Ultima Gold, 2x5L

In Liquid Scintillation Counting (LSC), preparationof biological samples has always been treated as aspecial case because of the difficulties associated with their preparation for counting. In general, all biological samples contain components not generallyfound in any other sample types, therefore it is of benefit to understand the composition of these samples to fully understand the need for the slightly unusual sample preparation methods.

One researcher commented that the addition of a 5.0 mLof 0.1 M HCl sample to 10.0 mL of ULTIMA™ Gold,followed by mixing at 24 °C, resulted in a “slightly hazy” system. The researcher was concerned that this might indicate an unstable mixture.

The primary objective of all sample preparation procedures for liquid scintillation counting (LSC) is to obtain a homogeneous solution for efficient energy transfer from the sample to the LS cocktail. Aqueous solutions are some of the simplest and most commonly found in liquid scintillation analysis. In general, they provide the environment necessary for many assays and separations, and include the most encountered solvent media for the numerous radioisotopes usedin LSC.

One of PerkinElmer’s field sales engineers forwarded a request for assistance regarding the selection of the optimal cocktail for use with a sample containing 4.5 mL deionized water and 0.036 N sulfuric acid. The nuclide of interest was 3H, and polyethylene vials were used extensively in the laboratory.

Our field representative asked for application assistance for a researcher who wished to improve the 3H efficiency of a PerkinElmer FLO-ONE™ A-525 flow scintillation analyzer with a sample that contained chloroform. In general, the researcher had been experiencing poor results.

A researcher was performing ligand binding experiments, and asked for assistance to select a new, safer, cocktail for processing his 30,000 samples per year., The researcher wished to avoid the time-consuming task of testing a wide variety of cocktails and turned to PerkinElmer for a solution.

One of PerkinElmer’s field representatives requested help for a researcher currently using PerkinElmer cocktails that contained toluene and xylene. The researcher hoped to “skip” two generations of cocktails and move up to PerkinElmer’s newest, ULTIMA Gold™, line of cocktail. The researcher’s primary concern was compatibility of the cocktail and sample.

A researcher called to request the best safer cocktail for his diethyl ether extract. This researcher wished to add either 3 mL or 6 mL of sample to 10 mL cocktail in a plastic vial. The isotope of interest was 3H. The researcher wanted to find a high 3H efficiency cocktail.

A researcher had been using PerkinElmer’s Biological Sample Preparation Guide in an attempt to process sheep plasma samples. The samples were labeled with 3H and 14C. The current procedure called for 0.1 mL or 0.2 mL of plasma with 0.5 mL of deionised (DI) water in 15 mL of ULTIMAGold™. After several hours, the samples would turn cloudy and separate. The researcher requested our help to refine her sample preparation technique or recommend conversion to an alternate cocktail.

The manager of one of PerkinElmer’s application support departments requested assistance for a researcher who was performing catecholamineassays. After sample preparation with ULTIMAGold™, the researcher had been experiencing high backgrounds.

For over 50 years PerkinElmer has been a leading supplier of radiochemicals, liquid scintillation cocktails, vials and nuclear counting detection instruments. Today is no different. We have always been committed to providing you products for all of your radiometric needs and we are still committed today.

Address any liquid scintillation counting need with PerkinElmer’s liquid scintillation cocktails, tissue solubilizers and specialty chemicals. You can be confident that our products meet the highest standards of performance, user safety, environmental safety, and user convenience. Plus, our portfolio of application notes can assist you with even the most complex liquid scintillation counting applications you perform in your research.