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Welcome to the latest issue of Microbioz India. As
During laboratory work, the selection of chemicals and reagents often consists of a choice between lab grade or reagent grade products. The two products serve different purposes, but the question that begs to be answered is:
Before answering the question, it’s important to clarify the distinction between lab grade and reagent grade chemicals:
There are many regular and routine applications where lab-grade chemicals suffice perfectly alongside reagent-grade chemicals. Here are a few scenarios where lab-grade chemicals may perform just as well:
In cases of lab-grade chemicals being used, it is safe to say that there have been no highly precise measurements relied upon such as quantitative tests or analyses. For example, in general laboratory activities such as elementary titration or constructing solutions for class, the contamination levels of lab-grade chemicals are unlikely to have a great impact on the experiment’s outcome.
When the aim of the work is not obtaining accurate results in terms of validity but more towards establishing principles, lab grade chemicals do the trick. It is common knowledge that such labs focus more on hands-on practical work as well as basic experimental skills which do not necessarily the precise purity of reagents.
The majority of everyday tasks performed at a laboratory’s base such as washing, cleaning, or even the formulation of buffers tends to not follow the strict guidelines set for reagent grade chemicals. The purposes as stated above can be performed with ample accuracy without introducing uncontrolled levels of contamination or error.
For initial experiments or tests, lab-grade chemicals could be useful. In case of negative results, or if further refinement of the experiment is needed, the use of lab grade chemicals does not affect the overall project goals.
The difference between lab grade and reagent grade becomes insignificant if the impurities present within lab grade chemicals are non-reactive, and do not interfere with the other factors in the experiment. For instance, in a case where a lab grade solvent is used as a carrier in a moderately aggressive chemical reaction, the minimal portion of impurity will not change the outcome of the reaction.
Though, there are some conditions where reagent grade chemicals are a necessity. In these circumstances, lab grade products will not suffice.
Excluding Quantitative analysis, other types of experiment requiring high accuracy will need reagent grade chemicals, and everything else will need lab grade. Analytical techniques like HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography), mass spectrometry, or spectrophotometry will need these pure chemicals so as to not interfere with results. Measurements are too sensitive, and even trace amounts of impurities will lead to invalid data.
As with any scientific endeavor, pharmaceutical and biotechnology and Environmental science research require the use of chemicals of specific grades, for example, reagent grade chemicals. In the phase of drug development, for example, purity of the reagents is very important particularly in the safety and efficacy studies. Even small amounts of contamination can severely interfere with the outcome and may pose a risk of failing compliance with regulations.
Biological systems work in a very delicate manner, be it molecular biology, cell culture or enzyme reactions. Contaminants can adversely affect the biological processes being studied. With the use of Reagent grade chemicals, contamination that would interfere with the cell growth, enzymatic activity or other biochemical processes is eliminated.
Any organization in the industry of pharmaceuticals and food services is obligated to comply with set standards regarding the quality and safety of the products. Compliance with industrial regulations is taken care of by the usage of reagent grade chemicals, which is very strict in terms of term of contamination.
Reagent-grade chemicals are customarily required where great precision, reproduction and adequately regulatory controlled environment are expected. Lab-grade chemicals can be deemed ample for many commonplace activities.
Lab grade can be adequate in situations where purity is not paramount. However, for experiments that require great accuracy and sensitive reactions, the clear choice is reagent grade chemicals.
It ultimately hinges on the particulars of the experiment and whether the expense of reagent grade cleans up the issue for higher purity in your work. Lab grade chemicals will get the work done for general laboratory work and in many for high end research, where precision is necessary, reagent grade is usually the best approach to take.
