lablinks encourages SARAF participation.
Dr John Keegan spotted an article, in the June 2005 edition of lablinks, on the School for Advanced Residue Analysis in Food (SARAF) and he joined a group of delegates from all over the world in Nantes on 3 – 14 October 2005 for its sixth session.
The course covered the broad areas of:
- Analysis of foodstuffs;
- Analysis of food legislation;
- Importance of food legislation in international trade.
"We looked at such things as drug residues, pesticides, dioxins and all other food contaminants, as well as the use of the different instrumental detection methods available including screening and confirmatory methods," Dr Keegan, an Executive Analytical Chemist at the Public Analyst’s Laboratory in Dublin, explained.
Mass spectral techniques
Dr Keegan found the heavy emphasis on mass spectral techniques and the method validation on the course particularly useful: "The Dublin Public Analyst’s Laboratory has recently acquired advanced LC-MS/MS and we’re introducing more and more mass spec. methods here. Probably next year we will submit our first mass spec. method for accreditation."
The course wasn’t all classroom-style lectures. "The afternoons were often practical group workshops which were applications of what was discussed in the lectures," said Dr Keegan.
A number of special topics were also presented, including:
- Experimental design;
- Principal component analysis.
Practical demonstrations from some instrument suppliers, such as:
- ‘Lab on a chip’ techniques;
- RT-PCR for dioxins also featured.
Informal discussion
Dr Keegan also appreciated the chats with colleagues outside the classroom. "Informally there was discussion amongst ourselves, exchanging views and analytical problems. As there were only 20 of us on the course we could have in-depth discussion with the lecturers, who are leaders in the analysis of food residue and contaminants, during breaks."
Recommendations
Dr Keegan would have no hesitation in recommending the SARAF course: "It can benefit the individual analyst and, as they bring back new information, the participating analyst’s laboratory too."
Dr Keegan applied for the course under the safefood Training and Mobility Programme; safefood sponsored 50 percent of the course fees and all travel & subsistence.
Back to Training and Mobility page