Production of working standards and calibration standards

The production of calibration standards and mixes in analytical laboratories is time-consuming and error-prone. The laboratory staff must not only pay attention to the correct preparation of the standard, but must also ensure that the high requirements for documentation are met.

The CHRONECT Workstation MultiMix enables the fully automatic production of mixes and documents this via a substance catalog management.

Originally developed for pesticide analysis, the workstation is based on the requirements for standard preparation as regulated in SANTE document 12682/2019.

This workflow simplifies any preparation of mixes and standards in the laboratory.

Requirements of SANTE 12682/2019

The SANTE document essentially sets out four requirements for the production of calibration standards:

• Reference substances and stock solutions should be stored in a cool place, preferably in a freezer, excluding light and humidity.
• The documentation created during production should ensure full traceability of all steps.
• The standards should be permanently marked and should be remixed after heating to room temperature.
• If septa are punctured during standard production, they should be replaced as soon as possible.

Implementation of the SANTE document with the CHRONECT Workstation MultiMix

The workstation is based on the modular system of the CHRONECT Robotic Autosampler, which is optimally utilized by the CHRONOS software:

• Peltier-cooled drawer system

The aliquot of the stock solutions is stored in a Peltier-cooled drawer system, which is flushed with nitrogen to exclude moisture. By regularly closing the drawers, the standards are stored in the dark.

• Documentation by barcodes

Traceability is ensured through the use of 2D barcodes and a software package. The barcode reader was developed by Axel Semrau and is fully integrated into the system. The software creates suitable labels for the stock solutions, which are printed on solvent-resistant foil by means of a barcode printer. Before each dosage, the barcode is used to check the correctness of the stock solution.

• Mixing by Vortex-Mixer

Re-mixing after heating to room temperature is achieved by using a vortex mixer.

• Protection of the septa

To prevent the septa from being punctured, the vial is opened with a DeCapper before dosing and closed again after collection.

Advantages of automated production of working mixes

• Production independent of working hours through automation
• Less production time than with manual production
• Accuracy of the concentrations can be checked at any time through volumetric dosing and gravimetric precision
• High accuracy
• High reproducibility
• Reliability through integrated controls
• Compliance with guidelines, e.g. SANTE
• Transferable from pesticide analysis to other substance groups

MultiMix software

The supplied software uses a SQL database and supports the user by managing and maintaining all important data such as analyte name, CAS number, best before date, weight, date of manufacture. The weighing results generated during the standard creation are entered online into the database. This prevents transmission errors.

Existing data from the laboratory database can be imported from Excel. For pesticide analysis, the software includes an extensive pesticide database, eliminating tedious input routines. The system can be expanded to include additional analytes at any time. This does not only refer to pesticides, but to all fields of application in which mixtures have to be created.

Commissioning of the system

All CHRONECT Workstations are pre-installed and tested in Axel Semrau's application laboratory. Only after passing the Factory Acceptance Test is the system delivered, installed in the customer's laboratory and checked again in a Site Acceptance Test. This ensures that the system is immediately ready for routine operation.

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Product information CHRONECT Workstation MultiMix