They should identify any salts in a mixture (8)
I believe the answer is:
analysts
'they' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'should identify any salts in a mixture' is the wordplay.
'any salts' can be anagrammed to 'ANALYSTS'.
Though, I'm not clear how the anagram is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for analysts that I've seen before include "shrinks" , "psychiatrists" .)