Enhancing Research Reagent Quality at Lower Costs
Recent insights on producing high-quality science affordably highlight the importance of reagent quality. Discover how your lab can benefit from these findings.
Quality and Compliance
Research News
Understanding the FDA Warning on Bacteriostatic Water
The FDA has issued a warning about unregistered bacteriostatic water products. Learn what this means for research labs and how to ensure safety.
Guides
What Is a Beyond-Use Date (BUD)?
A beyond-use date (BUD) is the date or time after which a compounded preparation should not be stored or used. The compounder assigns it from the date and time of compounding. An expiration date is set by a manufacturer for an FDA-approved drug product after stability studies. Default BUDs in USP compounding chapters are shorter than most commercial expiration dates, and extending a BUD needs formulation-specific data from a stability-indicating method, usually HPLC.
Guides
Can You Use Tap Water in an Ultrasonic Diffuser?
Usually yes: many ultrasonic aroma diffusers are built for tap water. If your water is hard, the mist also spreads minerals as white dust and leaves scale in the tank. Vitruvi recommends distilled water in hard-water areas, and Young Living’s warranty covers distilled, demineralized, deionized or purified bottled water. Deionized water is a demineralized option. Always follow your own manual.
Guides
What Is ICP-MS Testing?
ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) is a test for metals and other elements. The sample is dissolved in acid, sprayed into an argon plasma that turns its atoms into ions, and a mass spectrometer sorts and counts those ions by mass. It measures elements such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury at trace levels, which is why drug, food and water standards rely on it.
Guides
How Do You Water Golf Cart Batteries?
Charge the batteries fully first, then open each vent cap and add deionized or distilled water until the level sits just below the fill well: about 1/8 inch below for Trojan, 1/4 inch for U.S. Battery. Only add water before charging if the plates are showing, and then just enough to cover them. Never add acid and never overfill.
Guides
What Is Content Uniformity Testing?
Content uniformity testing measures the amount of drug in individual dosage units, such as single capsules or tablets, to show that each one is close to the label claim. A potency assay tells you the batch average; content uniformity tells you how much one unit varies from the next. USP General Chapter <905> sets the standard procedure and acceptance criteria.
Guides
What Water Should I Use in a Garment Steamer?
Check your steamer’s manual first. Many garment steamers are built for ordinary tap water, but if your water is hard, its minerals build up as scale that clogs the steam head and causes spitting. In that case Philips recommends demineralized or distilled water, or a 50/50 mix with tap water. Deionized water is a demineralized water. Never add perfume, vinegar or starch to the tank.
Research News
What OXB’s Expansion Means for Cleanroom Manufacturing
The recent expansion of OXB’s manufacturing network signals significant changes in cleanroom manufacturing. Research labs must adapt to maintain high standards.
Quality and Compliance
Understanding Wastewater Treatment Contaminants
Recent discussions about contaminants in wastewater treatment highlight the importance of rigorous testing and documentation for lab water. Discover how your research can benefit from enhanced testing protocols.