NEPHELOstar Plus- Laser-Based Microplate Nephelometer for Measuring Light-Scattering and Turbidity Measurements

Nephelometry; Light-Scattering; Turbidity Measurements

The NEPHELOstar Plus microplate nephelometer detects insoluble particles in liquid samples by measuring forward scattered light. It uses a laser beam that is directed through the solution and it can detect the scattered light at angles of up to 80 degrees. The NEPHELOstar Plus can be up to thirty times more sensitive than traditional transmission readers that measure the reduction in direct light passing through a sample well via optical density.

The intensity and beam diameter of the laser light can be adjusted in the easy to use software, and this allows measurement of light scatter in colored or turbid solutions. In addition, the flexible beam diameter allows measurement in 6 - 384-well microplate format. Temperature-regulated heating plates above and below the entire plate movement area provide uniform incubation up to 45°C. These features, along with BMG LABTECH´s Digital Photon Integration (DPI) technology and a detection angle of 80°, ensure that the NEPHELOstar Plus nephelometer is approximately thirty times more sensitive than conventional transmission readers.

Developed to meet high-throughput demands, this microplate-based nephelometer is faster than conventional solubility detection methods with the highest possible sensitivity and flexibility.

The measurement of turbidity, which is the haziness or cloudiness of a fluid that sometimes cannot been seen by the naked eye, can be used to determine the amount of insoluble particles in a solution. Amongst the life science applications that can use turbidity measurements include: drug compound solubility, bacterial or fungal growth studies, immunoprecipitations, protein aggregation, antibody-antigen interaction, and polymerization monitoring.

Turbidity measurements can also be performed with a nephelometric instrument that measures light-scattering, such as the NEPHELOstar Plus from BMG LABTECH. This instrument uses a diode laser that passes light through each sample. If there are insoluble particles in the solution, the laser light will be scattered by the particles. Similar to absorbance measurements, the amount of scattered light is directly proportional to the amount of particles in solution. However, light-scattering measurements do not suffer from the same upper limitation as absorbance measurements, thereby providing a wider dynamic range for turbidity measurements.

Self-monitoring laser diode

The light source is a red laser with a wavelength range of 635 nm. A laser diode has the advantage of higher stability than other light sources which gives better precision. The laser intensity can be adjusted via the software.

Variable laser beam width

An exclusive feature of the NEPHELOstar Plus is the ability to adjust laser beam width. With a narrow beam width, liquid surface properties (such as meniscus effects from DMSO) are minimized.

Reads up to 384-well plate formats

The NEPHELOstar Plus is the only microplate nephelometer with the ability to read 384-well plates with excellent sensitivity. Use less sample and produce more data per plate.

Full-cone angle detection system

With the most advanced detection system, the NEPHELOstar Plus nephelometer can integrate the largest scattering angle, up to 80°.

Stacker and Robot Compatibility

The NEPHELOstar Plus can be incorporated into a wide array of robotic systems via ActiveX or DDE interface. For rapid mid-throughput plate handling, BMG LABTECH offers the 50 plate Stacker with an integrated barcode reader.

Atmospheric Control Unit (ACU) Regulates CO₂ and O₂

A new accessory to the NEPHELOstar Plus is the Atmospheric Control Unit (ACU). This accessory is perfect for cell growth assays where the atmospheric gases, CO₂ and O₂, need to be regulated. In addition to optimizing cellular growth conditions, biological conditions such as hypoxia can be induced to see what effect there is on cell growth.

MARS Software Package

The NEPHELOstar Plus comes with BMG LABTECH's established Reader Control Software and comprehensive Data Analysis Software, MARS. The highly intuitive software provides limitless possibilities for test set up where it is needed, but also offers a "Quick-Start" mode for running routine analysis with just 3 mouse clicks. In MARS, a Wizard guides the user through the entire data analysing process. Additionally, a Template Manager can be used for building complex data processing protocols. Improved robotic integration capabilities complete this software package.

NEPHELOstar Plus applications include:

• Determination of compound solubility (AN133, AN117, 5.121si, 5.115)


• Microbial growth kinetics monitoring (AN174, AN125, 5.122, 5.112)


• Precipitation and polymerization monitoring

Flexibility and performance of the NEPHELOstar Plus nephelometer allow more applications to be adaped to microplate-based laser nephelometry than ever before.

For BMG LABTECH application notes that can be performed on the NEPHELOstar Plus nephelometer, please click here.

Detection Modes	Nephelometry; Light Scattering
Measurement Modes	Endpoint and Kinetic measurements
Microplate Formats	Up to 384-well plates
Microplate Carrier	Robot compatible
Light Sources	Self-monitoring Laser diode Wavelength 635±10 nm Stability <0.2% deviation Lifetime 20,000 hours Output: 1 mW Selectable beam width: 1.5 to 3.5 mm Selectable Intensity 0-100% Scattering angle: Detects up to 80° full cone angle
Detectors	Side window photodiode detector
Sensitivity*	Depends on particle size and liquid properties Silica detection (particle size 0.5 to 10 µm) 800 nM Dynamic Range: 5 decades Maximum count rate (2,000,000 Relative Nephelometry Units (RNUs) per second)
Read Times	Depend on assay conditions and liquid surface stability 16 s (96), 47 s (384) (shortest possible times)
Reagent Injection	Up to 2 built-in reagent injectors Injection at measurement position (6 to 384-well) Individual injection volumes for each well (3 to 500 µL) Variable injection speed up to 420 µL / s Up to four injection events per well Reagent back flushing
Shaking	Linear, orbital, and double-orbital with user-definable time and speed
Purge Gas Vent	System to inject an atmosphere or to pull a vacuum into the reader
Incubation	+4°C above ambient up to 45°C
Software	Multi-user Reader Control and MARS Data Analysis Software included, FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant
Dimensions	Width: 44 cm, depth: 48 cm, height: 32 cm; weight: 25 kg
Accessories	Optional Accessories
Atmospheric Control Unit (ACU)	Oxygen Regulation: 1 - 19% using nitrogen to purge. Carbon Dioxide Regulation: 0 - 20% using 100% moisture free carbon dioxide to purge. Dimensions (ACU only): Width: 44 cm, height: 17 cm and depth: 19 cm; Weight: 5 kg
Stacker	Magazines for up to 50 plates - continuous loading feature
THERMOstar	Microplate Incubator and Shaker
Upgrades	Upgrades to include options such as reagent injectors, etc. are available. Please contact your local representative for more information.

Not all of the features mentioned above are available in the basic units or in all detection modes. Optional accessories may be necessary to perform certain assays. Please contact your local distributor for details.

Additional Accessories:
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Additional Links: Applications Compatibility BMG LABTECH Software

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