Mass spectrometry

LCMS

Equipment

Private sector labs are prone to expensive and risky equipment purchases. LabSPACE Africa is working with leading industry players to supply analytical equipment. The equipment is at Midrand's facility. However, equipment can be leased out at the client's premises to aid in an specific project. This helps ensure that our partners don't have to spend their budget on instruments they use just once. After a project is completed the equipment will be checked and maintained by highly skilled personnel. Maintenance records as well as other documents will be made available.

Academic institutions currently acquire expensive equipment through grant applications which can delay their projects. LabSPACE Africa will speed up the process and give researchers the chance to assess the best option for them, before they decide to purchase or use the equipment at our facilities.

Mass spectrometry

ELISA

Frequently Asked Questions

Last year, the toxic dairy products caused at least six deaths and nearly 300,000.

These are your questions and answers about the scandal

WHAT IS MELAMINE?

It is a white powder that is used in plastic-making. In the 1830s, a German scientist was the first to synthesize it.

What is it used for?

Melamine resin is the most commonly used form of formaldehyde. It is a mixture of formaldehyde and melamine that is used to make formica, floor tiles and whiteboards, as well as kitchenware.

 

WHY ADD MELAMINE to MILK POWDER

Melamine is a good source of nitrogen and it's relatively inexpensive. The milk's protein content will appear higher if it is added to milk that has been diluted or not as well. Standard quality tests measure nitrogen content to determine protein levels.

Who WAS AFFECTED DURING THE TOXIC MILK DRUG ACCIDENT?

China: At least six infants were killed and 300,000 more were admitted to hospital after they drank the contaminated milk.

-- Children under 2 years of age were responsible for more than 80 percent. Babies that rely solely on milk are most at risk.

Who ADDED THE MELAMINE ABOUT THE MILK?

Initial investigations revealed that the principal culprits were unscrupulous middlemen who worked at "milk stations", which sold milk from farms to dairy businesses.

 

WHERE CAN I BUY TAINTED MILK IN OTHER COUNTRIES?

-- More than 20 countries and regions, mostly African and Asian -- Bangladesh, Bhutan and Britain, Brunei and Burundi. Canada, China. France. Gabon. Ghana. India. Japan. Malaysia. Myanmar. Singapore. South Korea. Taiwan. Tanzania. Togo. Yemen.

WHO COMPANIES WERE IMPLICATED

22 Chinese companies were identified as selling tainted milk products. Sanlu Group, China’s largest seller of infant formula, was the first to be publicly exposed for melamine contamination.

Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd, a New Zealand dairy export company, has a 43 per cent share in Sanlu. However, it has completely written off its NZ$201million ($107.1 million), investment in the Chinese firm.

 

ISO/IEC 17025 allows laboratories to prove that they are competent and produce valid results. This promotes confidence in their work, both at home and abroad.

It facilitates cooperation between laboratories and other organizations by increasing acceptance of results among countries. International trade can be improved by accepting test reports and certificates from other countries without further testing.

What you need to know regarding ISO/IEC 170525

Who is ISO/IEC 17025?

Any organization that does testing, sampling, or calibration needs to use ISO/IEC 17025. This applies to all types of laboratories, regardless of whether they are owned or operated by industry, government, or any other organization. This standard can also be used by universities, research centers, governments, regulators and inspection bodies as well as product certification bodies and other conformity assessment organizations that have the need for testing, sampling, or calibration.

What is the reason ISO/IEC 17025 has been revised?

In 2005, the last ISO/IEC 17025 version was published. Since then, technology and market conditions have changed. This new version includes technical changes, vocabulary, and advancements in IT techniques. It also includes the most recent version of ISO 9001.

ISO/IEC 17025 allows laboratories to prove that they are competent and produce valid results. This promotes confidence in their work, both at home and abroad.

It facilitates cooperation between laboratories and other organizations by increasing acceptance of results among countries. International trade can be improved by accepting test reports and certificates from other countries without further testing.

What you need to know regarding ISO/IEC 170525

Who is ISO/IEC 17025?

Any organization that does testing, sampling, or calibration needs to use ISO/IEC 17025. This applies to all types of laboratories, regardless of whether they are owned or operated by industry, government, or any other organization. This standard can also be used by universities, research centers, governments, regulators and inspection bodies as well as product certification bodies and other conformity assessment organizations that have the need for testing, sampling, or calibration.

What is the reason ISO/IEC 17025 has been revised?

In 2005, the last ISO/IEC 17025 version was published. Since then, technology and market conditions have changed. This new version includes technical changes, vocabulary, and advancements in IT techniques. It also includes the most recent version of ISO 9001.