Restec@Eclipse

QUALITY

The integrity of the results generated in our laboratories is of the utmost importance.
Our service, based on the use of fully validated analytical procedures, closely adheres to the European Quality Control Guidelines and is backed by UKAS accreditation for most of the tests undertaken.

Eclipse Scientific Group participates in FAPAS proficiency testing and staff members serve on expert committees that deal with pesticide issues.

Analytical techniques include efficient selective extractions, without decomposition of pesticide residue traces - whilst eliminating interference from co-extracted naturally occurring compounds.

These techniques are overwhelmingly based on chromatography (GC or HPLC), with analysis or confirmation by mass selective detectors and/or mass spectroscopy (MS). Increasingly, use of LC-MS is necessary to meet the demands of selectivity and low detection limits imposed by legislation.

Levels found are typically in the µg - mg/kg range (ppb - ppm) but many of the pesticides break down to other compounds or metabolites, which are sometimes of relevance.

Detection limits achieved by the Eclipse Scientific Group are at or below the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) specified in legislation. Where required (eg when testing foods for babies and infants), Eclipse can work to even lower detection limits.

The multi-residue screen for fruit and vegetables includes over 150 organochlorine, organophosphorus, organonitrogen, triazine, dicarboximide, pyrethroid, strobilurin and miscellaneous compounds. The range of pesticides that we test for is periodically updated to take account of changes in legislation or emerging issues.

Please contact our Pesticide Residue Team – telephone 01354 695858 – if you require technical advice.