In 2024, LCGC and Spectroscopy will release a joint content series titled, "Advancing Agriculture For Future Generations." Here is a preview of the upcoming series.
Advancing Agriculture For Future Generations will spotlight the current chromatographic and spectroscopic research being conducted in the field of agriculture: © MJH Life Sciences Creative Department
Agriculture has always been essential in helping to build the foundation of human civilization. The practice of agriculture encompasses the cultivation of crops and the rearing of animals for food and other essential resources. It has played a central role in shaping societies, economies, and the environment for thousands of years. Agriculture has been not only a means of sustenance, but it is also a vital driver of economic growth and development. It involves various practices, such as planting, harvesting, irrigation, and animal husbandry, and has evolved significantly over time with advances in technology, science, and globalization.
Modern agriculture is characterized by the use of advanced machinery, genetically modified crops, and precision farming techniques to increase crop yields and livestock production. However, it also faces numerous challenges, including the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, the preservation of biodiversity, and ensuring food security for a growing global population. There is a growing emphasis on organic farming, agroforestry, and other sustainable practices that aim to minimize the environmental impact of agriculture while meeting the nutritional needs of society. Climate change also poses a significant threat to agriculture, with shifting weather patterns, extreme events, and changing temperatures affecting crop productivity and requiring adaptation strategies.
Chromatography is playing an increasingly vital role in the agriculture industry. It is employed for various purposes, ranging from quality control and safety assessment to research and development of agricultural products. One prominent application is in pesticide residue analysis, where chromatography helps detect and quantify trace amounts of pesticides in crops. This is crucial for ensuring food safety and compliance with regulatory standards, as excessive pesticide residues can have adverse health effects. Chromatography is used to characterize and authenticate agricultural products, such as identifying the presence of specific compounds in fruits, vegetables, and herbs, which can be valuable for verifying product authenticity and quality. Additionally, chromatography aids in the development of novel fertilizers and pesticides, allowing researchers to optimize formulations and minimize environmental impact.
This joint content series, titled, “Advancing Agriculture for Future Generations,” will spotlight how chromatography and spectroscopy is contributing to the advancement of agriculture, and how innovation in analytical science is propelling the agriculture industry to new heights in the modern era. We will look at the current and ongoing research being conducted in the field, focusing on the chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques that are propelling the agriculture industry forward and helping to solve the current challenges that farmers face.
We are looking forward to sharing this content series with you soon! Be on the lookout for a release date in early 2024!
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence and has been edited to ensure accuracy and clarity. You can read more about our policy for using AI here.
The Next Frontier for Mass Spectrometry: Maximizing Ion Utilization
January 20th 2025In this podcast, Daniel DeBord, CTO of MOBILion Systems, describes a new high resolution mass spectrometry approach that promises to increase speed and sensitivity in omics applications. MOBILion recently introduced the PAMAF mode of operation, which stands for parallel accumulation with mobility aligned fragmentation. It substantially increases the fraction of ions used for mass spectrometry analysis by replacing the functionality of the quadrupole with high resolution ion mobility. Listen to learn more about this exciting new development.
The Complexity of Oligonucleotide Separations
January 9th 2025Peter Pellegrinelli, Applications Specialist at Advanced Materials Technology (AMT) explains the complexity of oligonucleotide separations due to the unique chemical properties of these molecules. Issues such as varying length, sequence complexity, and hydrophilic-hydrophobic characteristics make efficient separations difficult. Separation scientists are addressing these challenges by modifying mobile phase compositions, using varying ion-pairing reagents, and exploring alternative separation modes like HILIC and ion-exchange chromatography. Due to these complexities, AMT has introduced the HALO® OLIGO column, which offers high-resolution, fast separations through its innovative Fused-Core® technology and high pH stability. Alongside explaining the new column, Peter looks to the future of these separations and what is next to come.
Evaluating Dissolved Organic Matter with GPC and Spectroscopy
February 4th 2025Gel permeation chromatography, three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy, and UV-visible spectroscopy was utilized to assess road runoff passed through a filter filled with sludge from drinking water treatment plants to evaluate its capacity for removing dissolved organic matter (DOM).