The compact, miniaturised 2LabsToGo system 8 kg, 31 cm x 26 cm x 34 cm combines all the tasks of planar chromatography in an automated, portable all-in-one system.
For the first time, it enables cost-effective quality control of wholemeal grain for ergot alkaloids directly in milling operations. Miniaturisation sustainably reduces the challenges of analytical instrumentation while retaining the same informative value. Naturally occurring mycotoxins from Claviceps fungi, such as ergot alkaloids, pose a health risk. Precise methods of analysis are therefore required to ensure food safety. The miniaturised 2LabsToGo system was used for the first time for the analysis of ergotamine and ergot alkaloids, for example in whole rye wholemeal samples Fig.
It was not necessary to crush the grains. The simple sample preparation for several samples at the same time took only 10 min. The simultaneous chromatographic separation of 12 samples took 10 min. The validation data was impressive. The detection limit for ergocristine was determined to be 0. The compact, miniaturised 2LabsToGo system 8 kg, 31 cm x 26 cm x 34 cm combines all the tasks of planar chromatography in an automated, portable all-in-one system Fig.
Miniaturisation proves to be advantageous when comparing the costs, weight and space requirements of the instruments. Compared to conventional HPTLC devices, the device costs have been reduced by a factor of 40, the weight by a factor of 9 and the space requirement by a factor of 8. This has already been calculated in detail for the screening of saccharides in foods and lactose-free foods [2] and applies here in the same way. It can also be combined with toxicological detection using a planar bioassay that indicates pollutants [3] thereby unifying technologies from four different disciplines Fig.
Miniaturisation, if it does not go too far it should still be operable by the operator's hands , reduces instrumental disadvantages and challenges.
