Analytical Chemistry
Don’t confuse yourself by thinking that analysis by high tech instruments are analytical chemistry.
Analytical chemistry is the science inventing and applying the concepts, principles, and strategies for measuring the characteristics of chemical systems. So, performing a routine samples using an instruments is known as analysis only.
Qualitative analysis
Identify what is present in the sample is known as qualitative analysis. Here the scope is only to find out the composition or the presence of absence of a target molecule. It does not deal with quantity.
Quantitative analysis
Measure the quantity of the molecules present in the sample. This is the most common and industrial requirement and knows as quantification.
Characterization analysis
Another important area of analytical chemistry, is the development of new methods for characterizing physical and chemical properties. Determination of chemical structure, equilibrium constant, particle size, and surface structure are examples of a characterization analysis.
Fundamental analysis
The purpose of qualitative, quantitative or characterization analysis is to solve a problem associated with a particular sample and is known as fundamental analysis. Extending and improving the theory on which an analytical method is based, studying and analytical method’s limitation, and designing and modifying existing analytical method are examples of fundamental studies in analytical chemistry.
LOQ - The term “Lower Limit of Quantitation” used to describe the lowest analytical level which can be measured confidently.
LOD - The term "Limit of Detection" used to describe the lowest analytical level which can be detected, but not necessarily quantified, under the stated conditions of the test.
Repeatability - Closeness of agreement between the results of successive measurements of the same measured carried out under the same conditions of measurement.
Linearity - Linearity is the ability of the assay to return values that are directly proportional to the concentration of the target pathogen or analyte in the sample.
Signal to noise ratio - Ratio of the signal of the component obtained from the instrument in terms of response (response may be in height, area, intensity, optical density, etc.) for a particular concentration and response of the base line in same unit of measurement.
Pre analytical - Process involves with samples before it use with instrument for qualitative or quantitative analysis. Sample verification to decide if it is fit for analysis as per method is normally considered in pre analytical step. Many people consider the sample preparation also in pre analytical but is not true. As sample preparation is one of the most important step in analysis with real samples. for the better understanding and clarity, I have included sample preparation in pre analytical section here.
Analytical - Process involves with samples for analysis.
Post analysis - Evaluation the authenticity of value obtained from a test comparing with other data obtained from different test or sample source, approval to release report and report release. Many more steps and measurement criteria involves n post analysis, depends on the quality policy of different laboratories.