By: Dr. Maria Ofitserova

We didn’t want you to think that we only write about our Artificial Body Fluids, so we wanted to pass along an interesting study done utilizing the post-column derivatization method for Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PSTs).

Alexandrium catenella is a species of dinoflagellates that produce Paralytic Shellfish Toxins that accumulate in bivalves and some fish. As ocean waters warm in the Alaskan Arctics, Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) caused by rapid increase in population of Alexandrium catenella happens more and more frequently.  Increase in neurotoxins contamination levels of shellfish poses considerable health risk to humans and animals, even causing mass mortality events in large marine mammals.

A study recently published in Harmful Algae journal was using data on paralytic shellfish toxins found in Alexandrium catenella and in shellfish to validate models of PSTs transfer in a critical Arctic food chain and calculate walruses’ toxins exposure during Alexandrium HAB events.

The study was using post-column derivatization method to determine concentrations of toxins in different matrices. Pickering Laboratories’ Onyx PCX derivatization system is ideal for this application and we also offer reagents and HPLC eluants to help laboratories who would like to save time on preparations of the solutions and take advantage of consistent batch to batch performance of consumables manufactures by our company. Application notes MA105 and MA105.1 (https://www.pickeringlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Paralytic-Shellfish-Toxins-MA105.pdf) describe post-column analysis of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins according to official AOAC 2011.02.

The study publication is available here:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568988325001623

By: Christopher Nguyen

This month, we’re proud to celebrate Anita Gribaldo’s 25th work anniversary at Pickering Laboratories!

As our Packaging Lead, Anita has spent a quarter century ensuring every product that leaves our doors meets the highest standards. Her exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality have made her an indispensable part of our team.

Anita’s reliability, precision, and pride in her work — and in her Polish heritage — reflect the very best of Pickering Labs. We’re grateful for her dedication and the consistency she’s brought to every project over the years.

Congratulations, Anita, on this incredible milestone — and thank you for 25 years of excellence!

By: Kevin McKeown

You may have seen that our websites: www.pickeringlabs.com and www.pickeringtestsolutions.com have gotten a VERY cool addition: Bioz badges

One of the most common questions that we receive from our customer is, “Can I use your artificial body fluids for ______ (insert your sample type or method of analysis!)?”  Previously, we would draw off anecdotal evidence that we may have collected over the years or, in most cases, hesitate to make any suggestions, as our customers know their samples WAY better than we ever could.  Now, we have an easy, searchable way for anyone to explore what our artificial body fluids have been used for. 

From Bioz’s website, here’s the explanation of their service:

Bioz operates a specialized AI-powered search engine designed for life science researchers in academia and the biopharma industry. They mine, analyze and structure huge volumes of scientific literature to provide

What this means for you, and us, is that there is now a way to explore the many ways that our products have been deployed.  Some of our favorites that we have found so far: Small-scale storable paper biobatteries activated via human bodily fluid, Cerumen/Earwax as a means of diagnostic testing, Lung Fluid for the testing of inhaled microplastics and the list goes on!

We encourage you to go hunting yourself and find out about all the different studies that we have been a part of!

Quiz #45 – Amino Acids Rising Baseline

In this fast amino acids chromatogram (method abstract here), you will see a rising baseline at the time of injection. What is contributing to this baseline artifact? You will find an example of the rising baseline below along with Onyx PCX pump pressure trace.  

Submit your answers to rsmith@pickeringlabs.com by November 15, 2024.

Announcing the winners of our previous quiz, Chromatography Quiz #44 – Amino Acids Noisy Baseline

Pickering Laboratories would like to congratulate the winners for our previous newsletter’s Chromatography Quiz: Jeff Fan from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Thomas Schneider from SCWA, Narjes Ghafoori from Los Angeles County Public Health Laboratory, and Josiah Hakala from Minnesota Department of Health.

They have won, and will shortly be receiving: Best Bloody Mary Mix Gift Box

Congratulations to our quiz winners!  Thank you all for your submissions!

Chromatography Quiz #44 Solution:

In this amino acids chromatogram per European Pharmacopeia (method abstract here), you will see a noisy baseline with repetitive sinusoidal noise pattern (green and blue). What is contributing to this baseline noise?

Question: What is causing the baseline noise?

Correct answer:

In this case, the noise in the baseline was caused by the HPLC pump. The seal/needle wash bottle had dried up, causing abnormal pressure fluctuations and leading to sinusoidal spikes in the baseline.

Pinnacle Obsolescence Update

Dear Valued Customer,

Please note that the Pinnacle has not been in production since the year 2020. We will continue to maintain replacement parts and support the Pinnacle PCX until January 1, 2030.

The Onyx PCX is our sleek next generation upgrade to the Pinnacle and it delivers the same seamless operation and optimized analysis each and every time you run a sample. Replacing the Pinnacle, the Onyx PCX is the latest addition to our integrated family of post-column derivatization instruments, chemistry and support instrumentation.

The Onyx PCX is amazingly simple and intuitive, producing results you can rely on. Its reliable performance, elegant design, ease of use, and minimal maintenance make it the optimal Post-column system for research and analytical testing laboratories, as well as pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The Onyx PCX is capable of connecting to an array of HPLC units to meet your testing needs. Pickering Laboratories still offers the only instrumentation optimized for the analysis of Amino Acids, Carbamates, Glyphosate, Mycotoxins, Antibiotics and many other applications.

Pickering Laboratories commitment to quality and providing customers with technical solutions means that we maintain a robust application-specific quality system, testing every instrument and consumable exactly as our customer will be using our products.  It also means we pride ourselves in being a leader in innovation by developing, producing, and delivering safe, effective, high quality post-column instruments and consumables that meet or exceed our customer expectations, on time, every time. We achieve these objectives through our chemists’ precision and expertise as well as adopting industry best practices and operating in the spirit of continuous improvement.

To learn more about the new Onyx PCX please consider reading our exciting new brochure!

Please contact Pickering Laboratories Support at (650)694-6700, (800)654-3330, or support@pickeringlabs.com if you have any questions.

Regards,

David Mazawa

Technical Support Chemist
Pickering Laboratories, Inc.

Happy 25^th Work Anniversary to Severo!!

By Christopher Nguyen

Dedication to one’s role is exemplified by the staff member we celebrated this summer. Severo Muñoz has been with Pickering Laboratories since 1999 and he is one of the most seasoned veterans on our team. Severo is “The Guy” in Pickering’s shipping department, and he’s been responsible for our shipping and receiving for 25 strong years.

As days turned into months, and months turned into years, Severo has been the living-breathing embodiment of dedication and hard work. He is respected by his colleagues for the attitude he brings to work each day and he is a role model for many in the lab. He is a respected father, coworker and friend.

From Pickering’s long-standing history of sending specialty instruments around the globe, to IATA regulations for shipping dangerous goods, Severo is truly an expert in these fields and everything in between. He is an open book of knowledge for those who are willing to ask, and trust us when we say, he is easy to ask. Dependable and approachable, Severo is an overall great human being. Myself and the Pickering team wanted to shine a spotlight on you, Severo. You deserve it!

I would also like to mention that he drives a 400 horse power Charger to the lab! The way he maintains his vehicle is reflective of his work at Pickering – impeccable.

Thank you for your 25 years of continued service, Mr. Muñoz!

Past and Upcoming Tradeshows – Fall 2024

By: Kevin McKeown

Hot off the heels of AOAC International and the Wearable Technologies conferences, Pickering Labs is going to have a busy exhibition schedule for the next few months!  And I’m here to report that we’re absolutely enjoying being on the road and getting the chance to catch up with customers.

First, let’s recap a few recent tradeshows:

• Traveling to Baltimore, our Technical Support Manager, David Mazawa, and Senior Research Chemist, Dr. Maria Ofitserova, recently attended the AOAC International Conference. Maryland’s famous crabcakes set the scene for our introduction of conveniently packaged mobile phase and reagent consumables for the post-column derivatization HPLC method for PSP/PCOX (Paralytic Shellfish Toxins) analysis.

As warmer ocean temperatures continue to impact global fisheries, we support labs that are ramping up analytical testing to eliminate the use of the traditional Mouse Bioassay for testing Paralytic Shellfish Poisons in a variety of mussels and clams.

• David, along with President, Rebecca Smith, were first-time attendees and exhibitors at the Wearable Technologies conference: https://wearable-technologies.com/events/wt-wearable-technologies-conference-2024-usa

At this show, we focused on our Product Testing Solutions (aka Artificial Body Fluids), which are used to test various consumer products for quality and safety. We learned a great deal about the growing Wearable Technologies market and subcategories of wearables such as “Hearables”, a hot topic due to the introduction of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. It is clear that Wearables will continue to rapidly evolve and play an important role in the healthcare industry. This conference had the added advantage of being the very first show in over 40 years that was walking distance from Pickering’s HQ in Mountain View; hosted at the super cool Computer History Museum!

Next up for our world travelers:

• In early October, Sales Manager, Kevin McKeown, will be traveling to beautiful Savannah, Georgia for the Textile Discovery Summit: https://www.aatcc.org/summit/

This is always a show that we look forward to, as it gives us the opportunity to meet with both existing and new customers in the textile market.  This year’s highlights will include our new Synthetic Blood solutions (perfect for stain and penetration testing!) and tons of conversation about colorfastness.

• In late October, Kevin and Maria will be headed up to Portland, Maine for our first attendance and sponsoring of the 12^th Annual Symposium on Harmful Algae: https://neiwpcc.org/events/ushab12/ .

The primary topic here for Pickering will be our capabilities around Shellfish/PCOX testing methodology.  We have the instrumentation (and now consumables!) that enables laboratories to test rapidly and confidently for the presence of Toxins in Shellfish, with the added bonus that no mice will be harmed in the process!

If you are attending either conference, or in the area, please let us know!  We would be happy to discuss our new products with you, or just catch up on how your business has been in 2024.