December is just beginning, but I am already thinking about my New Year's resolution, eating better and exercising more. For many, nutrition is the first step in improving health and the new trend of increasing protein in the diet may be a good starting point. Proteins are a hot commodity in the health food industry and are commonly used as supplements in meals, milkshakes and powders to increase calorie intake to meet a variety of nutritional needs. Protein measurement is not only necessary as a nutrient element, but also as a diagnostic tool in the pharmaceutical industry. Purified protein derivatives (PPDs) are commonly used to detect tuberculosis (TB) and require accurate measurements for correct application and use.