Nuclear Magnetic Resonance & Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Table of contents

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance is an analytical chemistry technique used in quality control & research.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) can determine the content at the molecular level.
NMR spectroscopy is the study of molecules
- by recording the interaction of radiofrequency (Rf) electromagnetic radiations
- with the nuclei of molecules
- placed in a strong magnetic field.
Hence NMR can be used to determine the purity of a sample as well as its molecular structure.
The NMR test is not required for honey that is being marketed locally but is needed for export.

Electromagnetic Spectrum – Wikipedia

MRI is a medical imaging application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
MRI is used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body.
- Radiology: a medical discipline that uses medical imaging to diagnose & treat diseases.
- Imaging techniques in radiology: X-ray (ionizing radiation), ultrasound (no ionizing radiation – it uses sound waves and sonar technology), computed tomography (CT – 5 to 10 times more ionizing radiation than X-ray), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI – no ionizing radiation), etc.
MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of the organs in the body.
MRI does not involve X-rays or the use of ionizing radiation, which distinguishes it from CT.
Hence MRI is seen as a better choice than a CT scan.
Compared with CT scans, MRI scans typically take longer and are louder.
In addition, people with metal medical implants may be unable to undergo an MRI examination safely.
This is because of the strong magnetic fields employed by the MRI Scanner.

MRI scanners have giant electromagnets with field strengths of between 0.5 tesla and 1.5 tesla (1,500 times more powerful than a fridge magnet and 30,000X the geomagnetic field).
For reference, a fridge magnet is about 0.001 tesla, and the Earth’s magnetic field is 0.00005 tesla.

The human body is mostly water (hydrogen and oxygen), and when in the massive, stable magnetic field of the scanner, the hydrogen protons get aligned in the same direction.
A radiofrequency source is then switched on and off, repeatedly knocking the protons out of line and back into alignment.
Receivers pick up radio signals that the protons send out, and by combining these signals, the machine creates a detailed image of the body’s inside.
Because of the machine’s giant magnetic field, hospitals and diagnostic centers issue detailed guidelines to ensure no metal objects are brought close.

Accidents occur when metal objects are mistakenly brought close to the MRI Scanner.
When people stand in the way of a metal object and an MRI Scanner, they may be knocked out by the fast-moving metal object which is strongly attracted by the strong electromagnets of MRI Scanner.

According to researchers from the Centre for Science & Environment (CSE), major Indian brands are selling honey adulterated with a modified sugar from China.
Initially, sugars from corn, sugarcane, rice, & beetroot used to be added to honey to increase sweetness.
Such adulteration is detected by basic tests.
The modified ‘Chinese sugar’, however, can only be detected by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
NMR tests have very recently been made mandatory in India for honey that is meant for export.

Sugar-syrup honey was often available at half the price.
This is a big blow to beekeepers (the majority of them are in the North-East).

Pure honey has antimicrobial & anti-inflammatory properties.
Consuming adulterated honey leads to unintended sugar ingestion which leads to obesity.

A mechanism for traceability of the source of honey (blockchain technology can be used in this).
Develop advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) testing facilitates in India (the existing facilities are not sophisticated enough & can be tricked easily) & make NMR tests mandatory for the domestic market.
Stringent enforcement of quality standards & hefty penalties for violations.

India’s first honey testing lab was set up by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) at Anand (known as Milk Capital of India; Amul dairy is here), Gujarat.
The testing lab will unlock potential for apiarists to take advantage of exports to the US and Europe.
Till recently, the exporters were required to ship their samples to Germany for testing.
The development comes after National Bee Board’s decade-long wait for a government testing facility.
The new lab is the only accredited laboratory that can test honey samples as per FSSAI’s regulations.