Chromatography Quiz #20 Results
We would like to congratulate our grand prize winners of our last newsletter’s word problem quiz: Helene Lachance from Shur-Gain Nutreco, Narjes Ghafoori from LA County Environmental Toxicology Lab, and Tom Schneider from Suffolk County Water Authority!
They have each won and will shortly be receiving: Whimsical Turkey Jumbo Caramel Apple Gift Sets from Mrs. Prindables Gourmet Caramel Apples!
From Mrs. Prindables website, “Two fine apples come topped with a fair pair of fowl… sure to be gobbled up with delight. One Triple Chocolate Jumbo apple and one Milk Chocolate Walnut Pecan Jumbo apple topped with our whimsical new turkey ornaments. Make them the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving celebration. Sure to brighten your Fall gathering! Each apple weighs Approx. 1.25-1.5 lbs. Serves 8-10.
Additionally, we will be sending our winners a $100 gift card for Williams-Sonoma to aid in their Thanksgiving Day preparations!
We would like to thank all of you for your submissions!
Thank you!
Pickering Labs
The correct answers to the Michael Pickering Scavenger Hunt:
Question One:
Through what organization did Michael first meet Laszlo Torma, our recently retired Director of Technical Relations?
Answer: AOAC
Question Two:
To whom is the famous quote “Chance favors the prepared mind” attributed?
Answer: Louis Pasteur
Question Three:
How long was Michael’s train ride from Anchorage to Fairbanks?
Answer: Eight hours
Question Four:
What phthalate caused Michael so much consternation both during school and later in a customer’s laboratory?
Answer: Di-octylphthalate
Question Five:
Michael suggests recipe using saffron – what is he cooking?
Answer: Poached white fish with saffron infused lime sauce
Chromatography Quiz #20: Amino Acids Analysis
Identify the error made when running the Amino Acids chromatogram below and win a prize! Simply email your answer as well as your full contact information to Rebecca at rlsmith@pickeringlabs.com by December 15th, 2015 in order to win. You will receive email confirmation that your submission has been received. The answer to the quiz and winner congratulations will be published in the next issue (to be anonymous, please notify Rebecca in submission).
Amino Acid Analysis – Reduced Peak Areas
Pinnacle PCX post-column instrument is being used, in a traditional HPLC setup as recommended by Pickering Laboratories. The reference chromatogram and troubleshooting chromatogram are both shown. The quiz question: what is causing the reduced peak areas problem?
Hint: Please assume the same Trione reagent is being used for both chromatograms.
Normal/reference post-column conditions for amino acid analysis:
Reagent: Trione
Reactor: 130 °C, 0.5 mL
Reagent flow rate: 0.3 mL/min
Detection: UV-Vis Detector = 570 nm for primary amino acids, = 440 nm for secondary amino acids
