The accuracy of a spectrophotometer affects the quality of specimen measurements. The proper functioning is determined by the precision of various parameters of its internal optical setup. If you want to guarantee the highest performance possible of your spectrophotometer, it needs to be calibrated. When calibrating a spectrophotometer, a blank solution is required to provide absorbance of the said solution as a zero reference when conducting a spectroscopic analysis. When a spectrophotometer is accurately calibrated, you can quickly determine a substance’s absorbance of light at a specific wavelength. It is essential to calibrate your spectrophotometer to maintain its baseline for future experiments. A specialist best handles spectrophotometer calibration. At Biotechnical Services Inc., we offer efficient and scientific spectrophotometer calibration in San Diego and the larger California region.
Spectrophotometers are usually tested and calibrated according to the pharmacopeia procedure. In the US, the calibration procedures are defined by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Here are the parameters to be tested and calibrated according to USP:
Here are the parameters that are tested and calibrated but not required by USP:
Photometric Accuracy Photometric accuracy refers to a spectrophotometer’s ability to precisely measure the absorbance of a specimen and return the said absorbance closely as possible to the actual value. Photometric accuracy is tested and calibrated by measuring liquid or solid filters of a particular absorbance and concentration values and comparing the measured absorbance with a reference standard value. For instance, a certain amount of potassium dichromate solution can be measured using an ultraviolet range and compared with a neutral density filter to determine if it falls within the acceptable level of the reference material. Wavelength Accuracy Wavelength accuracy assesses whether a spectrophotometer can precisely reproduce wavelengths. The wavelength accuracy-test determines the presence of misalignments or shifts in a wavelength axis. A wavelength calibration material should produce well-defined and narrow peaks. Holmium oxide solution is usually used to calibrate wavelength accuracy. The acceptable calibration standard depends on the wavelength range and the material used. Photometric Linearity Photometric linearity refers to the linearity of a function of increasing concentration of measured values such as absorbance. When performing the tests and calibration for photometric linearity, the same procedure as photometric accuracy is used except that different filters are used according to the accepted criteria when determining the linearity of three concentrations. Photometric Repeatability Photometric repeatability is the capacity or capability to return absorbance from measurements taken multiple times in a repeatable and reliable manner. When conducting photometric repeatability tests and calibration, the same reference materials as photometric accuracy are used only. In this regard, the filters are measured ten times before calculating the standard deviation of the calculated measurements to establish the extent of repeatability. Resolution Resolution refers to the resolving power and the capability of a UV spectrophotometer to resolve the structures within a given spectrum. When testing and calibrating spectrophotometer resolution, a solution of n-Hexane and Toluene is used. The absorption rate of a well-resolved peak at minimum and maximum are assessed. According to the USP testing and calibration standards, the ratio of the given minimum and maximum UV absorbance at a specific wavelength must be more than 1.3 for sufficient resolution to be determined. Our laboratory at Biotechnical Services Inc. has the latest technology for performing your spectrophotometer calibration in San Diego and the greater California region. Stray Light Stray light is not part of the test, analysis, or calibration. It is just a light that manages to reach the detector causing biases to the wavelength under study. Stray light does not originate from the specimen being measured. Typically, the stray light alters the sample results, causing a systematic error during the analysis. When testing and calibrating the stray light, a filter made of a solution of potassium chloride under a specified wavelength is used to determine the filter ratio of the solution. The spectrophotometer is calibrated when the stray light exceeds the acceptable criteria. Automated Verification The tests mentioned above and calibration can be conducted either automatically or manually. However, manual methods have a higher risk of minimizing calibration precision, are prone to imminent error, and are time-consuming. Advantages of Automated Verification
Conclusion An accurate and excellent spectrophotometer is vital for data measurement precision and compliance purposes. For accurate analysis and quality control of your processes, you should keep your spectrophotometer as accurate as possible. At Biotechnical Services Inc., we offer high integrity spectrophotometer calibration in San Diego with complete documentation and onsite installation and qualification for reliable and compliant laboratory operations. Original article posted here - https://www.biotechserv.com/expert-tips-on-how-to-calibrate-spectrophotometer/
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If you want to develop and provide optimum storage for your cell cultures properly, you must maintain the highest performance standards for your lab incubator. Decontamination, cleaning, proper usage, and calibration of an incubator keep it running efficiently. An efficient incubator maintains the required gaseous, humidity, and temperature levels. No matter the types of incubator, such as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), dual or single block, they have almost standard cleaning, operation, and calibration methods.
If your equipment is not working as it should or its calibration certificate has expired, contact us at Biotechnical Services Inc. for testing, maintenance, and incubator calibration in Los Angeles. We provide precise and accurate calibration of all types of lab incubators. The procedure of Cleaning Your Incubator Transfer Your Cell Culture to Another Incubator Before cleaning your incubator, transfer your specimen to the next incubator to avoid contamination or getting your culture compromised during the process. When your incubator is empty, you can work on it with comfort and perform confident and thorough cleaning. The next step is to shut down your incubator and cut the gas supply off. Remove The Shelves and Internal Components For proper cleaning of your incubator, take out all the removable components. Empty your water dish and wipe it with a clean cloth to avoid shedding fibers and lint. Clean The Internal Surfaces Using a mild dish detergent or a botanical cleaner, clean all your incubator’s internal parts, including the shelves, ducts, shelf supports, door gaskets, and fan. Ensure that you remove all the residues, dirt, and dust. Rinse the interior surface and wipe using a dry cloth. When you have entirely wiped every component, disinfect the interior chamber with 70% alcohol to keep your incubator clean and eliminate any lingering disinfectant. Turn The Incubator Heat On Close the incubator door and turn the heat on. Closing the door ensures that the incubator does not attract dust and other contaminants again during the process. The heating process should take a few minutes only. Turn On Automatic Decontamination The decontamination cycle is meant to get rid of any fungi or bacteria. Once the process is complete, fill the sterile water into the water reservoir. Avoid using tap water because the tiny amount of chlorine can corrode the cooper or steel parts with time and introduce more minerals and bacteria. Ultra-pure or deionized water is not recommended because it is aggressive; ions may react with copper, steel, glass, and other components in your incubator. Clean Incubator’s Exterior Clean every exterior part of your incubator to prevent dust, dirt, and other contaminants from getting into your incubator when you open the door. When cleaning the exterior part of the incubator, use a lint-free cloth with soapy water. Wipe with a soft clean cloth and clear water before drying it with a dry cloth. Ensure that you thoroughly clean the door handles and places you mostly touch. Operation of Lab Incubator Before operating your incubator, ensure that it is clean and has no residue from the previous specimen. When you have ascertained that your incubator is clean, connect its plug to the power source. Press ON both on the main switch and the control panel. You should be able to see the temperature controller, incubator motor, internal displays, and the orange lamp turning on. On the control panel, press ON on the heating switch; you will notice a green indicator lamp and dry heater. Scroll to your desired temperature on the temperature controller by pressing the decrement or the increment key. Once you have attained your required temperature, set the thermostat at about 5 degrees above the required temperature. The thermostat will cut the power off if the temperature exceeds the allowed 5 degrees before sounding an alarm. When your temperature is set, you will see a green digital on it and a red digital display of the actual temperature. On your PC or printer, set the time interval for data communication. If necessary, switch on the fluorescent light and enter the temperature monitoring record before recording the incubator log details of your cell culture samples. Ensure that your incubator is kept away from a heating device. Keep a record of temperature two times a day, i.e., early in the morning and later in the evening. At Biotechnical Services Inc., you can trust us for your equipment supply, installation, testing, and incubator calibration in Los Angeles. Lab Incubator Calibration Switch off your incubator and transfer your specimen to another incubator. Insert the thermal probes before removing the incubator cork from the validation porthole. After setting the temperature probes, switch on your incubator. Once your desired temperature is reached, start the data logger. Record the display temperatures and the data logger temperatures after about 10 or 15 minutes. You can monitor the sets of each temperature for about 2 to 3 hours. If you notice a temperature variation, adjust your incubator accordingly. Conclusion Proper cleaning, operation, and calibration of a lab incubator ensure that it runs smoothly and lasts longer. Always ensure that you frequently clean your incubator thoroughly for optimum growth of your cell cultures. Follow the standard operating procedures to ensure that your incubator is appropriately maintained. When your incubator has an error in temperature reading, contact us at Biotechnical Services Inc. for your incubator calibration in Los Angeles. Original article posted here - https://www.biotechserv.com/procedure-for-cleaning-operation-and-calibration-of-incubator/ |
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