Productivity Soars
for IITRI's Analytical Chemistry Team

IITRI's Analytical Services Section has quadrupled its productivity in the last four years. Miguel Muzzio, Ph.D., Senior Chemist and Analytical Supervisor for the Inhalation Toxicology Division, attributes the dramatic boost to the expertise of IITRI's analytical scientists and their ability to customize analytical methods to meet sponsors' needs.

	IITRI's analytical chemists employ state-of-the-art instrumentation, such as the gas chromatography (GC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detection systems in the IITRI laboratory pictured here.

Staff Offers Broad Range of Expertise

With backgrounds in environmental testing, biotechnology, drug analysis, and pharmaceutical testing, IITRI's Ph.D.- and M.S.-level analytical chemists offer expertise in the analysis of organic and inorganic substances in a variety of complex matrices, including tissues and other biological specimens, dosing formulations, and cigarette smoke. "With that broad range of knowledge and experience, we can develop the methodology and the approach to answer essentially any analytical question that a sponsor might pose," Dr. Muzzio said.

Now 20 members strong (about twice its 2001 size), IITRI's analytical chemistry staff is experienced in the development and performance of analytical methodology to determine trace level analytes such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic amines, nitrosamines, volatile organic compounds, phenols, aldehydes, hydrogen cyanide, elemental analytes, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides and alkaloids.

Customized Methods Maximize Efficiency

"Our success is based on our ability to develop and implement analytical methodology and then perform it in a productive way, Dr. Muzzio said, adding, "We can work with a large number of samples, in a short period of time." While several approaches may lead to similar findings, the key to productivity is in determining and applying the right tools and methods for the job.

IITRI's analytical chemists employ state-of-the-art instrumentation such as:

• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), including tandem mass spectrometry capabilities;
• Gas chromatography (GC) with different detection system capabilities, including specific detectors for the determination of nitrogenated compounds;
• High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with multiple detection systems, including radiochemical detectors;
• Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instrumentation with dynamic reaction cell (DRC) capabilities for elemental analysis;
• Autosamplers for headspace analyses.

IITRI's strength is in developing applications that optimize the instrumentation. Identifying the right tool for the job translates to more reliable results, faster turn-around and lower costs for the sponsors, said Dr. Muzzio.

The Right Tools Reduce Costs

For example, IITRI was among the first in the industry to use ICP-MS with DRC technology in the analysis of trace metals. Traditionally, the standard approach for elemental analysis was to "digest" or mineralize the sample with strong acids to eliminate the organic matter and overcome analytical interferences.

This process, which used acids to oxidize organic matter, resulted in wastes, increased the time and expense of analysis, and also introduced risks of contaminating the sample. By contrast, DRC technology allows chemists to analyze samples in the presence of organic material, thereby greatly reducing time, expense, and the potential for error.

Studies Adhere to GLP Regulations

The majority of IITRI's studies are performed according to Good Laboratory Practices or other regulatory requirements, as requested by the sponsors. "Our lab will perform virtually any analytical test under any regulatory umbrella," Dr. Muzzio said. IITRI's Quality Assurance Unit performs regular inspections and audits to ensure that all studies and reports adhere to appropriate regulations.

"Our experience in the operation of high through-put analytical work is very important to our sponsors," Dr. Muzzio said. "We are focused on reducing the time required to complete a task; this increases sample throughput and reduces costs, both of which always benefit the sponsor."

More information on IITRI's Analytical Chemistry research services is available on the IITRI web site.