Metash V-5100 Single-Beam UV-Vis Spectrophotometer

Overview

The Metash V-5100 is a single-beam ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer engineered for routine quantitative and qualitative analysis in academic teaching laboratories, quality control environments, and small-scale industrial R&D settings. It operates on the principle of Beer-Lambert absorption spectroscopy, measuring the attenuation of monochromatic light as it passes through a sample solution at discrete wavelengths across the 320–1000 nm spectral range. Its optical architecture employs a fixed-grating monochromator with a plug-in tungsten-halogen lamp as the broadband source, enabling stable photometric performance in the visible and near-UV regions. Designed for operational simplicity and long-term reliability, the V-5100 integrates hardware-level wavelength self-calibration and automatic zeroing routines to minimize user-dependent drift and ensure repeatable absorbance measurements over extended use cycles.

Key Features

• Single-beam optical path with high-stability tungsten-halogen lamp and precision slit-based monochromator
• Selectably narrow spectral bandwidth (2 nm or 4 nm) optimized for resolution-versus-sensitivity trade-off in routine assays
• Integrated 128 × 64 dot-matrix LCD display with real-time absorbance/transmittance readout and menu navigation
• Onboard data management: stores up to 200 absorbance readings per session and retains 200 pre-defined calibration curves by numeric ID
• Two primary quantification modes: C-mode (multi-point standard curve generation with linear/non-linear regression support) and F-mode (user-input coefficient-based calculation)
• Automatic wavelength initialization and internal offset correction—no manual alignment required after lamp replacement
• Plug-and-play tungsten lamp module eliminates need for optical re-alignment during maintenance
• Dual data export capability: native USB 2.0 interface for PC connectivity and parallel port for direct thermal or dot-matrix printer output
• Non-volatile memory ensures full retention of calibration parameters and measurement history during power interruption

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The V-5100 accepts standard 10 mm pathlength cuvettes (glass, quartz, or plastic), supporting liquid-phase transmission measurements across aqueous, organic, and mildly corrosive matrices. Its photometric accuracy (±2 nm wavelength tolerance, ≤0.1% T stray light) meets the minimum requirements for method validation under ISO 6425 and ASTM E275 for basic UV-Vis instrumentation. While not certified for GLP or GMP-regulated production environments, its firmware supports audit-ready operation when paired with Metash’s optional QuantSoft software—enabling electronic signature capture, user access levels, and 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails for raw data and curve-fitting logs.

Software & Data Management

The instrument functions autonomously via front-panel controls but achieves enhanced functionality when connected to a Windows-based host computer using the optional QuantSoft application. This validated software package provides full spectral acquisition control, kinetic time-scan plotting, multi-wavelength ratio analysis, DNA/protein concentration calculation (using 260/280 nm A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ algorithms), and export of ASCII, CSV, or Excel-compatible datasets. All calibration curves and measurement records are timestamped and tagged with operator ID, satisfying traceability requirements for internal QC documentation. Data encryption and role-based permissions prevent unauthorized modification of stored methods.

Applications

• Quantitative determination of transition metal ions (e.g., Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cr⁶⁺) via complexometric colorimetry
• Enzyme kinetics monitoring (e.g., NADH/NADPH oxidation at 340 nm)
• Pharmaceutical excipient assay and dissolution profile verification
• Water quality testing (nitrate, phosphate, ammonia via colorimetric reagents)
• Food additive concentration (e.g., nitrites, sulfites) in compliance with AOAC Official Methods
• Teaching laboratory experiments covering Beer’s law validation, λ_max determination, and molar absorptivity calculation

FAQ

What is the maximum number of data points that can be stored internally without external software?
The V-5100 stores up to 200 individual absorbance/transmittance readings and retains 200 full calibration curves in non-volatile memory.
Does the instrument support wavelength scanning or only fixed-wavelength measurements?
It supports manual wavelength selection only—not continuous scanning; users set discrete wavelengths via keypad input.
Is quartz cuvette compatibility confirmed across the full 320–1000 nm range?
Yes, fused silica cuvettes are recommended for measurements below 350 nm; standard optical glass cuvettes are suitable from 350–1000 nm.
Can the USB interface be used for remote instrument control?
No—the USB port enables passive data export only; full command-and-control requires QuantSoft running on a connected PC.
What lamp lifetime is specified, and how is lamp replacement verified optically?
The tungsten-halogen lamp has a rated lifetime of ≥2,000 hours; post-replacement wavelength auto-calibration confirms spectral alignment without manual adjustment.