Metash B-500 Ultra-Micro UV-Vis Spectrophotometer

Overview

The Metash B-500 Ultra-Micro UV-Vis Spectrophotometer is a compact, benchtop optical instrument engineered for rapid, label-free quantification and spectral characterization of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) and proteins in microvolume samples. It operates on the principle of absorbance spectroscopy—measuring light attenuation at specific wavelengths (e.g., 260 nm for nucleic acids, 280 nm for proteins) using a fixed-pathlength (1 mm) microfluidic sample retention system. Unlike conventional cuvette-based spectrophotometers, the B-500 eliminates the need for disposable quartz cells or sample dilution by employing surface tension-mediated sample retention between two optical-grade quartz pedestals. This design enables reproducible measurements from just 1–2 µL of undiluted sample, minimizing material loss and reducing inter-sample carryover risk. The instrument integrates a long-life imported deuterium-tungsten dual-source lamp, ensuring stable output across the full 200–850 nm range without warm-up delay—a critical advantage for high-throughput laboratory workflows requiring immediate readiness.

Key Features

• Microvolume analysis with 1–2 µL sample requirement—ideal for precious or low-yield biological extracts
• No pre-warm-up required; achieves optical stability within seconds of power-on
• Dual-source illumination (deuterium for UV, tungsten-halogen for visible) ensures consistent spectral continuity
• Fixed 1 mm pathlength optics calibrated to NIST-traceable standards, delivering absorbance linearity from 0.02 to 300 AU (equivalent to 10 mm pathlength)
• High photometric precision: ±0.002 AU at 1 mm pathlength; ±2% accuracy at 257 nm (validated against certified reference standards)
• Stray light performance: ≤0.05% at 600 nm and <0.10% at 435 nm—meeting ISO 9001-compliant optical integrity requirements
• Integrated thermal management maintains detector and optical alignment stability across ambient temperatures (15–30 °C)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The B-500 supports direct quantification of double-stranded DNA (2–15,000 ng/µL), RNA (2–12,000 ng/µL), and proteins (0.1–100 mg/mL, BSA-equivalent, selectable at 200 nm or 400 nm for turbidity correction). Its microfluidic measurement interface accommodates viscous or particulate-containing lysates without clogging, provided samples are centrifuged prior to loading. The instrument complies with core regulatory expectations for analytical instrumentation used in QC/QA environments: data integrity safeguards align with ALCOA+ principles; software audit trails support GLP and GMP documentation requirements; and spectral calibration routines adhere to ASTM E275 and ISO 6222 protocols for UV-Vis photometric validation. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-the-box, its firmware architecture permits integration into validated laboratory information management systems (LIMS) via standard USB 2.0 or optional Ethernet interfaces.

Software & Data Management

The included Metash SpectraView™ software (v3.2+) provides intuitive control, real-time spectral visualization, and automated concentration calculation using user-defined extinction coefficients. Each measurement session captures full-spectrum scans (1 nm resolution) and stores ≥1,000 sample records locally with timestamp, operator ID, wavelength settings, and raw absorbance values. Data export formats include CSV, XML, and PDF reports compliant with internal SOP templates. Version-controlled firmware updates are delivered via secure HTTPS portal, and all software modules undergo annual revalidation per ISO/IEC 17025 clause 5.9. The software supports multi-user role-based access (administrator, analyst, reviewer), with configurable password policies and automatic log-off after 15 minutes of inactivity.

Applications

• Routine QC of PCR amplicons, plasmid preps, and NGS library fragments
• Concentration verification of CRISPR guide RNAs and synthetic oligonucleotides
• Quick assessment of protein purity (A260/A280, A280/A205 ratios) in affinity-purified eluates
• Monitoring enzymatic reaction kinetics via time-resolved absorbance at defined wavelengths
• Educational use in undergraduate biochemistry labs for teaching Beer-Lambert law fundamentals
• Supporting biomanufacturing process development where sample conservation is critical (e.g., early-stage mAb titration)

FAQ

Does the B-500 require daily recalibration?
No—factory calibration is retained for 12 months under normal operating conditions. Users perform a quick reference check using supplied quartz slide before each shift.
Can the instrument measure turbid or colored samples?
Yes, with optional 400 nm protein correction mode and built-in baseline subtraction algorithms that mitigate scattering effects.
Is third-party software integration supported?
Yes—SpectraView™ exposes RESTful API endpoints for LIMS and ELN interoperability (documentation available under NDA).
What maintenance is required beyond cleaning the optical pedestals?
Annual lamp intensity verification and detector dark-current profiling are recommended; both procedures are guided in the service manual.
How does the B-500 handle sample carryover between runs?
Each measurement uses a fresh air gap between the quartz surfaces; residual liquid is removed automatically via integrated vacuum purge and ethanol wipe protocol triggered post-read.