ZeptoMetrix

Challenges for Inorganic Testing of Cannabis with Robert Thomas

In this podcast, Spex is joined by Robert Thomas to discuss the cannabis testing industry and the challenges for inorganic testing of cannabis. Robert (Rob) Thomas is the principal of Scientific Solutions, an educational consulting comp...

Foodborne Illness

Millions of people around the world are stricken with food or waterborne illnesses each year. Thousands of people will succumb to their illnesses. Food safety and testing are a critical part of analytical research to ensure that chemicals, bact...

Discussing Dilutions

Creating calibration curves or calculating dilutions are a common everyday occurrence in an analytical laboratory. However, these simple procedures can be full of potential error and contamination which can ultimately effect the data and skew r...

Introducing the Genomax and DNAmax Kits

In this podcast, we introduce and share insight on our newest set of products, the Genomax and DNAmax kits. The Genomax is an automated high-throughput plant and animal tissue homogenizer and cell lyser designed for rap...

Mycotoxins in the Laboratory

Mold and Fungi ubiquitous in the world and a persistent and dangerous contaminant for many agricultural products. Their size and spore mobility causes fungi to spread through agricultural products quickly when the environmental conditions are f...

Wet Chemistry

Analytical chemistry consists of classical methods (i.e. wet chemical methods) and instrumental methods (i.e. spectrometry, chromatography etc.). Wet chemistry or classical analysis are forms of analytical chemistry that use proven historical (...

Chromatography

Chromatography is a critical tool that analytical scientists use every day, often without much consideration for how all the parts work together. In this podcast, we will take a deeper look into the history, operation and functionality of liqui...

Discussing Water Quality

Water is one of the most important chemicals and commodities in the world. Billions of people worldwide do not have access to clean drinking water traveling long distances to use substandard polluted water sources. Even in the United States, th...

Lose the Solvent Headache with VapLock Closed Systems

VapLock is a safety solution for scientists, chemical hygienists, and researchers worldwide, designed to ensure proper delivery and waste containment of industrial chemicals and solvents. Vaplock's mission is to create a safer, healthier and cl...

Is That My Sample? Understanding the Effects of Growing Conditions on Targeted Cannabis Compounds and Representative Sampling

Accuracy in analytical testing starts at the very beginning with sampling and sample preparation prior to testing. If sample collection processes are flawed, then the final answers will be biased. The basis of accuracy of sampling and testing o...

Soil and Contamination

The science and art of gardening and agriculture is part passion, part luck and a lot of chemistry.In this podcast, will take a look at the science of soil and how chemistry can affect the growth and health of plants. We will also take ...

Speciation

Chemical and elemental species are important in many fields of science and health. Human health and nutrition can be influenced by the presence or absence of certain chemical species such as iron, selenium, arsenic, and mercury. Some chemical s...

Terpenes and Flavonoids

Terpenes are the common term for a large group of compounds that contribute to flavor and smell of botanical products. Flavonoids are botanical compounds, similar to terpenes, responsible for different processes for defense and metabolic proces...

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

A normal part of laboratory operations is the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Most laboratory personnel are familiar with common PPE such as gloves, safety glasses and lab coats. Now in the time of the pandemic laboratories are reas...

Back to the Bench

As businesses begin to return to operation, laboratories which may have been forced to shut down during the pandemic, are now being asked to reopen with a new level of concern for not only chemical contamination but viral contamination. During ...

Limiting Laboratory Exposure: A Chemist's Guide to the COVID-19 Outbreak

Many chemists and scientists are considered essential personnel during the COVID-19 outbreak. While many chemists understand the nature of clean lab techniques, they might not be aware of how these techniques will protect them from a biological...

Trace Metals Analysis in Commercial Pet Foods

Ten years ago, SPEX CertiPrep published a well-received study about the toxic elements in Pet Food. We found that some dog and cat foods were full of heavy metals. Since that study was done, the US government enacted the Food Safety Modernizati...

Chemistry of Color

The chemistry of color is actually a representation of the physical properties of chemicals that come through absorption of energy. The colors we see are a function of the light and energy absorbed and reflected by the materials and substances ...

Heavy Metals in Spices, Hemp and Nutraceuticals

Heavy metal exposure in the environment has led to toxic elements transitioning into our food and water supplies increasing human exposure. Agricultural products can be highly prone to heavy metal deposition and accumulation through repeated ex...

Heavy Metals in Food and Beverages

On a daily basis, the average person around the world is subjected to doses of heavy metals from a variety of sources. One of the most insidious sources of routes of exposure is through the food supply. The World Health Organization contends th...

Chemistry of Hot Sauce

The rise of popularity of spicy products and hot sauce has skyrocketed over the last decade. Hot sauces have gone from a few well known brands to a cottage boutique market and an international obsession.In this podcast, we will look at ...

Chemistry of Fragrance and Flavor

Human beings perceive the world through their five senses. Two of the most important senses are taste and smell, both of which are based on chemical processes and reactions.In this podcast, we will take a look at the chemistry of ...

Heavy Metal Exposure in the Environment Part 2

On a daily basis, the average person around the world is subjected to doses of heavy metals from a variety of sources. One of the most insidious sources of routes of exposure is through the food and water supply. The World Health Organization c...

Heavy Metal Exposure in the Environment Part 1