Metash V-5100B Single-Beam UV-Vis Spectrophotometer

Overview

The Metash V-5100B is a precision-engineered single-beam ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer designed for routine quantitative and qualitative analysis in academic laboratories, quality control environments, and industrial R&D settings. Operating on the principle of Beer-Lambert law-based absorbance measurement, the instrument delivers reliable optical density readings across a broad spectral range from 320 nm to 1000 nm—covering the near-UV, visible, and near-infrared regions essential for dye analysis, enzyme kinetics, nucleic acid quantification, and pharmaceutical excipient characterization. Its single-beam architecture ensures mechanical simplicity and long-term optical stability, while motorized wavelength drive enables automated scanning and real-time spectral acquisition. The system employs a high-stability imported tungsten-halogen lamp as its broadband light source and utilizes a silicon photocell detector optimized for signal-to-noise performance within the specified range.

Key Features

• Motorized automatic wavelength scanning with built-in self-calibration and drift compensation algorithms, ensuring consistent wavelength positioning over extended operational cycles.
• 128×64 dot-matrix LCD display offering high-contrast, glare-resistant visualization of spectral data, measurement parameters, and menu navigation—designed for ergonomic readability under varied ambient lighting conditions.
• Dual spectral bandwidth selection (2 nm or 4 nm) allows users to balance resolution and signal intensity based on sample matrix complexity and regulatory requirements.
• Onboard data management supports storage of up to 200 absorbance/transmittance measurement records and 200 user-defined calibration curves, each accessible via numeric ID for traceable method recall.
• Two primary quantification modes: C-mode (calibration curve method) for multi-point standard curve generation and interpolation; F-mode (coefficient method) for direct application of linear or polynomial equations derived from prior validation studies.
• Non-volatile memory preserves all stored data and calibration settings during power interruption—critical for GLP-compliant workflows where audit trail integrity is mandatory.
• Integrated USB interface enables seamless transfer of spectral datasets, calibration logs, and report exports to external PCs; parallel printer port supports direct hardcopy output of spectra and concentration results without host software dependency.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The V-5100B accommodates standard 10 mm pathlength quartz or glass cuvettes (including matched pairs for baseline correction), as well as micro-volume adapters for limited-sample applications. It complies with core international standards relevant to photometric instrumentation, including ISO 9001 manufacturing controls and alignment with ASTM E275 and ISO 6059 methodologies for spectrophotometer performance verification. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant in standalone configuration, the optional Metash Quantitative Analysis Software provides electronic signature support, audit trail logging, and user access controls required for regulated environments operating under GMP or GLP frameworks.

Software & Data Management

The optional Metash Quantitative Analysis Suite extends the V-5100B’s functionality beyond basic absorbance measurement. It supports full-featured photometric analysis—including time-resolved kinetic profiling, multi-wavelength absorbance ratio calculations, and spectral overlay comparisons. For life science applications, the software implements established extinction coefficient algorithms for DNA (A₂₆₀) and protein (A₂₈₀/A₂₆₀) quantification per standard protocols (e.g., Bradford, Lowry, BCA). All generated reports include timestamped metadata, operator ID fields, instrument serial number, and version-controlled method parameters—facilitating traceability and regulatory submission readiness.

Applications

• Routine QC testing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients in compliance with USP and EP 2.2.25 monographs.
• Environmental water quality monitoring—e.g., nitrate, phosphate, and COD determination via colorimetric assays.
• Food and beverage analysis: caffeine, anthocyanin, and carotenoid content quantification.
• Academic teaching labs: fundamental spectroscopy experiments, Lambert-Beer law verification, and enzyme inhibition kinetics (e.g., β-galactosidase).
• Materials science: characterization of semiconductor nanoparticle suspensions and dye-sensitized solar cell precursor solutions.

FAQ

Does the V-5100B support wavelength scanning and spectrum acquisition?
Yes—it performs continuous wavelength scans across the 320–1000 nm range with selectable bandwidth (2 nm or 4 nm) and stores full spectral profiles in internal memory.
Is the instrument suitable for DNA/RNA quantification?
Yes—when used with the optional Quantitative Analysis Software, it calculates nucleic acid concentration using A₂₆₀ values and predefined extinction coefficients, adhering to standard molecular biology protocols.
Can calibration curves be exported or backed up externally?
Calibration data and measurement logs can be transferred via USB to a host PC for archival, statistical analysis, or integration into LIMS platforms.
What maintenance is required for long-term wavelength accuracy?
The system features automatic wavelength calibration at startup and periodic self-check routines; annual verification using NIST-traceable holmium oxide or didymium filters is recommended for ISO/IEC 17025 compliance.
Is the V-5100B compatible with third-party analysis software?
While optimized for Metash’s native suite, raw ASCII-formatted data exported via USB can be imported into common scientific platforms such as OriginLab, GraphPad Prism, or Python-based analysis pipelines.