Markes International

Markes’ BioVOC-2™ breath sampler is a lightweight and simple-to-use device designed for non-invasive biological exposure monitoring of VOCs. Using a design pioneered by the UK Health & Safety Executive, BioVOC-2 collects the last 129 mL of expired breath for transfer to a sorbent tube, and subsequent analysis by thermal desorption. 

- Simple manual transfer of collected breath to industry-standard TD sorbent tube

- Non-invasive and easy to use, removing the need for medically qualified staff

- Collects the last portion of breath, largely alveolar air, which is the most reliable indicator of VOCs in the blood

- Can be used multiple times for one participant within a single sample sitting

- Disposable mouthpiece to avoid contact with the BioVOC-2 body

BioVOC-2 is for research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures

Read more: BioVOC-2 flyer

Kori-xr

Cryogen-free water management module for online and canister samples

Kori-xr™ is a module that efficiently removes humidity from canister or on-line samples acquired using Markes International’s UNITY-xr systems, without affecting analyte recovery. It’s ideal for laboratories needing to carry out on-line or canister analysis of humid air streams while avoiding the loss of polar species, oxygenates and monoterpenes that can occur with other approaches to water management.

Read more: Water management brochure

Starter kits

Markes offers a comprehensive range of starter kits – handy packages of tubes, traps, tools and accessories to get you up and running quickly. The range includes general-purpose kits for all UNITY-xr/TD100-xr models, specialist kits for environmental and material emissions applications, and convenient kits for specific instruments and accessories.

- Optimised for system and/or method setup: Providing the right tools for the job and saving time in the laboratory

- The most cost-effective approach to purchasing essential bundles of items

- Complement instrument shipping kits, to prevent duplication of parts

Column connectors

When connecting a TD transfer line insert to a GC column, a connector such as a single-use quick-seal capillary connector (QSCC) is required. These are suitable for most routine applications, and are commonly used at the point of install for Markes’ instruments. When working with an MS detector, the use of a SilTite™ mini‑union is recommended.

- QSCCs are easy-to-use, single-use connectors used to interface the transfer line insert provided by Markes to any standard GC column

- Mini-unions are re-usable, and should be used when working with an MS detector to achieve the required baseline

- A column-cutting tool ensures a clean square cut of the transfer line insert and column

Read more: Column connectors Instruction for use

Transfer line insert

The uncoated deactivated fused silica transfer line insert is used to connect a Markes’ TD instrument to a GC column, and allows rapid sample transfer from the TD focusing trap to the head of the GC capillary column for subsequent analysis.

- User-replaceable: ‘How-to’ video available with step-by-step instructions

- Should be checked and replaced regularly as part of a routine maintenance plan

- Included in relevant routine maintenance kits (RMKs), which contain sufficient spares for approximately 12 months of use, for an average user

Trays for autosampler

Markes’ automated TD instruments hold tubes capped with DiffLok caps in trays, both before and after analysis. Each tray houses up to ten tubes, and there are five or ten numbered trays in each autosampler (depending on the instrument). Trays can be removed from the autosampler and used for temporary storage, or for transporting tubes around the lab.

- Image on the outside of the tray indicates which direction to insert the tubes

- Numbered to aid with sequence setup

- Can be replaced if lost or damaged

HiSorb probes

HiSorb™ probes are designed for use with industry-standard sorbent tubes with the TD100-xr™ or used directly in the Centri automated sample extraction platform. HiSorb probes are able to sorptively extract VOCs and SVOCs from a range of sample types, including water-based solutions, emulsions and suspensions, as well as solids with both immersive and headspace sampling.

Read more: HiSorb sorptive extraction brochure

Gas sampling bags

Gas sampling bags are a popular method of capturing whole-air samples. Like canisters, they enable the analysis of VVOCs using on-line TD systems, that cannot be quantitatively retained on sorbent tubes.

Available in Tedlar and multi-layer foil:

- Tedlar bags are suitable for general-purpose VOC sampling.

- Multi-layer foil bags are suitable for sampling thermally labile and reactive compounds, such as volatile sulfur species.

Both bag types are available in 1, 2, 5 and 10 litre capacities.

Air Sampling Canisters

Air sampling canisters are used for the collection, storage, and analysis of the most volatile organic compounds, such as C2 hydrocarbons and freons. Canisters are available in stainless steel (TO-Can) and inert-coated stainless steel (SilcoCan), in volumes ranging from 1 to 15 L. These canisters are ideal for grab-sampling to determine the time-weighted average (TWA) of ambient air.

- Equipped with a three-port RAVE valve featuring a vacuum/pressure gauge (-30" Hg/60 psi).

- Supports US EPA Methods TO-14A/15.

- Compatible with Markes’ CIA Advantage-xr system.

Re-collect 10

Easily produce ten replicate samples for advanced quality control

Re-collect 10™ is a versatile, stand-alone, off-line sample replication system for TD–GC–MS, founded on the tried-and-tested re-collection technology that we originally pioneered for our thermal desorption instruments.

Re-collect 10 revolutionises quality control by enabling the reliable generation of up to ten replicates from a single original sample. This is particularly useful for unique events like biological processes, pollution incidents and food degradation, where the number of representative samples that can be collected is very limited. It is also useful for inter-lab studies, quality control, method development, and composite sample creation.

Read more: Re-collect 10 flyer

Barcode scanners for sorbent tubes

All Markes International’s thermal desorption tubes (sorbent tubes) are permanently labelled with a unique serial number in clear barcode and numerical format for identification and tracking purposes. To reliably read these barcodes, Markes supplies a tried-and-tested barcode scanner that reads from the curved surfaces of stainless steel, inert and glass tubes with ease. 

- Eliminates time-consuming manual data entry

- Reduces the risk of human error, which could result in misreporting

- Helps maintain sample integrity and keep track of samples

CapLok and TAGLok tools

CapLok is a two-part tool specifically designed to simplify the capping and uncapping of sorbent tubes. It is intended to be used in place of a pair of wrenches, to allow the tube to be gripped appropriately, allowing correct compression of long-term storage caps and prevent overtightening. When using Markes’ patented TubeTAG technology for tracking tubes, a TAGLok tool is needed in place of the CapLok tool.

- Ensures an effective seal is achieved between the ferrule in the long-term storage cap and the tube

- Prevents overtightening of caps, which can cause distortion of the tube ends and the PTFE ferrule within the cap

- Robust and simple to use

Read more: CapLok tool Instruction for use