Detect organic contamination in water faster, cheaper and on the spot

PickMol™ technology

PickMol™ technology is based on plasmonic enhanced Raman scattering and is represented by a nano-optical chip (PickMol™ Sensing Chip), detection system (PickMol™ RAMASCOPE), measurement & evaluation software (PickMol™ sw/application) and database of pure forms of detected molecules (PickMol™ database). The patented technology is dedicated for high-sensitive screening (sub-nanomolar) of the organic and inorganic compounds in liquid samples.

PickMol™ technology is a rapid method (10 minutes from sampling to results) for qualitative detection of target molecules like: POPs/pesticides, PFAS, drug residues, chemicals, cleaning & disinfection agents etc. which are present in water reservoirs, waste water samples, technology samples, beverages & food samples and many others.

PickMol™ represents portable solution where the detection runs on disposable sensing chip which is immersed into water sample or 1 drop(4μl) of the liquid sample is applied onto chip surface. Result of PickMolTM analysis is positive or negative response for the presence of the chemical element(s), for defined threshold concentration.

Products

Sensing chip

RAMASCOPE

Customization & Development

PickMol™ Sensing Chip

Designed for detection of specific pollutant in given liquid or food. Each chip is set up for specific chemical element or group of elements (multi- chip) with given concentration.

Be always
in control of
water quality

RAMASCOPE

RAMASCOPE is a versatile portable Raman instrument with full control of measurement parameters (laser power, acquisition time, multiple acquisitions) dedicated for operation in research laboratories and in the field, particularly for Raman detection of liquid samples (in cuvettes) and on nanostructured chips

(designed surface for sensitive and selective detection of molecules based on PERS/ SERS effect). The reproducibility of PERS/SERS detection is significantly increased by area-averaging of the Raman signal. The RAMASCOPE is equipped with data acquisition and evaluation software. External-battery-operated version is available.

Specifications

Excitation wavelength 785 nm Spectral range 250 - 2200 cm-1
Laser power adjustable up to 100 mW SERS averaging area 0.3 x 0.3 mm
Spectral resolution 8 cm-1 Dimensions 250 x 180 x 80 mm
Excitation wavelength 785 nm
Spectral range 250 - 2200 cm-1
Laser power adjustable up to 100 mW
SERS averaging area 0.3 x 0.3 mm
Spectral resolution 8 cm-1
Dimensions 250 x 180 x 80 mm

Built-in laser and spectrograph controlled by external computer Universal sample holder for cuvettes and SERS substrates. High signal reproducibility reached by area-averaging.

Software

Data acquisition

Setting the laser power, the acquisition time and the number of accumulations

Signal processing

Data smoothing Background removal Peak fitting

Data Analysis

(optional) Spectral reconstruction

Installation

The process

1. Unpack and inspect the components for signs of damage.
2. Install the Pickmol software from the thumb drive.
3. Connect the the USB cable and the 12 V power supply.
4. Run the software.

Sample preparation

1. Remove the chip from the vacuum package.
2. Drop 2 ul of the sample to the chip active area and let it dry.
3. Insert the chip into the sample holder.
4. Put the sample holder to the RAMASCOPE.

Sample preparation

1. Remove the chip from the vacuum package.
2. Drop 2 ul of the sample to the chip active area and let it dry.
3. Insert the chip into the sample holder.
4. Put the sample holder to the RAMASCOPE.

Glyphosate

Glyphosate is an amino phosphonic analog of the amino acid glycine known to be a broad spectrum (non selective) systemic herbicide that is applied directly to plant foliage It is commonly known by its original trade name Roundup TM It was introduced for weed control in agricultural production fields in 1974 and nowadays it is the world‘s most widely used herbicide.

Mode of action

Glyphosate 1 inhibits the enzyme 5 enolpyruvylshikimate 3 phosphate that synthesizes 3 amino acids which are essential for plant growth 2 chelates metal ions making them unavailable to plants and other organisms and thereby disrupts vital metabolic processes including enzyme activities 3 disrupts the soil and root microbial communities
Glyphosate was originally considered to be of low toxicity to humans, micro-organisms, and animals. However, recent research indicates that it is probably carcinogenic to humans. The chronic exposition to the compound can also develop attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), colitis, gluten intolerance, diabetes, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, amyotrophic lateral syndrome, multiple sclerosis, obesity, depression, Alzheimer's disease, anencephaly, autism, birth defects, among other diseases.

Enviromental effects

In the 20 th century, the use of glyphosate increased dramatically due to the introduction of genetically modified glyphosate resistant crops which has led to the accumulation of this compound in the environment and edible products. Standard detection methods (gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography) require laborious sample preparation and they are time- and cost-consuming.
PickMolTM is a very suitable analytical technology providing ‘on site’ quick screening of samples without the need of the sample pre-treatment. PickMolTM is able to detect ones and distinguish individual pollutants even in mixtures and at low concentrations.

Paraquat

One of the most employed plaguicides in the world for weed elimination. It acts blocking the photosynthesis process and may produce biological damage by oxidative stress in plants and animals.Highly toxic for the human health, producing a large amount of deaths in the human population.

PickMolTM is a very suitable analytical technology providing ‘on site’ quick screening of samples without the need of the sample pre-treatment. PickMolTM is able to detect ones and distinguish individual pollutants even in mixtures and at low concentrations.

Customization & Development

Customization & Developement section is dedicated to fulfill your specific needs and requirements. Our R&D centre is ready to support specific sensing chip developement for chemical compounds, production process, environment and other unique conditions related to your application.

Please, do not hesitate to contact us at info@saftra-photonics.org for more details.