Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) is a powerful multi-element technique for the detection and quantification of most elements. It delivers high sensitivity, a wide dynamic range and strong tolerance for complex matrices, making it ideal for pharmaceutical and food testing.
The SVDV (Simultaneous Dual View) configuration enhances capabilities by combining axial and radial plasma views, allowing simultaneous analysis of low-concentration trace elements and high-concentration major components with excellent precision, good stability, low matrix effects, and minimal spectral interference. SVDV-ICP-OES is a technique used for the detection of elements at trace (parts of million) levels in numerous sample types, which provides a highly reliable technique due to good stability, limited spectral interferences and low matrix effects.
ICP-OES supports regulatory-driven testing for elemental impurities, trace metals and major minerals. It enables simultaneous multi-element analysis, improving sample throughput while maintaining high accuracy and reliability. The technique is compatible with complex sample matrices and offers a broad concentration range from parts-per-billion to percentage levels, supporting efficient quality control, R&D and compliance testing.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) is a sensitive and selective technique designed for the quantitative determination of metallic elements within a sample. By measuring light absorption at element-specific wavelengths, AAS delivers quantitative accurate and reproducible results across a wide range of sample types. It is a proven, industry standard approach for elemental analysis in pharmaceutical and life science applications, including complex and organic solvent matrices.
AAS supports regulatory driven testing for Assays and elemental impurities in line with regulatory and pharmacopeial requirements. The technique offers high sensitivity combined with strong elemental selectivity to ensure reliable results covering a range from % to ppb. Its flexibility enables efficient testing of raw materials and finished products while rapid, consecutive analysis supports streamlined QC and R&D workflows in regulated environments.
RSSL offers a comprehensive suite of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) techniques to support routine and trace elemental analysis across Food, Pharmaceutical and Life Science applications.
Using Flame AAS for efficient ppm-level testing, Graphite Furnace AAS for enhanced ppb-level sensitivity in complex matrices, Hydride Generation AAS for high-performance analysis of elements such as arsenic and selenium, and Cold Vapour AAS for ultra-trace mercury determination, our capabilities deliver accurate, selective and regulatory-ready results across a wide range of sample types.
CHNOS elemental analysis is a core analytical technique used to accurately determine the percentage composition of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur in a wide range of materials. Using dedicated CHNS/O analysers, this technique provides precise, quantitative data to support chemical characterisation, quality control and regulatory compliance across pharmaceutical, food and materials science applications.
CHNOS analysis supports pharmacopeial testing, identity confirmation and purity assessment of organic compounds and raw materials, APIs and excipients. The technique delivers reliable, reproducible weight percentage data from very small sample sizes, enabling batch consistency checks and empirical formula verification. Its robustness, cost-effectiveness and suitability for both organic and inorganic materials make CHNOS analysis a trusted tool within regulated environments and manufacturing support.
CHNOS analysis is performed using high-performance CHNS/O analysers based on flash combustion and gas detection. Samples are rapidly combusted at temperatures exceeding 1000°C in an oxygen-rich environment, converting elements into simple gases including CO₂, H₂O, N₂ and SO₂. These gases are separated using gas chromatography and quantified by thermal conductivity detection. Oxygen is determined separately using pyrolysis, where oxygen-containing compounds are converted to CO and measured. This approach delivers accurate, quantitative elemental composition data across solid, liquid and viscous samples.
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a highly sensitive elemental analysis technique capable of detecting trace and ultra-trace elements across a wide concentration range.
ICP-MS offers rapid, simultaneous multi-element analysis with detection limits typically in the low parts-per-trillion (ppt) range, alongside wide dynamic range and isotopic analysis capabilities. The use of a collision/reaction cell enables effective removal of common polyatomic interferences, supporting reliable trace metal testing across a broad range of applications.
ICP-QQQ (Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS, or ICP-MS/MS) builds on standard ICP-MS by incorporating a second mass filter, delivering superior interference removal, enhanced accuracy and even lower detection limits. Together, these techniques provide powerful solutions for routine and highly challenging elemental analysis in regulated and research environments.
ICP-QQQ extends ICP-MS capabilities by using tandem mass spectrometry to precisely control ion reactions and eliminate complex interferences that single quadrupole systems cannot resolve. This results in superior data quality for difficult elements, improved matrix tolerance, and ultra-low detection limits reaching sub-ppt levels. ICP-QQQ also enables accurate resolution of challenging isobaric overlaps and advanced isotopic measurements.
TQ-ICP-MS eliminates "unexpected" reactions that occur in single quad systems by controlling the ions that enter the reaction cell (Q1), allowing for the measurement of difficult elements like Sulfur (S), Phosphorus (P), and Silicon (Si).
The pharmaceutical industry uses TQ-ICP-MS to ensure drugs are free from toxic "catalyst" metals used during manufacturing.
