The Column-09-21-2016

Biopharmaceutical purification techniques can be slow and cumbersome with poor scalability. A new device using laterally-fed membrane chromatography (LFMC) was developed to address these issues. Raja Ghosh from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, spoke to The Column about this new device and its potential applications.

What are the problem-solving skills required to succeed in analytical chemistry?

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a potent greenhouse gas in the troposphere, while in the stratosphere it contributes to ozone destruction. Global atmospheric models treat anthropogenic industrial processes as the sole source of atmospheric CCl4. However, some evidence suggests that biogenic sources may also contribute. This article describes grab-sampling with analysis by thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD–GC–MS) to assess levels of CCl4 in a Central Amazonian rainforest. We find that ambient air mixing ratios within and above the forest, while agreeing with current equatorial estimates (120 ppt), show diurnal and canopy-height variations that suggest a biogenic source of CCl4, and therefore may be important for closing the gaps in the global atmospheric CCl4 budget.

Perchlorate salts are relatively stable, soluble in water, and migrate into groundwater sources causing possible challenges for drinking water suppliers as dissolved perchlorate has been identified to impair normal thyroid function. The development of a sensitive analytical method for perchlorate determination is therefore important to protect public health. This article addresses the validation of ion chromatography with suppressed conductivity detection (IC–CD), applying isocratic elution to analyze perchlorate.

Biotage AB has announced the purchase of shares in the Danish biomolecule company Chreto Aps, representing a significant investment into the area of drug development.

What are the motivations and events that drive a successful separation scientist? This is the question that CASSS seeks to answer by documenting the lives and careers of the analytical chemists who have won their “Outstanding Achievements in Separation Science” Award.

Sciex has announced a collaboration with CW Analytical to develop fully validated standardized methods to measure pesticides and cannabinoids in cannabis and cannabis-related products.

Click the title above to open The Column September 21, 2016 Europe & Asia issue, Volume 12, Number 17, in an interactive PDF format.

Click the title above to open The Column September 21, 2016 North American issue, Volume 12, Number 17, in an interactive PDF format.