Microwave Digestion Archive

Elemental analysis of polymer systems is frequently inconclusive or erroneous if the sample is not completely digested. Together with the Milestone UltraWAVE and traceCLEAN acid steam cleaning system, we have the capability to tackle the most difficult samples while reaching detection limits in the parts per trillion (ppt) range.

ultraWAVE was awarded as the most innovative product in sample preparation for metal analysis

The ultraWAVE replaced Unilever's existing closed vessel microwave system and doubled their sample digestion capacity without increasing the hours of labor associated with the current sample prep. With the UltraWAVE they are able to digest any difficult sample while obtaining very low blanks and no evidence of cross contamination.

Elemental analysis of heavy crude oil is important for a variety of reasons including region of origin, maturity, migration, type, and identification of potential challenges that could arise during the refining process. There are numerous challenges with analysis of heavy crude oil with most being centered on the sample prep process due to the complexity of the sample matric. Microwave digestion has been used to overcome these challenges.

This groundbreaking research compares conventional AOCS methods with microwave-assisted techniques for determining Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) in food matrices. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and efficiency of Milestone’s ETHOS X microwave-assisted technology against standard AOCS methods (Ce 2b-11 and Ce 2c-11).

The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) project team recently published a comprehensive study on the field. 2 It was carried out on behalf of Department of environment, food and rural affair (DEFRA) with the aim to detect and quantify the occurrence of different type of microplastic in UK river and sediments, including the assessment of TWP though an indirect quantification of 6-PPD, which was chose a a molecular marker due to its particular chemical structure and persistency in the environment. Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) proved to be a reliable and effective technique to obtain extraction of those types of additives from the treated sediments and soils. To perform MAE, the group of research used Milestone’s ETHOS X benchtop microwave extraction system with fastEX 24 eT rotor.

Mineral oil hydrocarbons are a growing concern pollutant in food quality control. Microwave-assisted solvent extraction is a well-established sample preparation technique and offers a reliable and efficient approach to their extraction.

Saponification number in oils measures the amount of alkali required to convert fats into soap and it is a crucial parameter for formulation of industrial or artisanal soap. Microwave assisted solvent extraction is a well-established sample preparation technique and offers a reliable and efficient approach for its quantification. Milestone ETHOS X equipped with fastEX-24 eT rotor was used in this study to demonstrate its effectiveness in comparison with official ISO 3657:2020 method and European Pharmacopoeia.

Craft beer has an ever-increasing importance in the current market and the type of product offered can determine the market response. Microwave extractors for the food sector can bring great innovation to the beer production sector. We interviewed Dr. Nicola Grande, a master brewer, about this.