Analytical Chemistry

The Department of Analytical Chemistry has conducted high-quality chemical analysis since 1875 and organizes its service and research activities into two primary focus areas: Food Safety and Environmental Monitoring. The service component of the Department’s work includes the analysis of samples submitted by Connecticut state agencies as well as federal partners, including the Department of Consumer Protection (food and cannabis divisions), Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Department is a longstanding participant in the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), a nationally integrated laboratory system that links federal, state, and local laboratories to enhance preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience for biological, chemical, or radiological contamination events affecting the food supply. The FERN network supports method development and validation, training, proficiency testing, surveillance, and surge capacity for emergency response, reinforcing a coordinated Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS) across jurisdictions.

In support of FDA’s strategic goal to build and sustain a nationally integrated laboratory science system, the Department is also funded under the FDA Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM) Cooperative Agreement Program. The LFFM program enhances the capacity and capabilities of state human and animal food testing laboratories through prioritized sample testing, food defense preparedness, method development, and capacity/capability development projects in chemistry, microbiology, and radiochemistry. Participating laboratories work collaboratively with FDA and other state partners to provide surveillance and analytical testing that supports both routine public health monitoring and emergency response, thereby strengthening the nation’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to food safety hazards.

The Department is also the state reference lab for chemical, and more recently the microbiological testing for the state adult use cannabis program.

The Department of Analytical Chemistry is currently accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), Certificate No. 4133.01, https://www.a2la.org/scopepdf/4133-01.pdf. The accredited scope encompasses chemical testing of food, animal feed, plant material, soil, and consumer products using validated analytical methods. Key accredited capabilities include, but are not limited to:

Multi-residue pesticide analysis in human and animal foods by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS
Elemental analysis including total arsenic and other trace metals by ICP-MS
PFAS analysis in soil and environmental matrices by LC-MS/MS
Mycotoxin analysis in animal feed and foods by LC-MS
Crude protein and crude fat determination in animal feed
Cannabinoid profiling (THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA) in foods, plant material, hemp, and consumer products by GC-FID, GC-MS, and HPLC-UV

The Department maintains documented quality systems, validated methods, and continuous analyst competency assessments in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements, ensuring analytical integrity and reliability in support of both routine and emergency response activities.

Research conducted in the Department focuses on elucidating the applications and implications of nanoscale materials in agriculture and the environment. Specific research includes the upcycling of biomass waste into nanoscale agrochemicals, including fertilizers and pesticides (insecticides, nematicides and herbicides); evaluating nanoscale agrochemicals on plants, and on nutrient management (environmental losses) abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, UV), and biotic stresses (diseases and insect pests); and understanding the impact of nanoscale materials on food safety such as preventing toxic elements and organic contaminants uptake in food crops.

Resources and Equipment in the CAES Department of Analytical Chemistry

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

Department of Analytical Chemistry
Johnson-Horsfall Laboratory
123 Huntington Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Fax: (203) 974-8502

Dimkpa, Christian (Chris) O.: Department Head
E-mail: Christian.Dimkpa@ct.gov
Voice: (203) 974-8523

Ahmad, Raees: Agricultural Post-Doctoral Research Scientist

Email: Raees.Ahmad@ct.gov

Voice: 203-974-8499

Aikpokpodion, Paul: Agricultural Post-Doctoral Research Scientist
E-mail: Paul.Aikpokpodion@ct.gov

Voice: (203) 974-8547

Ammirata, Michael A.: Agricultural Research Technician I

E-mail: Michael.Ammirata@ct.gov

Voice: (203) 974-8455