolina-based researchers address community concerns regarding PFAS toxicity.
ASMS Comes to Anaheim for 2024 Edition
Patrick Lavery
Registration is now open for the 72nd edition of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS)’s Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, or ASMS 2024. Scheduled for June 2–6, 2024, the conference draws in over 6,500 attendees on a yearly basis, with over 3,000 papers being presented in either lecture or poster format. Here, we discuss important deadlines regarding attending the conference and potential opportunities for networking and recreational activities.
2024 EAS Awardees Showcase Innovative Research in Analytical Science
November 20th 2024Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Washington, and other leading institutions took the stage at the Eastern Analytical Symposium to accept awards and share insights into their research.
Inside the Laboratory: The Richardson Group at the University of South Carolina
November 20th 2024In this edition of “Inside the Laboratory,” Susan Richardson of the University of South Carolina discusses her laboratory’s work with using electron ionization and chemical ionization with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to detect DBPs in complex environmental matrices, and how her work advances environmental analysis.
Critical Role of Oligonucleotides in Drug Development Highlighted at EAS Session
November 19th 2024A Monday session at the Eastern Analytical Symposium, sponsored by the Chinese American Chromatography Association, explored key challenges and solutions for achieving more sensitive oligonucleotide analysis.
RAFA 2024 Highlights: Contemporary Food Contamination Analysis Using Chromatography
November 18th 2024A series of lectures focusing on emerging analytical techniques used to analyse food contamination took place on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at RAFA 2024 in Prague, Czech Republic. The session included new approaches for analysing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated alkanes (PCAS), Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOH), and short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs).
