<p><strong>🎤Dr. Steven Weinman </strong>(Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Alabama)</p><p><strong>Steven shares his journey from chemical engineering student to membrane researcher, and explains how membranes are used not only for water purification, but also for sample preparation, pre-treatment, and concentration in analytical workflows. The conversation dives deep into PFAS removal, nanofiltration vs. reverse osmosis, and how chromatography and mass spectrometry are essential for validating membrane performance.</strong></p><h4><strong>Key topics discussed include:</strong></h4><ul><li>How membranes function as separation and concentration tools</li><li>Nanofiltration vs. reverse osmosis for salts and PFAS</li><li>The role of chromatography (LC-MS, GC-MS, ion chromatography) in verifying contaminant removal</li><li>Challenges in scaling academic separation technologies to industry</li><li>Sustainability in membrane manufacturing and PFAS-related regulations</li><li>Training students to balance fundamental science with real-world applications</li></ul><p>Whether you work in environmental analysis, chromatography, mass spectrometry, water quality, or separation science, this episode provides valuable insight into how different separation technologies complement each other—and where the field is heading next.</p><h3><strong>Video Transcription</strong></h3><h4><strong>Introduction</strong></h4><p>Membrane-based separations have become a central part of modern water treatment and resource recovery, offering energy-efficient routes for purification, concentration, and selective contaminant removal. In this discussion, Stephen reflects on his path into chemical engineering and membrane science, then explores how membrane technologies fit within broader separation science, how selectivity is designed into membrane systems, and why translation from academic research to industrial deployment remains challenging.</p><p>His perspective spans both fundamental membrane science and practical engineering, with particular emphasis on water treatment, contaminant removal, sustainable membrane manufacturing, and the realities of research funding and scale-up.</p><h4><strong>From Chemical Engineering to Membrane Research</strong></h4><p>Stephen’s route into membrane science began indirectly. Although his early interests were far removed from chemical engineering, he found himself drawn to chemistry and mathematics during high school, which led him to pursue chemical engineering at the University of Kentucky. His first direct exposure to research came through a cooperative placement with a university-affiliated research institute, where he worked on ceramic membrane systems for coal-fired power plant applications.</p><p>That experience introduced him to bench-scale research, scientific literature, and technical presentation, while also clarifying that research was more appealing to him than traditional industrial internships. He subsequently joined the laboratory of a membrane scientist at the University of Kentucky, where he began working on polymeric membranes for water treatment. This set the direction for graduate study, ultimately leading him to Clemson University, where he pursued PhD research on antifouling membranes using surface chemistry and patterning approaches.</p><p>Although his original career plan had been to join a membrane company after graduate school, that trajectory changed late in his doctoral training. Encouragement from colleagues and family led him to consider academia, where he could define his own research questions and continue mentoring students. He joined the University of Alabama immediately after graduation and has since built a research program focused on water treatment problems using membranes, solvents, and polymer-based sorbents.</p><h4><strong>Membrane Separation in the Broader Context of Analytical and Separation Science</strong></h4><p>Stephen frames membranes as one tool within a broader separation science landscape. Their role depends entirely on the feed composition, the desired product stream, and the ultimate process objective. In some cases, membranes are ideal for concentrating target species or dewatering mixtures. In others, they serve as pretreatment tools, removing particulates, unwanted macromolecules, or selected contaminants before downstream analytical or processing steps.</p><p>This logic parallels broader analytical workflows, including chromatographic and spectrometric methods, where sample preparation and matrix simplification are often critical. Even very routine laboratory operations, such as syringe filtration, rely on membrane principles. In that sense, membranes are already embedded in many analytical workflows, even when they are not the primary focus.</p><p>He also points out that certain membrane-based systems can begin to overlap conceptually with chromatographic approaches, particularly in applications such as protein and biologics purification, where membrane adsorbers and membrane chromatography can provide high-throughput alternatives to conventional packed columns.</p><h4><strong>Membrane Selectivity: Matching the Separation to the Problem</strong></h4><p>A recurring theme in the discussion is that membrane selection is application-specific. The right membrane depends on what must be retained, what must pass through, and whether the goal is purification, concentration, or fractionation.</p><p>Stephen distinguishes between several broad classes of membranes. Microfiltration and ultrafiltration operate largely through size exclusion, although charge effects may still contribute. These are useful when target species differ sufficiently in size. At the more selective end, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis are used for salts, small molecules, and persistent contaminants. Nanofiltration is often well suited for rejecting divalent ions while allowing more monovalent ions to pass, whereas reverse osmosis is required when more complete salt rejection is necessary.</p><p>For contaminants such as PFAS, nanofiltration can reject a substantial fraction of compounds, although shorter-chain and smaller species are more difficult. Reverse osmosis offers broader rejection, but also with higher pressure requirements. This highlights a central engineering tradeoff: tighter selectivity generally requires higher energy input.</p><p>He emphasizes that membrane systems always produce at least two streams: a permeate stream and a retentate or concentrate stream. Designing the separation therefore requires consideration not only of product quality but also of what happens to the reject stream. In many cases this becomes a waste stream; in others, it may represent a concentrated resource that requires additional processing or recovery.</p><h4><strong>Advances in Membrane Materials and System Performance</strong></h4><p>Over the course of more than a decade in membrane science, Stephen has seen important improvements in commercial membrane technology, particularly in the area of lower-pressure reverse osmosis. Traditionally, reverse osmosis has required higher operating pressures than nanofiltration. Recent developments have reduced that burden, allowing similar water productivity at lower pressure or smaller membrane area for a given throughput.</p><p>These advances matter because they reduce either energy demand or plant footprint, both of which are significant in industrial and municipal treatment systems. While pressure recovery devices have also improved overall system efficiency, he distinguishes those engineering gains from the membrane materials themselves.</p><p>On the research side, he highlights the emergence of membrane adsorbers and related hybrid technologies that can support faster, higher-throughput separations than conventional column-based workflows. These have gained particular traction in the purification of proteins and biologics, although he suggests that similar concepts may become increasingly relevant in water treatment and selective ion or molecule recovery.</p><h4><strong>Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry as Tools for Membrane Research</strong></h4><p>Although many membrane processes target relatively simple separations such as desalination, more advanced membrane studies increasingly rely on analytical chemistry for validation and mechanistic insight. Stephen describes how chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods are essential when the separation targets are more complex than salts.</p><p>His group uses ion chromatography for specific ionic analytes, as well as GC-MS and electrospray-based methods for organic compounds and degradation products. One recent example involved a biocatalytic membrane designed to degrade phthalates, where GC-MS was used to detect both the parent phthalate and the resulting breakdown products. In such cases, analytical methods are not merely confirmatory; they are central to demonstrating that the membrane or membrane-coupled system is functioning as intended.</p><p>This reinforces the idea that membrane science and analytical chemistry are closely linked in emerging applications, especially where contaminant transformation, trace-level detection, or selective removal must be verified rigorously.</p><h4><strong>The Difficulty of Scale-Up</strong></h4><p>One of the most substantial barriers in membrane research is translation from academic bench-scale work to industrial or municipal scale. Stephen identifies two major constraints: time and cost.</p><p>Academic demonstrations often rely on reaction steps, modification procedures, or fabrication methods that work well on the laboratory scale but are far too slow for industrial practice. A protocol that takes hours or days in a research setting is rarely attractive to a manufacturer seeking cycle times measured in seconds or minutes. Likewise, materials that seem acceptable at gram scale may be prohibitively expensive at production scale, although the reverse may also be true if bulk pricing is favorable.</p><p>The more fundamental challenge is that academic research is not usually funded to perform pilot-scale development. The mission is often centered on fundamental science and student training, not industrial process engineering. Moving from proof-of-concept to deployable technology requires time, equipment, space, and funding that many university laboratories simply do not have.</p><p>For this reason, Stephen sees academia’s main role as laying the conceptual and technical groundwork. If a technology shows promise, the ideal outcome is that an industrial partner, start-up, or other translational pathway takes it further. In some cases, research can be designed from the start with scalability in mind. He cites current work on reverse osmosis membrane additives as an example, where the goal is not to reinvent membrane fabrication but to introduce a change that could plausibly fit existing manufacturing workflows.</p><h4><strong>Sustainability and Greener Membrane Science</strong></h4><p>Membrane processes themselves are often relatively energy efficient compared with thermal separations, but Stephen notes that membrane manufacturing still has significant room for improvement. Conventional membrane fabrication often relies on hazardous, petroleum-derived solvents, and one area of active research is the substitution of greener or bio-based alternatives.</p><p>Another direction is the use of waste plastics as feedstock for membrane fabrication. The rationale is pragmatic: if such plastics are already present in the environment, converting them into membranes may extend their useful lifetime and partially offset their environmental burden. More biodegradable or less petroleum-dependent polymers are also attractive, but they must still meet cost and performance requirements.</p><p>He also discusses an important regulatory issue involving polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), one of the most widely used membrane polymers. Debate over whether it should be treated as a PFAS-related material could have major implications for membrane manufacturing and use. From his perspective, classifying PVDF in that way would create significant disruption, especially given its central role in current membrane systems.</p><h4><strong>Funding, Student Training, and the Academic Mission</strong></h4><p>The final part of the discussion turns to the academic research environment itself. Stephen emphasizes that the most important responsibility of his laboratory is not simply generating new membrane concepts, but training students and ensuring that they can complete their degrees in a supportive research environment.</p><p>Funding uncertainty directly affects that mission. Reduced proposal success rates make it harder to maintain the number of graduate students needed for a healthy research group. This has implications beyond immediate staffing. Laboratories function best when experienced students train newer members, creating continuity in methods, culture, and technical knowledge. If groups shrink too far, that continuity is lost.</p><p>He views graduate research as both education and work experience. Students are not only learning theory; they are learning how to think as researchers, solve open-ended problems, and contribute to technologies that may eventually benefit industry. From that perspective, sustaining student support is one of the most important parts of maintaining a strong academic research ecosystem.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion</strong></h4><p>Stephen presents membrane science as a field that sits at the intersection of chemical engineering, separation science, and analytical chemistry. Membranes are already deeply integrated into both industrial treatment and laboratory workflows, but their future depends on continued progress in selectivity, sustainability, and manufacturability.</p><p>At the same time, the discussion makes clear that technical performance alone is not enough. For membrane technologies to move from the laboratory to practice, they must be scalable, economically realistic, and supported by strong analytical validation. Academic laboratories can provide the foundational science and early demonstrations, but broader adoption depends on partnerships, funding, and translational effort.</p><p>Perhaps most importantly, the conversation highlights that advances in membrane science are inseparable from the students and researchers who carry them forward. In that sense, the future of separations depends not only on materials and methods, but also on sustaining the people who develop them.</p><blockquote><p><strong>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</strong></p></blockquote><blockquote><h4><strong>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast</strong></h4><p>Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!</p><p>You can find <strong>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast </strong>in podcast apps:</p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL"><strong>Spotify</strong></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/tz/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography/id1788429185"><strong>Apple podcast</strong></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podscan.fm/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography"><strong>podscan</strong></a></li></ul><p>and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ChromatographyTalk/videos"><strong>YouTube channel</strong></a></p></blockquote>

Selective Separations: What Membrane Science Can Teach Chromatographers

<div><section><div><div><div><div><div><div><p><strong>This study examines the impact of iron deficiency on body composition and metabolism in women with obesity. Iron-deficient individuals exhibited higher fat mass, elevated circulating fatty acids, and a reduced muscle-to-fat ratio prior to bariatric surgery.</strong></p><p>One year post-surgery, the iron-deficient group showed lower skeletal muscle mass and continued unfavorable body composition, alongside reduced amino acid levels. These findings suggest that iron deficiency exacerbates metabolic dysfunction and negatively affects obesity-related outcomes.</p></div></div></div></div><blockquote><h4><strong>The original article</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006"><strong>Iron Deficiency Is Associated with Increased Circulating Fatty Acids and Unfavorable Body Composition in Women with Obesity</strong></a></h4><p>Jessica Monteiro Volejnik Pino, Ana Paula de Oliveira Ferreira, Raquel da Silveira Campos, Marcos Mônico-Neto, Vitória Fernandes da Silva, Melissa Yumi Kato, Gabriel Trigo Pereira, Isabella Mendes Borghetti, Thais Regiani Cataldi, Thales Delmondes Galvão, Lia Rita Azeredo Bittencourt, Sergio Tufik, and Kil Sun Lee*</p><p>ACS Nutr. Sci. 2026, 1, 1, 28–35</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006">https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006</a></p><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"><strong>CC-BY 4.0</strong></a></h6></blockquote><p><strong>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.</strong></p><div><p>Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies. Although children and women in reproductive phase are the most well-known demographic groups affected by iron deficiency, increased prevalence of iron deficiency in the population with obesity has also been reported. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1−3)</a> The cause of iron deficiency in obesity appears to involve both insufficient dietary iron intake and poor dietary quality and the secondary effects of hormonal and metabolic changes that occur in obesity. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(4−6)</a></p><p>Iron plays essential roles in several vital functions, such as oxygen transport, cellular respiration, and energy production. Thus, inadequate intake of the micronutrient or problems in its homeostasis for a prolonged period can impair several physiological functions. In fact, changes in systemic iron homeostasis are known to affect the endocrine functions, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(7)</a> including the secretion of adipokines. In humans, for instance, serum ferritin has been reported to be negatively correlated with serum adiponectin levels. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(8−10)</a> Bioavailability of iron is also important for cardiac and renal function <a href="javascript:void(0);">(11)</a> and glycemic control, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(12)</a> and iron deficiency is known to be related to the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(2,13)</a> Moreover, hepatic iron plays a key role in the synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids. Elevated hepatic iron levels enhance the expression of several enzymes in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, such as HMG-CoA reductase, leading to increased hepatic cholesterol content. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(14)</a> A transcriptomic study further demonstrated a significant upregulation of genes involved in cholesterol synthesis in response to high iron intake, highlighting the importance of iron in this metabolic process. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(15)</a></p><p>Considering the importance of iron in cardiac function and metabolic homeostasis, the most affected physiological functions in obesity, it is plausible to hypothesize that iron deficiency could worsen the clinical prognosis of obesity. Indeed, our previous study demonstrated that women with grade III obesity had lower iron levels compared to those with grade I or II obesity. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(16)</a></p><p>Despite the potential negative impact of iron deficiency on metabolism and its consequences for noncommunicable chronic diseases such as obesity, few studies have examined the metabolic profile of individuals with both iron deficiency and obesity. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the impact of iron deficiency on the profile of circulating metabolites in women with obesity. We also evaluated how an iron deficiency influences the response to bariatric surgery, a procedure increasingly used to treat obesity.</p></div><div><h4><strong>2. Materials and Methods</strong></h4><h5><strong>2.5. Analysis of Plasma Metabolic Profile by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)</strong></h5><p>Derivatized samples (1 μL of each) were injected in splitless mode into a gas chromatograph (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890"><strong>8890GC Agilent Technologies</strong></a>, Santa Clara, CA, USA) equipped with a capillary column of fused silica, measuring 20 m in length, 0.18 mm of internal diameter and 0.18 μm of film thickness (Agilent J&amp;W Scientific, Santa Clara, CA, USA). The initial temperature of the column was 80 °C, which was maintained for 2 min and then increased by 15 °C/min up to 305 °C. The injection started 300 s after initiating data acquisition at a temperature of 280 °C, with a flow of 20 mL/min. The column effluent was introduced into the ion source of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/36"><strong>mass spectrometer TOFMS (Pegasus BT</strong></a>, Leco, St. Joseph, MI, USA). The temperature of the ion source was 250 °C, the electron beam was 70 eV, and the ionization current was 2.0 mA. The detector voltage was fixed at 1500 V, and 20 spectra/s were acquired in the range of 45–800 <i>m</i>/<i>z</i>. Three sets of alkanes (C12–C28) were run at the beginning, middle, and end of the samples to test the performance of the GC-MS and calculate the retention index. The coefficient of variation of the retention time, retention index, and peak intensity is shown in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006/suppl_file/ns5c00006_si_001.pdf">Supporting Information, Table 1</a>.</p></div></div></div></section></div><h5><strong>2.6. GC/MS Data Processing</strong></h5><p>GC/MS data were processed using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/41"><strong>ChromaTOF</strong></a> for BT, v 1.2.0.6, in which baseline correction, deconvolution, retention-time correction, and retention-index calculation were carried out. The alignment of peaks and identification of metabolites were performed using the NIST library, version 2.4 (2020). Only those features with a total ion count above 250 that presented at least three matching peaks and a score equal to or higher than 800 were considered as valid metabolites. In addition, only metabolites that were consistently detected in at least 5 of 7 samples of at least one group were included in the further data analysis (Supporting Information, Figure 1A,B). Supporting Information, Figure 1C and D show, respectively, the number of metabolites that were not detected in each sample and the total peak intensity of each sample. The peak intensity of each metabolite was normalized to a total peak intensity. Due to a technical issue during the GC/MS run, one sample from the postoperative iron-sufficient group (IS) was excluded from the metabolomic analysis. Thus, the final analysis included 7 participants in the iron-deficient (ID) group and 6 in the postoperative IS group.</p><h4><strong>3. Results</strong></h4><p>First, the effect of iron deficiency was evaluated in preoperative samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) was able to cluster and distinguish the ID group from the IS group (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006#fig2">Figure 2</a>A). Principal component 1 (PC1) and principal component 2 (PC2) together were responsible for a 47.8% variation of the metabolomic profile. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006#fig2">Figure 2</a>B and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006/suppl_file/ns5c00006_si_001.pdf">Supplementary Table 5</a> show the metabolites that were increased or decreased in the ID group compared to the IS group in presurgical condition. Amino acids and related metabolites showed random behavior, with some increasing and others decreasing in the ID group compared to the IS group. However, all fatty acids or their conjugation had increased abundance in the ID group, while propanedioic acid, a precursor for fatty acid synthesis, also known as malonic acid, had a lower abundance in the ID group (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006#fig2">Figure 2</a>B, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006/suppl_file/ns5c00006_si_001.pdf">Supplementary Table 5</a>). Since the plasma samples were collected in the fasting state, increased circulating fatty acids may indicate a higher rate of lipolysis in the ID group.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Nutr_Sci_2026_1_1_28_35_Figure_2_Metabolomic_differences_between_preoperative_iron_sufficient_and_iron_deficient_groups_d8dc1d7bc1.jpg" alt="ACS Nutr. Sci. 2026, 1, 1, 28–35: Figure 2. Metabolomic differences between preoperative iron sufficient and iron deficient groups. (A) After principal component analysis, a scatter plot was constructed using principal components (PC) 1 and 2, which respectively explained 31.8% and 16% of the variation of the metabolomic data. Red dots represent women in the iron sufficient group (IS) and green dots represent women in the iron deficient group (ID) at the presurgery moment. Ellipses indicate a confidence interval of 95%. (B) Volcano plot shows log 2 of the fold change calculated as a ratio of ID/IS in x-axis and −log 10 of p-values in the y-axis. Blue dots indicate metabolites with a lower abundance and red dots represent metabolites with an increased abundance in the ID (n = 7) group compared to the IS (n = 7) group." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Nutr_Sci_2026_1_1_28_35_Figure_2_Metabolomic_differences_between_preoperative_iron_sufficient_and_iron_deficient_groups_d8dc1d7bc1.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2014" height="760"></p><p>In the fasting state, adipose tissues are the main source of circulating fatty acids. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between body fat mass and total circulating fatty acid levels calculated by summing the relative abundance of all free and conjugated fatty acids detected in GC/MS. Total fatty acid levels showed a weak positive, nonsignificant, correlation with body fat (rho = 0.28, <i>p</i> = 0.3 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006#fig3">Figure 3</a>A) and a negative correlation with serum iron, but not with serum ferritin (rho = −0.57, <i>p</i> = 0.04 and rho = −0.46, <i>p</i> = 0.10, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006#fig3">Figure 3</a>B,C). Additionally, body fat mass was negatively correlated with serum ferritin, but not with serum iron (rho = −0.48, <i>p</i> = 0.08 and rho = 0.62, <i>p</i> = 0.08; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006#fig3">Figure 3</a>D,E). These data suggest that ID in obesity is associated with an increase in circulating fatty acids during fasting. Moreover, systemic iron deficiency reduced iron availability in adipose tissue (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006/suppl_file/ns5c00006_si_001.pdf">Supplementary Figure 3</a>), which may contribute to altered lipid mobilization under fasting conditions.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Nutr_Sci_2026_1_1_28_35_Figure_3_Relationship_between_circulating_fatty_acids_body_fat_mass_and_iron_status_in_presurgery_moment_3d983519ba.jpg" alt="ACS Nutr. Sci. 2026, 1, 1, 28–35: Figure 3. Relationship between circulating fatty acids, body fat mass and iron status in presurgery moment. Pearson correlation analysis was performed using presurgery data of total circulating fatty acids with body fat mass (A), serum iron (B), or serum ferritin (C). Correlation between body fat mass and serum iron (D) or serum ferritin (E) was also evaluated. Brown dots represent samples of the ID group (n = 7) and blue dots represent samples of the IS group (n = 7). Solid line shows linear relationship and dotted line represent 95% confidence interval." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Nutr_Sci_2026_1_1_28_35_Figure_3_Relationship_between_circulating_fatty_acids_body_fat_mass_and_iron_status_in_presurgery_moment_3d983519ba.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1857" height="1009"></p><h4><strong>4. Discussion</strong></h4><p>Iron deficiency is a frequent comorbidity of obesity and may arise due to several interconnected factors, such as chronic low-grade inflammation, which increases hepatic hepcidin production and reduces intestinal iron absorption. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(19)</a> Inadequate diets, with low iron intake and poor nutritional quality, which also contribute to aggravating this condition, in addition to the secondary effects of hormonal and metabolic changes associated with obesity. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(4−6)</a> In this study, we showed that women with obesity and concomitant ID accumulate more body fat and circulating fatty acids compared with those with normal iron status.</p><p>The accumulation of fatty acids under iron-deficient conditions is a biochemically expected consequence, as the catabolism of fatty acids depends on the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which requires iron as a cofactor. However, the fact that elevated levels of circulating fatty acids can exacerbate obesity-related pathological symptoms is not typically considered in clinical management and treatment strategies. One reason this marker is rarely used in clinical practice is the lack of standardization in measurement, and absence of well-established reference ranges. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(20)</a></p><p>Previous studies corroborate our findings that iron deficiency is associated with significant changes in lipid metabolism. In animal models, iron deficiency led to increased levels of fatty acids in the liver and serum, especially linoleic acid. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(21)</a> On the other hand, another study demonstrated that high levels of ferritin are associated with greater mobilization of fatty acids and insulin resistance in obese women, increasing the systemic availability of fatty acids. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(22)</a> Thus, both iron deficiency and excess can deregulate lipid metabolism. In this context, the increase in circulating fatty acids can accumulate in insulin-sensitive organs, such as the liver and muscles, impairing insulin signaling and increasing the risk of insulin resistance. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(23,24)</a> Therefore, assessing and controlling iron levels in obesity can help minimize related complications.</p><p>Regarding the effect of preoperative iron deficiency on the outcome of bariatric surgery, both the IS and ID groups showed weight loss one year after surgery. However, the ID group presented a lower percentage of skeletal muscle mass (PSMM) and muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR) compared to the IS group. These findings are consistent with the literature, which points to a relationship between iron deficiency and lower muscle mass. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(25)</a> Moreover, in this study, significant reduction of leucine and valine was observed only in the ID group, although the levels of these amino acids were not significantly different between the ID and IS groups in postsurgical condition. Nevertheless, we have not assessed iron status in postsurgical samples, but it is known that bariatric surgery itself increases risks for micronutrient deficiency. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(19,26,27)</a> Even though all participants received postoperative nutritional supplementation to prevent such deficiencies, including iron, it is difficult to distinguish presurgical ID effects on postsurgical measures.</p><p>The literature data are somewhat contradictory with regard to the effect of branched chain amino acids (BCAA). In general, it appears that increased BCAA is harmful in unhealthy conditions such as diabetes and obesity. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(28)</a> Specially, valine metabolite, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid, is known to cause glucotoxicity and impairment of insulin signaling in muscle of mice fed with high fat diet. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(29)</a> Interestingly, the ketogenic metabolite of BCAA, 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid, was increased in the ID group compared to the IS group in presurgical conditions (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acsnutrsci.5c00006/suppl_file/ns5c00006_si_001.pdf">Supplementary Table 5</a>). On the other hand, in healthy conditions, higher levels of BCAA can prevent sarcopenia. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(30,31)</a> Indeed, we observed moderate correlation between postsurgical skeletal muscle mass and leucine levels. Significant reduction in valine and leucine observed after surgery in the ID group might have contributed to the lower postsurgical SMM percentage and muscle-to-fat ratio in that group.</p><p>A limitation of our study is the small sample size. However, due to the lack of a gold standard for diagnosis of ID in obesity, the sample was selected based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our results demonstrate that preoperative iron deficiency is associated with changes in body composition and lipid metabolism, which may aggravate conditions related to obesity. To our knowledge, while previous studies have described the association between obesity and iron deficiency and the impact of bariatric surgery on iron status, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(19)</a> there is limited evidence on the effects of iron deficiency both before and after surgery. Our findings provide novel insights and reinforce that proper diagnosis and management of ID in this population may improve overall health and the effectiveness of weight loss strategies.</p>

Iron Deficiency Is Associated with Increased Circulating Fatty Acids and Unfavorable Body Composition in Women with Obesity

<p><strong>In the week of April 20, the following webinars await you in the field of gas / solid phase and especially Raman, FTIR, GC and GC/MS.</strong></p><blockquote><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinars"><strong>👉 DETAILS AND REGISTRATION IN THE WEBINARS SECTION</strong></a></h4><p><strong>👉 Search and filter in the largest global database</strong> with over <strong>5 500 GC, LC, MS and spectroscopy webinars</strong>.</p></blockquote><div><div><div><div><div><div><h5><strong>1. Agilent Technologies: Agilent Solutions for Natural Gas Analysis in Coal-to-Gas Acceleration</strong></h5><ul><li>Tu, 21.4.2026 08:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6057">Registration</a></li></ul><p>This session covers the holistic landscape, followed by an in-depth look at how the Agilent workflow is specialized and flexible to support operational agility.</p><h5><strong>2. SelectScience: What’s in your hydrogen? Analytical toolkits for fuel purity analysis</strong></h5><ul><li>We, 22.4.2026 10:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6055">Registration</a></li></ul><p>Join this dual-session webinar on hydrogen impurity testing and ISO 14687 fuel quality. Learn how GC, GC-MS, IC, and FTIR workflows support safe, compliant hydrogen production and fuel-cell applications.</p><h5><strong>3. Bruker: Introduction to Photothermal AFM-IR for Infrared Spectroscopists</strong></h5><ul><li>We, 22.4.2026 17:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6109">Registration</a></li></ul><p>With photothermal atomic force microscope infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR), chemical identification at the nanoscale is achieved by measuring local IR spectra directly at the AFM tip.</p><h5><strong>4. Agilent Technologies: Pesticide Residues &amp; Fumigants Edition</strong></h5><ul><li>Th, 23.4.2026 08:30 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinar/5955">Registration</a></li></ul><p>Food Safety Webinar Series – Part 2: Pesticide Residues &amp; Fumigants Edition. Explore LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS workflows, QuEChERS extraction, and regulatory reporting under Codex and EU frameworks.</p><h5><strong>5. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Chromeleon Admin Console III: Data management and automation</strong></h5><ul><li>Th, 23.4.2026 11:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinar/6126">Registration</a></li></ul><p>In this practical session, we’ll dive into more Administration Console capabilities that help you manage and standardize your setup at scale.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Webinars LabRulezGCMS Week 17/2026

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Organomation, founded in 1959, designs and manufactures high-quality nitrogen evaporators and extraction systems. Known for innovation and durability, their lab instruments are used globally for efficient sample preparation with strong customer support.

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<div pardot-region="webinar-information" pardot-region-type="pardot" id="description" data-id="30577" data-hml-enabled="1"><p><strong>LECO will regularly invite key leaders of the NTS space from all industries to present and discuss their groundbreaking work. This series promises not only to delve deeper into the intricacies of non-targeted screening but also to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among experts and enthusiasts alike.</strong></p><p>Secure your spot now and embark on a journey of discovery in chemical analysis, with each instalments of our monthly webinar series delivering fresh perspectives and invaluable insights.</p><p><strong>Dr. Levermore will explore the composition of ambient particulate matter and its implications for occupational health, using advanced mass spectrometry techniques to uncover the sources and characteristics of airborne particles in various work environments.</strong></p><p>Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge from an expert in environmental analysis.&nbsp;</p></div><div pardot-region="speaker-information" pardot-region-type="pardot" id="speakers" data-id="30580" data-hml-enabled="1"><div><div><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Dr.Joseph Levermore (Imperial College, London)</p><p>Joining us from Imperial College London, Dr. Joseph Levermore will present his research on 'What is in Our Air? High-Resolution and Comprehensive Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Ambient Particulate Matter in Occupational Environments Across the United Kingdom.' Dr. Levermore will explore the composition of ambient particulate matter and its implications for occupational health, utilizing advanced mass spectrometry techniques to uncover the sources and characteristics of airborne particles in various work environments. He will highlight the critical importance of understanding air quality for worker safety and public health, providing valuable insights into the air we breathe.</p></div></div></div>

LECO: Environmental Non-Targeted Screening: What is in our Air? High-Resolution and Comprehensive Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Ambient Particulate Matter

Environmental Non-Targeted Screening: What is in our Air? High-Resolution and Comprehensive Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Ambient Particulate Matter

Dr. Levermore will explore the composition of ambient particulate matter and its implications for occupational health, using advanced MS techniques.

HR and GCxGC GC/MS of Ambient Particulate Matter

<div><div dir="" aria-atomic="true"><p id="isPasted"><strong>As petrochemical companies strive to enhance operational efficiency, finding an intersection between industry standards and process innovation is essential for sustainable growth. At the same time, there is pressure to lower costs in order to achieve a competitive advantage in an evolving market.</strong></p><p>In this webinar, Larry Tucker, Secretary Chairperson of Subcommittee 6 on Liquid Fuels and Lubricants, as well as Vice Chair of Subcommittee 3 on Inorganic Analysis for ASTM, will provide insights into the latest updates of ASTM D6122 and D8340. Elena Hagemann, Product Manager for Process Spectroscopy at Metrohm USA, will discuss recent advancements in process spectroscopy and their integration with Process Analytical Technology (PAT). Leave with an understanding on how to make smarter decisions to achieve a competitive advantage in the petrochemical landscape.</p><p id="isPasted"><strong fr-original-style="">Who should attend?</strong></p><ul><li>Production managers</li><li>Product development scientists</li><li>Process engineers</li><li>Operational managers</li><li>Quality control specialists&nbsp;</li><li>Plant manager</li></ul><p><strong fr-original-style="">Key learning points&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li>Learn how Spectroscopy PAT can be applied to optimize processes, ensuring better quality and efficiency.</li><li>Gain a thorough understanding of ASTM D6122 and D8340, including recent updates and their impact on petrochemical applications.</li><li>Explore strategies to stay ahead of competitors by combining spectroscopy with ASTM standards for optimized performance and compliance.</li></ul><div><div dir=""><div><blockquote><div><strong>Presenter:</strong> Larry Tucker (Director of Norms and Standards, Metrohm USA)</div></blockquote></div></div></div><div><blockquote><p align="LEFT">Larry Tucker is the Director of Norms and Standards at Metrohm USA. In his 40-year career, Larry has held positions in sales, marketing and business development, as well as management. In his current role, Larry works with industry partners to improve and develop new test methods in the petroleum, environmental, pharmaceutical and food markets. He actively participates in ASTM Committee D02 Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels and Lubricants where he serves as Secretary. He's also chairperson of subcommittee 6 Liquid Fuels and Lubricants. He has led and participated in the development and improvement of numerous ASTM test methods and standards. Larry received his B.S in Chemistry from the University of West FL and has over 35 years of industry experience in developing analytical test methods.</p></blockquote><div><div dir=""><div><blockquote><div><strong>Presenter: </strong>Elena Hagemann (Process Spectroscopy Product Manager, Metrohm USA)</div></blockquote></div></div></div><div><blockquote><p>Elena Hagemann is the Product Manager for Process Spectroscopy at Metrohm USA in Riverview, Florida. She earned her Master degree in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry at the Applied University of Aalen, Germany, where she completed her studies with her Master thesis focused on Karl Fischer Titration, NIR Spectroscopy and Multivariate Data Analysis. Elena joined the Metrohm Group in August 2013 and started with Metrohm USA in January of 2018, focusing on Raman and NIR Spectroscopy. She performs internal as well as customer training.</p></blockquote></div></div></div></div>

Metrohm: Leveraging ASTM D6122 & D8340 for a Competitive Edge in Petrochemicals

Leveraging ASTM D6122 & D8340 for a Competitive Edge in Petrochemicals

We will discuss recent advancements in process spectroscopy and their integration with Process Analytical Technology (PAT).

ASTM D6122 & D8340 for a Competitive Edge in Petrochemicals

<p><strong>Food testing regulatory methods around the world require separation of fatty acid and its isomers when determining fatty acid composition by GC/FID. This is, perhaps, one of the oldest and most popular gas chromatography analyses.</strong></p><p>While many other GC methods have adopted new trends such as shorter, high-efficiency GC columns, or moved to more selective detectors, such as mass spectrometers, the GC/FID method for analysis of free fatty acids or cis-trans fatty acids isomers has seen little change in the last few decades. This is in part because the set of analytes that needs to be resolved is challenging.</p><p>In this webinar, we will discuss innovative technologies in GC column chemistries that can be applied for fast and accurate analysis of fatty acids and fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs).</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Gustavo Serrano-Izaguirre (Global Product Manager - GC Columns, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)</p><p>Gustavo Serrano is the GC Columns Product Manager at Agilent Technologies in Wilmington, Delaware, USA. Gustavo has a broad background in GC technologies, including experience as an R&amp;D scientist and Product Manager at Sigma-Aldrich/Supelco, where he worked on the development and commercialization of novel GC stationary phases. He has also published extensively in the fields of portable micro GC systems, GC columns and micro thermal modulators for GC×GC applications. Gustavo holds a PhD in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from the University of Indiana – Bloomington.</p></blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Becoming a Better Chromatographer - Educational Webinar Series

An Overview of GC Column Selection for Traditional and New Methods for the Analysis of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs)

We will discuss innovative technologies in GC column chemistries that can be applied for fast and accurate analysis of fatty acids and FAMEs.

GC Column Selection for the Analysis of FAMEs

<p><strong>Join our upcoming panel discussion to hear from industry experts as they discuss the new regulations around PFAS, along with the challenges and approaches to managing the issues.</strong></p><p>In the coming years, the implementation of food safety testing regulations will expand globally. The prevalence of PFAS across the supply chain, concerns around health impacts, dietary risk exposure and supply chain assurance are all components of these soon-to-be implemented requirements.</p><p>Currently, the EU and China regulate a limited regulatory framework encompassing a small list of PFAS compounds in food, ingredients, beverages and feed. However, the EU has proposed an expanded list in Commission with approximately 29 compounds proposed and further expansion expected over the coming years is all part of the current discussion. The REACH updates in 2025 are expected to impact packaging and process control, while in the United States, AOAC (AOAC SMPR 2023.003) has ratified a proposed method to test residues of up to 40 PFAS chemicals incurred in food and feed.</p><p>These regulations could have an impact on production and supply in the food value chain and drive a need for more testing and mapping of PFAS in foodstuffs.</p><p>With the potential of new PFAS method regulations, come new testing challenges. Although AOAC haven’t fully ratified the PFAS method, it has been approved as a standard method performance requirement, it still brings the potential addition of new compounds to the testing regimen which in turn brings analytical challenges and the approach to this analysis is as critical as the choice of supplier to assure consumers that the food they consume is as safe and risk-free as they expect.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Key learning points:&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li>Explore the evolving food safety regulatory landscape and the impact of new technologies.</li><li>Discuss collaboration opportunities between companies and regulators to improve compliance.</li><li>Evaluate strategies for identifying and managing food safety risks within the supply chain.</li><li>Focus on the role of data analytics in promoting &nbsp;transparency and proactive risk management.</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Moderator – Professor Chris Elliot (Professor of Food Safety at Queen’s University Belfast)</p><p>Chris is Professor of Food Safety and Founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast. He served as Pro Vice Chancellor responsible for the Medical and Life Sciences Faculty between 2015 and 2018 and has published more than 450 peer-reviewed articles, many of them relating to the detection and control of agriculture, food, and environmental contaminants.</p><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Lorna De Leoz (Global Food Segment Manager, Agilent Technologies)<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Lorna De Leoz, Ph.D., has numerous years of experience in the food industry as a bench chemist, graduate researcher, and mass spectrometry specialist. She is currently Global Food Segment Manager at Agilent Technologies. Previously she was a Research Chemist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology where she led a global study on the glycosylation of monoclonal antibodies and extended the scope of the NIST mass spectral libraries to include oligosaccharides. Lorna completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of California, Davis where her research focused on understanding the role of milk oligosaccharides in infant gut flora.</p><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Erin S. Baker, Ph.D. (Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p>To date, she has published over 190 peer-reviewed papers utilizing different analytical chemistry techniques to study both environmental and biological systems. She is currently serving as the Vice President of Education for the International Lipidomics Society, a mentor for Females in Mass Spectrometry, and an Associate Editor for the <i>Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry</i>. She has received seven US patents, two R&amp;D 100 Awards, been named to the 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024 Analytical Scientist Top 100 Power Lists, and was a recipient of the 2016 ACS Rising Star Award for Top Midcareer Women Chemists, 2022 ASMS Biemann Medal, and 2022 IMSF Curt Brunnée Award. Currently, her research group utilizes advanced separations and novel software capabilities to examine how chemical exposure affects human health.</p></blockquote>

New food magazine: PFAS: Navigating regulations, challenges, risk management and testing in the food supply chain

PFAS: Navigating regulations, challenges, risk management and testing in the food supply chain

A panel discussion with industry experts as they discuss the new regulations around PFAS, along with the challenges and approaches to managing the issues.

 PFAS: Regulations, challenges, testing in the food

<p><strong>The Analytical Scientist is proud to announce a new digital event featuring Power List champions that will explore current trends and challenges facing analytical science.</strong></p><p>From bringing about a new era of precision medicine, to helping to detect, monitor, and even remove emerging contaminants such as PFAS from our environment, to the ongoing resolution revolution opening doors across a plethora of fields, it is certainly an exciting time to be an analytical scientist. But what roadblocks does the field face? How can we overcome them? And as we approach 2025, what does the immediate path forward look like?</p><p>Join us on December 12 at 4:00 PM GMT as three leaders in the field take stock of the current state of the field and cast their eyes to the future.</p><p><strong>Key discussion points include:</strong></p><ul><li>Analytical science’s biggest accomplishments over the past 5-10 years</li><li>A look back at the year’s conference themes, published papers, and new innovations launched</li><li>The biggest challenges facing the field today</li><li>How societal trends are impacting analytical science</li><li>The biggest society-wide problems that analytical science could help solve in the next 5-10 years – and how to make it happen</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Ron Heeren (Distinguished Professor, Maastricht University; Director, M4i, The Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging institute; Member of the Dutch Academy of Arts and Sciences, The Netherlands)</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Koen Sandra (CEO &amp; Co-owner, RIC Group, Kortrijk, Belgium; and Visiting Professor, Ghent University, Belgium)</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Deirdre Cabooter (Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium)</p></blockquote>

The Analytical Scientist: Power List Perspectives on The Future of Analy

Power List Perspectives on The Future of Analytical Science

The Analytical Scientist announces a new digital event featuring Power List champions that will explore current trends and challenges facing analytical science

<p><strong>Growth of domestic pharma and recent industry trends – Spotlight on Revised Schedule M</strong></p><p>Raw material identification (RMID) is a regulatory-enforced step in drug manufacturing for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical organizations. With the new updates made to Schedule-M, laboratories will see an increase in ID testing performed in manufacturing sites across India.</p><p><strong>While a critical step in ensuring quality and safety, conventional approaches create unnecessary waste, including:</strong></p><ul><li>Misallocation of resources – conventional approaches cause logistical bottlenecks and inundate highly trained scientists with tedious work- delaying the release to production.</li><li>Environmental waste – physical sampling of raw materials causes unnecessary environmental waste, creating challenges in reaching sustainability goals.</li><li>Economic waste – conventional approaches require resource-intensive processes to move raw materials from receipt to production.</li></ul><p>Taking a new approach to Raw Material ID with Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) provides zero-waste workflows from an economic and environmental perspective. Handheld SORS enables non-invasive verification through opaque and transparent containers. This approach eliminates waste from conventional sampling and boosts sustainability in drug manufacturing. This webinar will review how Agilent helps individuals reach their efficiency, quality, and sustainability goals simultaneously.</p><p><strong>What you will learn:</strong></p><ul><li>Learn how the Vaya SORS technology and usability enable rapid RMID by basic operators in the warehouse for the fastest release to production.</li><li>Explore how the Vaya Raman achieves zero-waste workflows in RMID, helping reach sustainability goals without compromising data quality or efficiency.</li><li>Understand the holistic and long-term benefits of choosing true through-barrier verification for one’s RMID.</li></ul><p><strong>Who should attend:</strong></p><ul><li>QC lab managers, analysts, and scientists</li><li>PAT Scientists</li><li>Manufacturing managers and warehouse managers</li><li>Process development managers</li><li>VP of quality and/or operations</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Frederic Prulliere (Product Manager Raman ID, Agilent Technologies)</p><p>Frederic Prulliere, is the Product Manager for the Raman-ID product line at Agilent Technologies. Frederic has been working in the Analytical Instrumentation Industry for over 10 years focusing on Raman, NIR and FTIR mobile solutions.Based in the US, Frederic now leads the product development of Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy based solutions, in particular for the verification of raw materials at reception.</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Dr. Kuldeep Sharma (Sales Development Manager - Pharma, Agilent Technologies)</p><p>Kuldeep Sharma has over 19 years of experience in area/s of Bioanalytical research, Drug metabolism &amp; pharmacokinetics and Pharma regulatory compliance. He has accomplished PhD in Biotechnology. His professional journey covers over 12 years in Analytical research (associated with R&amp;D’s of Zydus Cadila, Lambda, Pliva and Jubilant Biosys) and last 7 years in analytical instruments sales, marketing &amp; business development. With over 21 research articles published in international Journals, He presents convention of continues learning.</p></blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Raw Material Identification in Pharmaceutical Application

Raw Material Identification in Pharmaceutical Application

Taking a new approach to Raw Material ID with SORS provides zero-waste workflows from an economic and environmental perspective

<p><strong>By attending this webinar, you will learn:</strong></p><ul><li>The impact of GC column performance on MS sensitivity and data quality.</li><li>How to optimize your workflow with GC columns that complement advanced MS technologies.</li><li>Best practices for achieving reproducible and reliable results in trace-level analyses.</li><li>The role of novel ion sources in maximizing the potential of GCMS systems.</li></ul><p><strong>Event Overview</strong></p><p>The evolution of MS continues to push the limits of detection in GC. As source technologies advance, column technology must advance as well. For example, increased detection of analytes also results in increased detection of background, such as column bleed. Therefore, GC column technology that lowers bleed can enhance your sensitivity and data accuracy. In this webinar, we’ll examine how column attributes like bleed, thermal stability, and inertness can translate into practical data quality improvements. When used in conjunction with a novel ion source, we’ll illustrate achievable data parameters like sensitivity limits at trace levels, retention time consistencies, and data accuracy for active analytes when combining both column and source technologies.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What will be covered:</strong></p><ul><li>The interplay between GC columns and MS technologies: How advancements in column chemistry support modern MS systems.</li><li>Key attributes of GC columns that drive data quality: bleed reduction, thermal stability, and inertness.</li><li>How reduced bleed improves sensitivity and data accuracy.</li><li>Achievable data outcomes with combined column and novel ion source technologies, including:<ul><li>Sensitivity limits for trace-level analytes</li><li>Retention time consistency across runs</li><li>Enhanced accuracy for active analytes</li></ul></li><li>Applications highlighting the benefits of these new technologies.</li></ul><p><strong>Who should attend:</strong></p><ul><li>Analytical chemists and lab managers working on GCMS</li><li>Researchers and scientists conducting trace-level analyses in industries such as pharmaceuticals, environmental testing, food safety, and petrochemicals</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Anshu Kumari Singh (<i>Technical Support Manager - India, Columns and Supplies Division, Agilent)</i></p><p><i>Dr. Anshu Kumari Singh is the Technical Support Manager for India in the Chemistries and Supplies Division. She has more than 20 years of experience in this industry. She leads a team of highly qualified Individuals responsible for providing technical support to customers. She provides support to customers on queries related to applications, products, and troubleshooting for GC and LC columns and supplies. She also conducts workshops, training, and seminars for the customers helping them to understand the chemistry behind GC and HPLC columns and sample preparation products. Dr. Anshu holds a Doctorate degree from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, and is based out of Delhi.</i></p></blockquote>

Separation Science: Get the Most Out of Your MS: Novel Column Chemistry Raises the Bar on Sensitivity and Data Accuracy

Get the Most Out of Your MS: Novel Column Chemistry Raises the Bar on Sensitivity and Data Accuracy

We’ll examine how column attributes like bleed, thermal stability, and inertness can translate into practical data quality improvements

Novel Column Chemistry Raises Sensitivity and Data Accuracy

<p><strong>By attending this webinar, you will learn:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Options for completing instrument performance checks in SW-846 gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-based analytical methods, and</strong></li><li><strong>A streamlined process for completing tune checks that demonstrate electron impact mass spectrometer settings are optimized and the system is ready for analysis.</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Event Overview</strong></p><p>Attendees will learn about the intent of tune evaluation criteria in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analytical methods to align with modern performance standards. They will gain an understanding about how these criteria have changed over time, and they will learn how to apply Agilent’s proposed acceptance criteria for ion abundances and ion ratios for perfluorotributylamine, a reference compound that is commonly used to optimize mass spectrometer settings in electron impact ionization mode.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Troy Strock (Chemist, US Environmental Protection Agency)</p><p>Troy Strock works in EPA’s Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery and manages the SW-846 methods program. Troy has worked at EPA for the past 20 years, and he has also worked in EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation as part of the Contract Laboratory Program and in the EPA Region 5 Laboratory as an organic analytical chemist.</p></blockquote>

Separation Science: Implementing Manufacturer’s GC/MS Tune Verification Acceptance Criteria for SW-846 Methods 8260 and 8270

Implementing Manufacturer’s GC/MS Tune Verification Acceptance Criteria for SW-846 Methods 8260 and 8270

Attendees will learn about the intent of tune evaluation criteria in GC/MS analytical methods to align with modern performance standards.

GC/MS Tune Verification for SW-846 Methods 8260 and 8270

<p><strong>Learn how the Agilent 4300 can deliver an actionable result for the level of surface contamination in less than 30 seconds.</strong></p><p>Efficient adhesive bonding of surfaces requires a high level of cleanliness of the surfaces. The 4300 handheld FTIR fitted with a grazing angle, 45 reflectance or diffuse sample interface enables identification and quantification of surface cleanliness in the field. After the surface has been cleaned, the analyzer can be used to detect the presence of contaminants.</p><p>Even very low levels of contamination can severely decrease the ultimate bond strength, learn how the 4300 can be used to generate an actionable result for surface contamination in less than 30 seconds.</p><p><strong>Who should attend:</strong></p><ul><li>Material scientists, coating manufacturers, manufacturers who use coatings within their manufacturing process. Any manufacturing company may be interested in surface contamination.</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Donald Inglis (Product Specialist EMEAI for FTIR, Agilent Technologies)</p><p>Donald has worked in analytical instrumentation for over 30 years starting his career as a field service engineer in chromatography and mass spectroscopy before moving into commercial sales. Becoming a product specialist in portable, handheld FTIR and Raman systems over a decade ago at Agilent Technologies.</p></blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Agilent 4300 Handheld Webinar Series

Surface Contamination Measurement by Handheld FTIR

Learn how the Agilent 4300 can deliver an actionable result for the level of surface contamination in less than 30 seconds.

Agilent 4300 Handheld FTIR-Surface Contamination Measurement

<p><strong>As analytical workloads have increased, labs analyzing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in soils and water by purge and trap with a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (P&amp;T and GC/MS) according to EPA Method 8260 are facing challenges in maintaining efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Autosampler reliability, moisture management, carryover, contamination, and linearity over a dynamic range combined with high cost of helium and supply chain, are a few of the causes affecting labs’ operational efficiency.</strong></p><p>Discover how the Teledyne Tekmar Atomx XYZ P&amp;T System and the PerkinElmer GCMS 2400 System can help labs performing VOC analysis, according to EPA 8260, with helium gas savings and with efficient sample prep including improved water management, reduced peak interference, increased column lifespan, and reduced carryover and contamination from sample to sample. With the intuitive PerkinElmer SimplicityChrom CDS Software, fast data processing and review enable even more productivity, with any expertise level lab staff.</p><p>Join our 30-minute presentation, where you will discover strategies to conquer the typical analytical challenges posed by P&amp;T with GC/MS while optimizing results and maximizing uptime. The latest technologies compliant with EPA 8260 will be presented, ensuring you stay at the forefront of environmental analysis.</p>

PerkinElmer: When Productivity Meets Challenging Matrices: Tips and Tricks for GC/MS and Purge and Trap for EPA 8260 Compliance

When Productivity Meets Challenging Matrices: Tips and Tricks for GC/MS and Purge and Trap for EPA 8260 Compliance

Discover strategies to conquer the typical analytical challenges posed by P&T with GC/MS while optimizing results and maximizing uptime.

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