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INRAE has 2 central laboratories in complementary domains:

• the Unit of Service and Research in Plant and environmental Analyses ( USRAVE) is the central laboratory for the analyses of plant .

• The analysis laboratory of the Soils is the central laboratory for the analyses of soils .

These 2 laboratories performed routine analysis and research in analytical chemistry applied to their respective fields of expertise. they work mainly for researchers.

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USRAVE is a laboratory of the French National Research Intititute for Agriculture, Food and the environnnement (INRAE). USRAVE is  INRAE reference unit for the analysis of mineral elements in plants. It performs: - numerous analyses for researchers, professional organisations (Chambers of Agriculture, Technical Institutes) and commercial companies, - analytical chemistry research in response to the needs of its partners and clients (very small sample sizes, trace and ultra-trace elements).

USRAVE works mainly on plants. The unit is capable of preparing and analysing all parts of a plant (fruits, stems, roots, leaves, needles, wood, bark, cells, wood flour), and all types of plants (trees, cereals, grasses, fruits and vegetables, etc.).

The tests performed by USRAVE concern the major elements essential to plant growth (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc.), trace elements (iron, copper, etc.) and also metallic trace elements with direct effects on the environment or health (cadmium, chrome, lead, mercury, etc.).

USRAVE has been accredited by the COFRAC (the French Committee for Accreditation) since 01/03/2007 (accreditation portal is available on the address http: // www.cofrac.fr/).

Accreditation is the recognition of the technical competence of the laboratory. To realize analyses, USRAVE uses the most recent techniques. Rigorous controls, use of reference samples, insure analysis quality. The traceability of the various operations inherent to the treatment of samples is followed by means of a LIMS (Laboratory information management system). USRAVE combines all the conditions to produce just and precise results.

The laboratory makes, furthermore, methodological research for example: development of methods of preparation of samples (it can mean answering the following question: how to analyze a lettuce with an equipment which knows how to treat only liquids?) or the development of innovative techniques of analysis allowing the analysis of very small samples (of the order of some milligrams). Always in the forefront of the research and of the technique, USRAVE improves ceaselessly its performances and the quality of its services in partnership with his customers.

Redactor: M.Barbaste