Agriculture Monitoring Applications

Mycotoxins are a diverse group comprised of hundreds of secondary metabolic products of various fungal species. Several show marked toxicity in humans. Contamination of the food supply with mycotoxins is increasingly prevalent, and can occur during growth, harvest, transportation, processing or storage. Techniques to reduce mycotoxin concentration after contamination are expensive, unreliable and sometimes reversible. Therefore, the removal of contaminated products from the food chain is a primary means of eliminating human exposure. The sensitive and accurate detection of very low levels of these compounds is critical to efforts to identify contaminated products. LC-MS/MS is a popular analytical technique for this purpose. This application explores using Ascentis® Express RP-Amide and Ascentis Express F5 HPLC columns to perform this analysis.

By Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany based in Darmstadt, GERMANY.

The US FDA and international regulatory agencies have set contamination levels for aflatoxins in animal feedstuffs. Since Aspergillus may infect commodities pre-harvest, during storage or during processing, monitoring for aflatoxins in associated agricultural commodities at all stages of production is requisite. Field screening methods exist that are adequate to estimate contamination levels for aflatoxins. When additional confirmation or quantification is desired, chromatographic laboratory analysis is often necessary. Preparation of matrix samples prior to chromatographic analysis typically requires extraction and purification. Commonly, immunoaffinity columns (IAC), which employ a multi-step bind and elute mechanism to concentrate and purify aflatoxins, are used to purify matrix samples for subsequent analysis. Solid phase extraction (SPE), an alternate method which may use interference removal, can also be employed.

By Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany based in Darmstadt, GERMANY.

Modern growing practices include scientific evaluations of soil, water, fertilizers, diseases, etc. While some tests are best performed by a laboratory, others can be easily conducted on location, saving time and money. Three tests in particular, EC, pH, and ALKALINITY, can reveal valuable information about water quality, soil salinity, and fertilizer concentration. MyronL Company’s portable AGRI-METERS provide you with a simple, fast, and accurate means of testing these parameters.

By Myron L Company based in Carlsbad, CALIFORNIA (USA).

Cambridge based Delta-T Devices specialises in instruments for environmental science, in particular: agronomy, plant physiology, eco-physiology, data logging, meteorology, soil moisture, solar energy studies and environmental monitoring.

By Delta-T Devices Ltd. based in Cambridge, UNITED KINGDOM.

We engineer and supply innovative technological solutions to improve fruit and vegetable cultivations and animal breeding. Our commitment is to a healthier, safer condition of all the actors involved in the agri-food chain (farmers, plants, animals, consumers) increasing the quantity and quality of food available, while at the same time reducing pesticide contaminations on products and in the environment.

By Industrie De Nora S.p.A. | De Nora Water Technologies based in Milan, ITALY.

By Carus Corporation based in Peru, ILLINOIS (USA).

Naturally occurred is predominantly L-form of tartaric acid whereas its D-form and the relevant racemic mixture can be artificially synthesized. Generally, artificial acidification of wine with tartaric acid is allowed by OIV, but only pure L-form must be used for this purpose. Thus the analysis of tartaric acid isomers either in food additives or directly in wine can be an important parameter in clarifying any deviations in wine production. Analysis of isomers of malic acid is also within the necessary oenological procedures stated in OIV recommendations. LUMEX INSTRUMENTS offers the present method which allows determination of L- and D-forms of tartaric and malic acids in wine, wine materials, and special food additives by capillary electrophoresis method. 

By Lumex Instruments Group based in Mission, BRITISH COLUMBIA (CANADA).

Need to maximize yield from your raw materials? Improve the purity of your product? Create the next future trend in taste and texture? Whatever your specific need, our aim is to put all the right solutions at your fingertips to ensure success. How can we help you? Irrespective of end products, our customers demand a customized solution for their solid/liquid separation and automation challenges. An approach where the starting point is not a separator, decanter, or filter press, but rather a careful evaluation of their objectives. And it all starts with a frank discussion about end product quality, efficiency, capacity, processes, and local support – we call it 360 degrees of separation.

By ANDRITZ Separation - ANDRITZ Group based in Graz, AUSTRIA.

There is a growing demand for more efficient, effective and durable solutions in the Agro industry. For TenCate this is a constant motivation to develop – often in close cooperation with our customers – the best solutions.

By TenCate Geosynthetics Netherlands bv based in AE in Nijverdal, NETHERLANDS.

The controlled composting of organic waste with the Toptex protection fabric leaves odour emissions at bay and increases the quality output significantly. Composting is the conversion of organic wastes into high quality humus. Through systematic controls these materials can be returned to the earth, completing the cycles of nature and improving the soil to which it is applied.

By TenCate Geosynthetics Netherlands bv based in AE in Nijverdal, NETHERLANDS.

In order to maintain high quality of milk products, it is necessary to monitor process quality as rapidly as possible, so that a relevant technological process could be promptly corrected. The most important quality factors of milk products are fat, protein, moisture (total solids), SNF, sugar, salt, lactose and titrated acidity. Commonly, it takes a few hours to make such type of analyses by traditional methods. The use of an InfraLUM® NIR analyzers reduces the analysis time to a couple of minutes. 

The method is based on measuring the transmission spectrum of a sample in the near-IR spectral region and subsequent determination of the analyzed parameters/constituents using a calibration model. Transmission measurement provides highest accuracy and reproducibility of the measurements. 

By Lumex Instruments Group based in Mission, BRITISH COLUMBIA (CANADA).

One of the tests for authenticity of milk and dairy foods is the qualitative and quantitative composition of whey proteins and their ratio. Caseins dominate in cow’s milk before its processing (about 80% of total protein), whereas caseins are almost absent in the whey composition whose main components are the following:

• β-lactoglobulins
• α-lactalbumin
• bovine serum albumin
• immunoglobulins
• lactoferrin and other minor proteins. 

By Lumex Instruments Group based in Mission, BRITISH COLUMBIA (CANADA).

In order to maintain high quality of milk products, it is necessary to monitor process quality as rapidly as possible, so that a relevant technological process could be promptly corrected. The most important quality factors of milk products are fat, protein, moisture (total solids), SNF, sugar, salt, lactose and titrated acidity. Commonly, it takes a few hours to make such type of analyses by traditional methods. The use of an InfraLUM® NIR analyzers reduces the analysis time to a couple of minutes.

By Lumex Instruments Group based in Mission, BRITISH COLUMBIA (CANADA).

Delta-T Devices supplies high quality, research grade equipment to help growers monitor and control irrigation using proven technology: 

• improve water use efficiency
• reduce fertiliser application rates
• enhance crop development 
• maintain yield 
• improve quality

By Delta-T Devices Ltd. based in Cambridge, UNITED KINGDOM.

Accuracy and ease of use make SM300 Soil Moisture Sensors well suited to irrigation applications. Readings can be used to optimise irrigation scheduling, or the SM300 can be installed as part of an automatic irrigation system. The sensor`s compact size allows it to be installed in plant pots or grow bags.

By Delta-T Devices Ltd. based in Cambridge, UNITED KINGDOM.

TenCate produces and supplies high-grade membranes for the most divers liquid applications. Reliable, tried and tested materials designed to meet today’s needs. Where ever water or other liquids need to be retained, Nicolon membranes offer the simple, most effective solution.

By TenCate Geosynthetics Netherlands bv based in AE in Nijverdal, NETHERLANDS.

Nicolon Insect Screen Fabrics feature woven polyethylene developed specifically for use in insect screening and bee cage applications. This unique fabric protects against and confines insects. Available with opening size dimensions ranging from 11 to 56 mils (0.3 to 1.4mm) and manufactured in six foot widths (1.8m), Nicolon insect screen fabrics shield against insects in a variety of applications.

By TenCate Geosynthetics Netherlands bv based in AE in Nijverdal, NETHERLANDS.

By Lumex Instruments Group based in Mission, BRITISH COLUMBIA (CANADA).

By Eggersmann Anlagenbau based in Bad Oeynhausen, GERMANY.

This institute is presently the largest CNRS centre devoted to integrative plant biology. IBMP focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of plant growth, differentiation, development and defense reactions against pathogens and environmental stresses. The research programs use functional genomics, genetics, molecular and cell biology and molecular enzymology.

By Bertin Instruments based in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, FRANCE.