Advances in automated performance verification for UV/VIS spectrophotometers

Supported by:

17 October 2018

Regulated environments require performance verification (qualification) of UV/VIS spectrophotometers on a regular basis. Instrument performance is the main factor directly affecting the accuracy and repeatability of measurements. Hence, it is important that this is regularly monitored and that documentary evidence is provided. Optical performance verification is conducted to the widely accepted guidelines described in the US and EU Pharmacopeias. The recommended tests include: the check of photometric accuracy and repeatability, wavelength accuracy and repeatability, instrument resolution as well as stray light measurement.

As the procedure for comprehensive performance verification is intricate and time consuming, there are great benefits of integrating it into the analytical workflow and having it automatically executed.

In the first section of this webinar, the positive impact of automation on workflow efficiency, and security in optical performance verification, of UV/VIS spectrophotometers with certified liquid reference materials will be assessed against manual execution. Furthermore it will be shown that automatic optical performance verification, which is the major part of the qualification of UV/VIS spectrophotometer, can comply to data integrity requirements.

Stray light, or stray radiant energy, is a common confounding factor in spectrophotometric measurements. It is defined as light from a source other than that of the instrument’s, and significantly affects linearity, especially at higher analyte concentration or absorbance respectively.

In the second section of this webinar, the impact of stray light on result integrity is presented, and methods for measuring stray light according to the current and previous versions of the USP are presented and assessed.

The third and final section of the webinar discusses the importance of trained users who use a qualified UV/VIS spectrophotometer in an analytical laboratory. Correctly trained, experienced users make fewer errors and avoid expensive follow up costs. Application-relevant, practical tips and hints will be presented, which help to avoid measurement errors in routine use.

Learning outcomes of this webinar:

• Benefits of automated performance verification
• Positive aspects of usage of certified liquid reference materials
• Data integrity compliance in optical instrument qualification
• The impact of stray light on measurement performance and methods to determine it accurately
• How to avoid measurement errors in routine use of a spectrophotometer

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Hans-Joachim Muhr, Head of Strategic Product Group UV/VIS, Mettler-Toledo

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Exec. MBA, 15 years experience in project innovation management, global sales and marketing for titration automation products, six years executive management responsibility in analytical instrument businesses (UV/VIS, Thermal Values).