Shimadzu UV-2550 Used Double-Beam Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometer
| Brand | Shimadzu |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Model | UV-2550 |
| Optical System | Double-beam |
| Detector Type | Photodiode Array (PDA) |
| Wavelength Range | 190–1100 nm |
| Wavelength Accuracy | ±1.0 nm |
| Spectral Bandwidth | 2 nm |
| Stray Light | ≤0.05 % |
| Automation Level | Automatic Wavelength Scanning |
| Origin Category | Imported Instrument |
| Vendor Type | Authorized Distributor |
Overview
The Shimadzu UV-2550 is a high-performance, double-beam ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer engineered for precision absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance measurements across the spectral range of 190 to 1100 nm. Based on classical optical absorption spectroscopy principles—governed by the Beer–Lambert law—the instrument employs a stable deuterium lamp for the UV region and a tungsten-halogen lamp for the visible/NIR region, with automatic lamp switching ensuring seamless coverage. Its double-beam optical architecture continuously compensates for source intensity drift and environmental fluctuations by splitting the light path into sample and reference channels, thereby delivering high reproducibility and long-term baseline stability essential for quantitative analysis in regulated environments.
Key Features
- Double-beam optical design with real-time background correction, minimizing photometric error during extended measurement sequences.
- Photodiode array (PDA) detector enabling rapid full-spectrum acquisition (190–1100 nm) without mechanical scanning—ideal for kinetic studies and multi-component quantification.
- Narrow 2 nm spectral bandwidth ensures adequate resolution for overlapping peaks in complex matrices, balancing sensitivity and selectivity per ICH Q2(R2) and USP guidance.
- Wavelength accuracy of ±1.0 nm meets ISO 9001 calibration traceability requirements and supports compliance with ASTM E275 and JIS K 0115 standards for spectrophotometric performance verification.
- Stray light level ≤0.05 % at 220 nm and 340 nm—critical for accurate low-transmittance measurements (e.g., highly concentrated samples or turbid suspensions) and adherence to FDA-recommended limits for pharmaceutical assay validation.
- Fully automated wavelength scanning and data acquisition, programmable via Shimadzu’s UVProbe software, supporting method storage, sequence execution, and audit-ready reporting.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The UV-2550 accommodates standard 10 mm pathlength quartz or fused silica cuvettes (for UV), as well as disposable plastic or glass cells for routine visible-range applications. It supports microvolume adapters (down to 1 µL), temperature-controlled cell holders (±0.1 °C), and integrating spheres for diffuse reflectance analysis. All hardware and firmware configurations are compatible with GLP/GMP workflows: UVProbe software provides user access control, electronic signatures, and full audit trails compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when deployed on validated Windows platforms. Instrument qualification documentation—including Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ) protocols—is available upon request to support laboratory accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025.
Software & Data Management
Controlled exclusively through Shimadzu UVProbe software (v3.x or later), the UV-2550 enables comprehensive spectral processing: baseline correction, peak identification, derivative spectroscopy, multi-wavelength quantitation, and kinetic curve fitting. Raw data are stored in native .spc format, exportable to CSV, ASCII, or JCAMP-DX for integration with LIMS or third-party chemometric tools (e.g., MATLAB, Unscrambler). The software supports method templates with embedded calibration curves, tolerance limits, and pass/fail logic—facilitating automated release testing in QC laboratories. Data integrity safeguards include timestamped metadata, version-controlled methods, and immutable raw-data archives.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical quality control: assay of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), dissolution testing, excipient compatibility screening per USP and EP 2.9.3.
- Environmental monitoring: quantification of nitrate, phosphate, COD, and heavy metal complexes (e.g., Cr(VI) as diphenylcarbazide complex) per EPA Methods 353.2 and 365.2.
- Food & beverage analysis: determination of antioxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid), colorants (e.g., tartrazine), and adulterants using multivariate calibration models.
- Academic and industrial research: enzyme kinetics (NADH/NADPH assays), DNA/RNA quantification (A260/A280 ratio), nanoparticle size estimation via surface plasmon resonance band analysis.
- Chemical synthesis monitoring: real-time tracking of reaction progress, isomerization, or degradation pathways through time-resolved spectral acquisition.
FAQ
Is the UV-2550 compliant with current regulatory data integrity requirements?
Yes—the instrument, when operated with UVProbe software on a validated system, supports ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate) and meets 21 CFR Part 11 technical controls for electronic records and signatures.
What maintenance is required prior to deployment?
All refurbished units undergo full optical alignment, lamp intensity verification, wavelength calibration against NIST-traceable holmium oxide and didymium filters, and PDA response uniformity testing; a Certificate of Reconditioning and Performance Verification is supplied.
Can the UV-2550 be integrated into an existing LIMS environment?
Yes—via ASCII/CSV export or optional Shimadzu LabSolutions Link interface, enabling bidirectional data exchange with major LIMS platforms including Thermo Fisher SampleManager and LabVantage.
Does the system support Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) audit readiness?
Yes—software configuration includes role-based permissions, audit trail review functionality, and electronic signature capability, fully aligned with Annex 11 and PIC/S GMP guidelines.
