Toxicology Laboratory
The Toxicology Laboratory is an accredited MS ISO/IEC 17025:2005 lab for chemical testing. The lab’s principal function is providing analytical and screening services to support internal research. It also performs commercial testing of chemicals, adulterants in foods, cosmetics, and traditional cure products. The lab also respond to request by government agencies and academic counterparts in the region to conduct tests on specific samples.
Besides routine testing, the lab also provides training attachment and internship to science undergraduates and working professionals. Short-term training on instrument applications and analytical methods are periodically organised for the benefit of laboratory technicians and research personnel.
The Toxicology Lab has successfully developed analytical methods to determine adulteration of sildenafil and its analogues in food products and the screening of Tetrodotoxins in puffer fish to determine the toxin level in the fish various species.
The Toxicology Lab clinched the Malaysia Chemistry Institute Excellent Laboratory Award in 2016 and 2017.
Routine Testing
When faced with:
- Chemicals/Drugs/Poisons/Metals
- Chemicals or adulterants in foods and drinks
- Chemicals in environmental samples
- Chemicals or adulterants in herbal preparations
- Chemicals or adulterants in pharmaceuticals
- Chemicals in cosmetics
- Chemicals or adulterants in other consumer products
- Detection of unknown substances
- Drug screening
- Corticosteroid screening
- Pesticide screening
- Heavy metal
- Nicotine and cotinine in urine
- Nicotine and cotinine in hair
Research and Educational Activities
Research collaborations with researches from USM, other higher educational institutions, research institutions, government and private agencies including NGO's are welcome.
Laboratory facilities for research, educational and training activities are available.
Training (lectures and practicals) on drugs related topics, chemicals, poison identifications and instrumentations, analytical method development and validations are regularly conducted.
Fields of Research/Studies
- Toxicology and Toxicovigilance
- Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacovigilance
- Phytochemistry
- Analytical method development and validation
Compounds Of Interest
- Tobacco
- Heavy metals
- Chemicals
- Pesticides
- Drugs
- Proteins
- Others
Instruments Available
- Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS)
- Liquid Chromatograph-Tandem Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS andLC- MS/MS)
- Gas Chromatograph-Nitrogen phosphorous/Flame lonisation Detectors (GC-NPD/FID)
- High Performance Liquid Chromatograph-Diode array detector (HPLC)
- Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS)
- UV-VIS Spectophotometer
- Mercury Analyser
- Gel Imager
