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.

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.

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).

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).

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).

Farmers and researchers in the agricultural industry have used AMS sampling equipment for over 50 years. The AMS Step Probe, Soil Recovery Probes, and a variety of one and two-piece augers are used in the agricultural sampling market to obtaining disturbed samples at or near the surface and for boring to depths where more precise samples can be obtained. AMS now offers a variety of nematode sampling equipment, ATV-mounted PowerProbe rigs, and one and two-piece open-faced augers.

By Art’s Manufacturing and Supply, Inc. (AMS Inc.) based in American Falls, IDAHO (USA).

Agriculture is by far the largest water use at global level. Irrigation of agricultural lands accounted for 70% of the water used worldwide. In several developing countries, irrigation represents up to 95% of all water uses, and plays a major role in food production and food security. Future agricultural development strategies of most of these countries depend on the possibility to maintain, improve and expand irrigated agriculture.

By Lenntech Water Treatment based in Delft, NETHERLANDS.

Tea plant is a shrub that develops in tropical or subtropical climates, coming from continental China, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Japan, Nepal, Austria and Kenya. Tea trees are cultivated in gardens, huge forests of small trees. The bigger producers worldwide are China and India; both produce the 50% of the total. The tea production is very competitive all around the world. Not technified irrigation systems, obsolete and the lack of water are the most important factors that reduce the tea production.

By Sistema Azud, S.A. based in Alcantarilla, SPAIN.

The date palm trees are from the Palmaceae family. They come from the Persian Gulf and they grow in the arid and subtropical regions. The main producers are Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iraq and Algeria (source: FAO). Its fruit, the date, make bunches of until 25 kg of mature fruit and it reaches it whole development in several months. It has an oval shape, it is smooth and with a long and grooved seed. In some countries, the fruits are covered with paper bags to protect them from the elements (rain, dust) and the rodents.

By Sistema Azud, S.A. based in Alcantarilla, SPAIN.