[Nhcoll-l] using raman spectrometer in fluid collections

[Fabian Neisskenwirth]

Dear Sytske,

I used a handheld Raman-Spectrometer for exactly the same purpose during 
my master study for a relatively small collection of around 100 
specimens. The results are amazing. Fast and reliable information about 
the main composition of the fluid is gathered without opening jars. This 
is not just time saving, but also much less of risk for the collection 
staff and the specimens. So I deeply encourage you to make all the 
effort in getting this device, since you would be setting a big 
milestone as an institution.

Besides, Raman-Spectroscopy is not only helpful in detecting 
preservation fluids, but all kind of materials. So you can argue that 
the use of the device is not only focused for the fluid collection, but 
all kind of different collections, like dry specimens that may contain 
harmful substances, as arsenic or heavy metals.

Sophie Cersoy from the MNHN in Paris has good experience using 
stationary Raman-Spectrometers, you may have read her Paper on the topic 
in the Collection Forum from 2020. So get in touch with her as well.

I can give you my own results too if you are interested, just write to 
me on a private thread.


I so envious that you maybe can get on of these devices!! hahaha. So do it!


All the best from the Ruhrarea,



Am 09.12.22 um 13:55 schrieb Sytske de Waart:
> dear all,
>
> At Naturalis Biodiversity Center we have a large fluid collection 
> (estimated 1 miljoen jars). We currently (this year and next year) 
> work on eliminating a backlog of about 130.000 jars.
> Specimens can be on ethanol, formalin, glycerol, Steedman's fluid etc. 
> To help us distinguish between different fluids, without having to 
> open the jar, we have been trying out a handheld raman spectrometer 
> <https://www.metrohm.com/en/products/metrohm-means-spectroscopy.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA1sucBhDgARIsAFoytUu_0NeoFoqtjUOkHuFnlHou61A8pN_e80SplAzdsTz07jxABxLlkPgaAgq9EALw_wcB> for 
> two weeks. It meets our expectations: it is fast (10 seconds per 
> measurement), you can make your own library with fluids, it is easy to 
> use, it identifies the fluid in 87% of the jars (the remaining 13% 
> inconclusive might be due to contaminated fluids with fat, dirt or 
> colourants from the specimen). The downside is of course the price: 
> 33K euros (ex VAT). Though we can get a discount, it is still a lot of 
> money.
>
> So my question to you is: who has experience with the use of a raman 
> spectrometer in fluid collections? Do you use it often, and for what? 
> Does it meet expectations, is it useful for other purposes in the 
> collection?
> Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this topic with me!
>
> best regards/Met vriendelijke groet,
>
> Sytske de Waart
> coördinator fluid collections
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