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Nuclear Magnetic Resonance: A Testing Methodology for High Stakes Issues

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a powerful analytical tool used in various fields of science. NMR has also been increasingly used in a variety of industries to help solve real-world problems where human health and legal compliance are at stake.

NMR plays an important role in the work of border services to detect narcotics. This methodology can identify the chemical composition of suspicious substances and determine whether they are illegal narcotics. NMR helps law enforcement services to prevent the trafficking of illegal drugs across borders, keeping communities safe.

If law enforcement services count on the insights provided by NMR to do their work, the food and supplement industry should as well. It is one of the most trustworthy tools to analyze a product’s composition.

The following are some of the important ways NMR is trusted to ensure health and maintain quality and safety:

  • Food Adulteration: One of the most significant problems facing the food industry today is adulteration. Adulteration exists in many forms, one of which is the addition of low-quality ingredients to food products to increase their weight or enhance their appearance. NMR can help identify adulterants in food products and their concentration. This vital analysis can help food manufacturers and retailers ensure the safety of their products.
  • Ingredient Profiling: NMR can also be used to identify and quantify the components of products. By analyzing its chemical composition, NMR can help identify the specific ingredients that make up a product. In the health supplements industry where the regulations are inadequately enforced, NMR is a powerful tool to confirm ingredients, and reveal components that may not be listed in the formula.
  • Shelf-Life Analysis: NMR can also be used to analyze the shelf life of flavouring materials. By analyzing the chemical composition of flavouring materials over time, NMR can determine how long a product will remain fresh. This can help manufacturers optimize their production processes, reduce waste, and ensure that their products remain high quality throughout their shelf life.

NMR is a non-targeted analytical technique used to examine the chemical composition of a sample. It can provide a great deal of information such as:

  • A comprehensive picture of the metabolomic profile of a product versus targeted methods that focus only on specific, pre-defined targets
  • Detailed information about the chemical composition of a product
  • The quantification of compounds present in a sample
  • The presence of contaminants or adulterants

NMR analysis can provide greater insights into product quality at a time when the industry needs it. Want to learn more? Visit Our Science page.

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