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Food testing laboratories face growing pressure. Pesticide panels continue to expand, regulations evolve, and customers still expect fast turnaround times at a competitive cost.

Traditionally, labs have responded by creating customer-specific pesticide panels. While flexible, this approach increases method development, validation, training requirements, and operational complexity.

A more scalable strategy is to run a comprehensive pesticide panel and tailor the final report to each customer’s requirements. This allows laboratories to maintain a standardized workflow while remaining responsive to changing needs.

 

Build flexibility into your workflow

Pesticide testing requirements can change quickly due to new regulations, revised maximum residue limits, or emerging contaminants. Maintaining multiple customer-specific methods makes these changes difficult to manage.

A large-panel approach provides broader analytical coverage from the start, making it easier to add compounds and adapt to new requirements without rebuilding methods from scratch.

 

Large-panel testing made practical

Historically, large pesticide panels required significant method development effort. The technical note below demonstrates how automated compound optimization and accelerated MRM (aeMRM) can simplify the process by enabling rapid retention time determination across large numbers of transitions.

Read the technical note: Streamlining large-scale MRM database development through automated software tools and aeMRM on the novus V55 system

The benefit is not simply a larger database, but a faster and more efficient way to build and maintain comprehensive methods.

 

More throughput, fewer compromises

A second study evaluated more than 500 pesticides using a single-injection, polarity-switching method. Using aeMRM, retention times for over 700 pesticides and 1,411 transitions were established in a single injection.

The study also demonstrated that a 20-minute gradient delivered approximately 30% faster analysis while maintaining analytical performance.

For laboratories, this can mean:

• Increased sample throughput
• Larger panels without longer run times
• Faster turnaround during peak demand
• Greater confidence through additional confirmation transitions
• Improved robustness in routine workflows

Read the technical note: Maximising throughput with accelerated MRM on the novus V55 system

 

Speed is more than faster runs

The value of faster acquisition extends beyond shorter methods. Additional cycle time can be used to monitor more analytes, collect extra confirmation transitions, or widen scheduled MRM windows for greater method robustness.

This flexibility allows laboratories to balance throughput, analytical coverage, and data quality according to their business priorities.

 

What are laboratories looking for from the novus V55 system?

Since the launch of the SCIEX novus V55 system at ASMS 2026, sales teams across multiple regions have been discussing the platform with laboratories operating in different application areas. Although their workflows vary, the operational priorities raised in these discussions are remarkably consistent.

We asked Neil Devenport, SCIEX Senior Training Manager, Product Technical Sales, what he is hearing globally.

Neil, what are the main reasons laboratories are moving to the novus V55 system?

“Speed and throughput are the benefits that resonate most strongly with laboratories, particularly those handling high sample volumes. However, customers are looking beyond acquisition performance alone. They want systems that fit smoothly into existing workflows, make efficient use of laboratory space and resources, and support long-term operational goals. For many laboratories, the decision comes down to the combined impact of throughput, efficiency, workflow continuity and ease of implementation.”

 

Turn speed into a laboratory strategy

Future-proofing pesticide testing isn’t about creating more methods. It’s about building workflows that can adapt as requirements evolve.

For many laboratories, that means:

• Broad analytical coverage through large-panel methods
• Faster acquisition without sacrificing data quality
• Easier expansion as testing needs change
• Reporting flexibility without method redesign
• Converting saved cycle time into greater throughput and efficiency

As pesticide testing demands continue to grow, competitive advantage will come from a workflow that is faster, broader, and more adaptable.

Run the comprehensive method. Adapt the report. Be ready for what’s next.