Spex Speaks Science

The science and art of gardening and agriculture is part passion, part luck and a lot of chemistry.

In this podcast, will take a look at the science of soil and how chemistry can affect the growth and health of plants. We will also take a look at sources of potential contamination in gardens and how those contaminants can be tested and remediated. 

Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Spex's Senior Applications Scientist 

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Chemical and elemental species are important in many fields of science and health. Human health and nutrition can be influenced by the presence or absence of certain chemical species such as iron, selenium, arsenic, and mercury. Some chemical species are potentially toxic and are targets of concern.

In this podcast, learn about the importance and role of chemical species.

Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Spex's Senior Applications Scientist 

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Terpenes are the common term for a large group of compounds that contribute to flavor and smell of botanical products. Flavonoids are botanical compounds, similar to terpenes, responsible for different processes for defense and metabolic processes in plants. These compounds are responsible for many colors observed in botanical materials and plants.

In this podcast, we discuss Terpenes and Flavonoids. 

Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Spex's Senior Applications Scientist 

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A normal part of laboratory operations is the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Most laboratory personnel are familiar with common PPE such as gloves, safety glasses and lab coats. Now in the time of the pandemic laboratories are reassessing and adding to their PPE protocols with the addition of face masks, face shields and further protections.

In this podcast, we discuss the wide spectrum of disinfectants, sanitizers and additional PPE we are all adding to our laboratory operations.

View our PPE products

Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Spex's Senior Applications Scientist 

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As businesses begin to return to operation, laboratories which may have been forced to shut down during the pandemic, are now being asked to reopen with a new level of concern for not only chemical contamination but viral contamination. During this time of heightened anxiety, it is good to know most common laboratory procedures used to keep scientists safe from chemical exposures also work well for limiting biological exposures. It is important to keep in mind all of the advice given by governmental agencies for our protection, but also develop a plan and set of resources to return to business in the office and in the laboratory.

View Back to the Bench: A Chemist's Guide to Returning to the Laboratory

Hosted by Patricia Atkins and Rebekah Biermann of Spex

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Many chemists and scientists are considered essential personnel during the COVID-19 outbreak. While many chemists understand the nature of clean lab techniques, they might not be aware of how these techniques will protect them from a biological contamination risk. This podcast will talk about the fundamentals of a biological viral outbreak and discuss common and uncommon laboratory techniques that will limit spread and combat contamination. We will discuss additional points of protection and laboratory practices that can be enacted to ensure a higher degree of cleanliness. We will also talk about the inevitable result of potential chemical contamination, which can result, with the increased application of chemicals for biological protection.

Key Learning Objectives

• Review of common laboratory cleanliness practices and how they can be increased or changed to also combat biological agents.
• Discussion of the biology and virology involved of the current outbreak to the chemical community which has some knowledge of the process but does not see biology as part of their expertise.
• Highlight where biological controls may contribute unfortunate chemical contamination to their analysis so that the community can be aware and minimize disruption to their work.

Hosted by Patricia Atkins and Rebekah Biermann of SPEX CertiPrep.

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Ten years ago, SPEX CertiPrep published a well-received study about the toxic elements in Pet Food. We found that some dog and cat foods were full of heavy metals. Since that study was done, the US government enacted the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) which includes pet foods. Now, ten years later, we are getting ready to repeat our study to see what may have changed in pet foods over the last decade.

Original Trace Metals Analysis in Commercial Foods Webinar: https://www.spexcertiprep.com/webinar/trace-metals-analysis-of-commercial-pet-food

Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Spex's Senior Applications Scientist 

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The chemistry of color is actually a representation of the physical properties of chemicals that come through absorption of energy. The colors we see are a function of the light and energy absorbed and reflected by the materials and substances we observe. The chemistry of color is part organic chemistry, part physics known as spectroscopy.

In this podcast, we look at the basics of the chemistry of color.

Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Spex's Senior Applications Scientist 

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Heavy metal exposure in the environment has led to toxic elements transitioning into our food and water supplies increasing human exposure. Agricultural products can be highly prone to heavy metal deposition and accumulation through repeated exposure to natural and contaminated environmental sources. In some cases, heavy metals are intentionally introduced to products as adulterants or to counterfeit high value commodities. The value of these commodities make them prone to adulteration and duplication. The consumption of botanical products has increased over the past two decades as consumers trend to what are perceived to be natural and high quality botanical products. The primary regions of spice and tea production around the world have often been cited as having less stringent safety and quality standards in regards to consumer products. Products from these regions have been noted to contain a variety of adulterants and contaminants including wear metals and toxic elements.

In this podcast we will explain several types of products which may accumulate heavy metals including spices, hemp and other nutraceuticals.

Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Spex's Senior Applications Scientist 

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On a daily basis, the average person around the world is subjected to doses of heavy metals from a variety of sources. One of the most insidious sources of routes of exposure is through the food supply. The World Health Organization contends that food may be the source of the largest contribution to the intake of heavy metals (especially lead). Many foods may naturally contain heavy metal compounds, from either natural biochemical processes or from bio accumulation from the environment.

In this podcast, we will look at different sources of potential heavy metal exposure and their concentrations in a variety of food products including fish, and beverages. In addition to the original research presented, we will compare other historical studies and public health findings to showcase the sources and concentrations of various heavy metals found in the food and water supply in order to build a more complete picture of heavy metal exposure through food and beverages.

Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Spex's Senior Applications Scientist 

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