Derivatization describes the process of chemically altering the properties of an analyte in order to improve its chromatography, thermal stability, or identification to enhance method sensitivity. For gas chromatography mass spectrometry, or GC-MS, this typically involves silylation, alkylation, or acylation reactions.
For Metabolic Solutions in Nashua, New Hampshire, this process is done by using acetonitrile to precipitate out proteins and then using a 24 position N-EVAP nitrogen evaporator to evaporate the acetonitrile, after which they add a solvent appropriate for the analyte. Removing all remaining moisture from the samples is an important function of the evaporator, as excess moisture is the most common cause for failure in the testing. Metabolic Solutions specializes in measuring stable isotopes such as deuterium, O18, carbon, and nitrogen. They focus on rare diseases, specifically urea cycle disorders. Some of the testing they do for various biotech and pharmaceutical clients is to identify lactose intolerance, test the effectiveness of varying enzymes, identifying the inability to metabolize sucrose/ fructose intolerance, and measuring energy expenditure.
Firstly, they test a control sample in order to get a baseline. After giving the subject isotopes, they test the sample from their client. Two forms of GC-MS are used – one standard, and one that incinerates samples at one thousand degrees in order to measure CO2 by looking at the ratios of carbon isotopes.
Metabolic Solutions Inc. has been using Organomation’s N-EVAP product line for over twenty years! Starting with a single 24 position N-EVAP, they purchased a second acid resistant unit for their occasional work in acid hydrolysis, as well as a 12 position N-EVAP concentrator, in order to maximize their laboratory’s throughput. Between these machines, the company is able to reliably concentrate down between 20,000-30,000 samples yearly, or about 100 samples daily.
Company President David Wagner describes the N-EVAP as the “best out there” -- high praise from someone who has been in the industry for over thirty years.
If you are interested in learning more about increasing your laboratory’s throughput, please reach out to one of our sales associates during business hours via the live chat on our website or by calling 978-838-7300. We look forward to helping you find the best sample preparation equipment for your needs.