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Environmental Services 

 

The University of Guelph, Laboratory Services, Agriculture & Food Laboratory (AFL) is customer service driven to provide accurate, timely, and useful environmental testing services for soil, wastewater, biosolid and vegetation samples. Standard services include both inorganic and organic analyses using a variety of test methods including chromatography based testing (i.e. GC and HPLC coupled to mass spectrometry) and non chromatographic based testing (i.e. ICP-MS).  We are committed to delivering the highest quality analytical data with integrity and strive to meet current and new demands of our clients.

Click below to learn more about our environmental testing services:

 

 Biosolids Utilization Package

This is a testing package in support of the land application Non Agricultural Source Material (NASM) to comply with the Environmental Protection Act and the Nutrient Management Act.

Total Kjeldahl N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Carbon (inorganic/organic), pH, electrical conductivity; ammonium acetate extractable K, Mg, Ca & Na; Dry matter; nitric/hydrochloric acid digestible As, Se, Co, Cr, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn; KCl extractable NH4-N & NO3-N

 

 

Environmental Metals

Our testing includes the identification and quantification of elements. Using proven and up-to-date instruments and techniques, environmental metal analysis is available for Soil, Manure and Waste samples using various trace level analytical techniques.

Elemental compounds detected include nitric/hydrochloric acid digestible As, Se, Co, Cr, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Zn.

 

 

Molecular Analyses

Applied Research

 

We are dedicated to keeping apprised of new and cost-effective molecular methodologies as they continue to advance rapidly. We have successfully developed, validated and implemented many molecular methodologies for both routine testing and analytical needs in research projects.

 

Automated DNA sequencing

  • ABI 3730 DNA Analyzer (sequencer)
  • Accurate, timely results
  • Long read (up to 1000 bases) on good quality DNA
  • Trouble-shooting and re-sequencing, as applicable
  • Primer design & synthesis
  • DNA isolation/purification as needed
  • Expert technical advice
  • Storage of templates and primers (3 months)
  • Editing and assembly as needed
  • Competitive pricing and volume discounts
  • Free common primers (30 in total)
  • Sequencing project packages (from cloning to data annotation)
  • Online ordering and data downloading (DNA Sequencing Page)

For more information contact: (519) 823-1268 ext. 57223 or sequence@uoguelph.ca.

 

DNA fingerprinting and fluorescent fragment analysis

DNA fingerprinting has a wide range of applications in agriculture and food sectors such as variety (or species) identification, variety (or species) identity preservation, genetic marker identification, microbial contamination tracing and pathogen-outbreak investigation. DNA fingerprinting is conducted in our lab on any biological materials using technologies including Microsatellite analysis, rep-PCR, RAPD, T-RFLP, MLVA, MLST and AFLP (for research), and more. We also provide services for fluorescent fragment analysis.

 

DNA isolation and banking

We routinely isolate DNA from all kinds of food, feed, water, environment, plants and animal blood, tissue, semen and fecal samples. We provide DNA extraction services not only for immediate use of DNA but also for DNA banking or long-term storage purposes.

 

Microbial (bacterium, yeast and fungus) species identification

We conduct routine identification of "unknown" microorganisms (bacterium, yeast and fungus) in pure cultures using DNA from the microorganisms. You will receive objective, reproducible and cost-effective results rapidly without relying on growth, biochemical reaction and prior knowledge of organism (e.g. Gram stain). Project packages for identifying the microbial community in a sample are available.

 

Water 

AFL is licensed to provide microbial testing for drinking waters under Ont. Reg 318/319 and Ont. Reg. 170 for E.coli/Total coliform and Heterotrophic Plate Count.

 

Water Chain of Custody Form

Practices for Collection and Handling of Water Samples

 

Contact Customer Service prior to filling out submission forms or sending samples.

 

 

Oligo synthesis

Custom nucleic acid oligos are synthesized using the ABI 3900 DNA Synthesizer. Oligo orders are on-line at the OLIGO page. The website will also help you to track (or manage) your orders. Primer design is available upon request. Modifications include (but not limited to) fluorescent labeling, inosine modified base, phosphorylation, terminal amine and biotinylation. Normal oligos are delivered or sent out the next business day for orders received before 3:00 PM. Delivery is free for University of Guelph and neighbouring customers. Volume discounts are available.

For more information contact: (519) 823-1268 ext. 57210 or oligo@uoguelph.ca.

 

PCR detection and molecular sub-typing of food/waterborne pathogens and probiotic bacteria

  • Salmonella
  • Shigella
  • E. coli O157:H7
  • Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC or VTEC)
  • Camplylobacter
  • Listeria
  • Cryptosporidium
  • Giardia
  • Legionella
  • Coxiella
  • Probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus thermophilus)  

If you have concerns about microbial contamination or pathogen-outbreak, our highly educated and dedicated scientists may provide the key to solving your food safety or environmental issues. Rest assured, we take your concerns seriously and will help you get the answers you need to keep your product moving quickly.

 

Real-time PCR

Quantitative real-time PCR is used to determine the percentage of a particular target DNA or RNA in a sample. Our technology platform is the ABI PrismTM 7500 FAST Sequence Detection System.

 

Sub-typing

 

 

Pesticide Residues

  

We can analyze virtually any food type (fresh or processed) for pesticide residues. We are currently able to analyze greater than 500 active ingredients using a broad range of multi-residue and single residue tests. Our tests methods primarily use mass spectrometry as the method of detection (either GC-MS or LC-MS/MS) with detection limits typically ranging from the part per trillion to low part per billion range.  We also have a broad range of other methods of detection available where required.
  

Please contact our Customer Service today at (519) 767-6299 or aflinfo@uoguelph.ca to find more about our pesticide testing services, and how we can meet your needs.

  

 

 

  

Water Analysis

NOTE: the following tests are NOT suitable for drinking water testing. Methods are for surface, agricultural and waste water samples. 

 

TKN Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
pH as received
E.C. Electrical Conductivity, as received
Total Organic carbon Includes total, organic and inorganic C
Total Carbon                                                Total C
Inorganic Carbon Inorganic C
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Solids > 1.5 micrometers
Total Solids Total solids after evaporation at 105°C
Phosphorus Direct colourimetric, total reactive phosphorus
Ammonium Dissolved NH4-N
Nitrate Dissolved NO2-N
Chloride Dissolved Cl
Dissolved Element Package K, Mg, Na, Ca, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe

 

Manure and Waste Analysis

Manure Package Total kjeldahl N, P & K, NH4 and percent dry matter in manures and other wastes.
Biosolids Utilization Guidelines Package Total kjeldahl N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Carbon( inorganic & organic), pH, EC; Ammonium acetate extractable K, Mg, Ca & Na; Dry Matter; nitric/hydrochloric Acid digestible As, Se, Co, Cr, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn; KCl extractable NH4-N & NO3-N.

TKN Total kjeldahl Nitrogen
Calcium Performed on wet sample (wet ash)
Magnesium Performed on wet sample (wet ash)
Potassium Performed on wet sample (wet ash)
Phosphorus Performed on wet sample (wet ash)
Sodium Performed on wet sample (wet ash)
Carbon Package Total, organic and inorganic C in solid or slurry samples (Combustion method).
Total Carbon (Leco) Total C in solid or slurry samples (Combustion method).
Dry Matter Dried at 105oC 
Loss on ignition Loss on ignition at 425oC 
Specific Gravity Ratio of masses of equal volumes of sludge and distilled water.
Manure Ammonium and Nitrate KCl extractable NH4-N and NO3-N.
Environmental Metals Nitric/hydrochloric Acid digestible As, Se, Co, Cr, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn.
pH (sat. paste) Standard saturated paste method.
E.C. Electrical Conductivity 2:1 method.

 

Microbiological tests are also offered for waste water and/or biosolids for: 

 

  • E. coli
  • Coliforms
  • Campylobacter
  • Giardia intestinalis

AFL is licensed to provide microbial testing for drinking waters under Ont. Reg 318/319 and Ont. Reg. 170 for E.coli/Total coliform and Heterotrophic Plate Count.

 

Water Chain of Custody Form

Practices for Collection and Handling of Water Samples

 

Contact Customer Service prior to filling out submission forms or sending samples for drinking water testing.