Freezing level osmometry in life science purposes

Please present an summary of osmometry generally.

Osmometry is a methodology for figuring out the osmolality of a pattern. That is the whole variety of osmotically lively particles dissolved in a answer. These particles affect the colligative properties of the answer, which embody, for instance, the boiling and freezing factors, but additionally the vapor stress.

Whereas the primary parameter will increase because the variety of particles in a answer will increase, the opposite two lower. The fascinating factor about osmolality is that it is determined by the variety of dissolved particles, not on their chemical nature.

Due to this fact, it could be seen as a worth representing the whole focus of solutes. One space of ​​software is, for instance, the standard management of isotonic drinks.

Which measuring precept is utilized in the Knauer Ok-7400S semi-micro osmometer to find out the osmolality of pattern liquids?

Our osmometer is primarily based on the precept of freezing level osmometry. As already talked about, the freezing level of a answer decreases because the variety of dissolved particles will increase and this modification is exactly decided by the Ok-7400S.

In a primary step, the osmometer rapidly cools the pattern from room temperature to beneath 0 °C. Though the temperature of the pattern drops even beneath its precise freezing level, the answer stays liquid.

At a predefined temperature, freezing is then initiated by a small motion of a wire that’s immersed within the pattern. This turbulence results in uniform crystallization and subsequent temperature equalization on the freezing level of the pattern.

All through the whole course of, the pattern temperature is exactly monitored by a high-resolution thermistor. Lastly, primarily based on the freezing level and a reference calibration, the osmolality of the pattern is calculated and reported by the osmometer.

How exact is the Knauer Ok-7400S osmometer thermistor? How does this have an effect on the accuracy of the Ok-7400S?

The thermistor has a decision of 1/1000K to detect even the smallest temperature adjustments. As a result of osmolality is straight correlated to the freezing level of a answer, correct willpower of the freezing temperature is crucial to receive a dependable osmolality worth. Due to this fact, the thermistor is one among the important thing elements of the osmometer.

For which purposes can the Knauer Ok-7400S osmometer be used?

The potential makes use of of the Ok-7400S are numerous. It is usually utilized in pharmacies, for instance, particularly to regulate the standard of batch preparations.

These might be trivial options reminiscent of eye drops and rinsing options for contact lenses, however the spectrum additionally extends to advanced infusion options for ache remedy.

As well as, the meals business is a rising marketplace for us. With the arrival of isotonic drinks, we’re promoting increasingly tools to breweries and smooth drink producers who want to examine the osmolality of their sports activities drinks.

What does isotonic imply on this context? Why is it well-known to give you the option to take a look at these drinks?

On this context, isotonic – or isoosmotic – signifies that the drink has the identical osmolality as human blood. Because of this property, the minerals and vitamins contained might be absorbed extra rapidly than with non-isotonic drinks reminiscent of cola and juice. This is a bonus, particularly for athletes, as they’ll get well extra rapidly after strenuous sporting actions.

To label a drink as “isotonic,” common monitoring of osmolality ought to happen to make sure the accuracy of the assertion. The European Meals Security Authority (EFSA) has set the isotonic vary of liquids at 300 mOsmol/kg ± 10%.

KNAUER was based 55 years in the past and the osmometer was the corporate’s first efficiently marketed product. How bear osmometers modified since then?

Our first osmometer was a sensation on the time as a result of it had very excessive precision and was actually small. Each options nonetheless apply to our present osmometer, however different features bear additionally turn out to be extra related since then.

Usability and user-friendliness bear been continually improved and as digitalization has progressed, we bear additionally expanded the capabilities of the osmometer and developed particular software program – the EuroOsmo 7400.

What extra capabilities does the EuroOsmo 7400 give the osmometer? Easy methods to management the Ok-7400S?

The Ok-7400S is a standalone machine with all of the mandatory capabilities for routine measurements. Nonetheless, many purchasers desire to perform and file their evaluation on the pc.

For these prospects we supply the EuroOsmo 7400 software program. Along with taking measurements and altering settings, you can too identify samples individually. This might be executed both by typing or utilizing a barcode scanner, minimizing misattribution of outcomes.

The info can after all be saved and exported into numerous file codecs for expend in laboratory info administration methods (LIMS).

What does the longer term gape like for Knauer osmometers? What progress achieve you hope to see in the subsequent few years?

After efficiently lowering the pattern quantity to 50 µl with our Ok-7400S, one among our focuses is now on additional minimizing the measurement time. KNAUER can even additional optimize the measuring course of itself.

Product enchancment takes set in steady communication with our prospects. For those who would love to provide us suggestions or options about our osmometers, please ship an e-mail to [email protected].

The place can readers discover extra info?

Your readers can discover additional details about our freezing level osmometer Ok-7400S as nicely because the theoretical background of osmometry on our web site www.knauer.internet/osmometry

About Dr. Until Myrach, Product Supervisor, KNAUER

From 2004 to 2009, Until studied molecular life sciences and plant biotechnology at the colleges of Lübeck and Hanover. In 2015 he accomplished his doctorate in plant biochemistry on the Free College of Berlin. Until joined KNAUER in 2016 as product supervisor for osmometers.