At Biqualys we built on your expertise, your experience and your research results. Especially the interaction between you and us generate insights, which guarantee an effective approach to getting tot the right results.
In our view there is little point in redoing your work, since you are the discipline expert anyway. Our added value comes from offering the latest scientific research, integrating multiple disciplines and significant experience in succesful execution of scientific projects. Our way of working has resulted in many long term relationships with satisfied clients. A few case studies:
- Unknown compound in River
- Identification of proteins in milk
- Research on secondary metabolites in humans
- NMR method for lycopene profiling
If you know your problem, we will find your solution.
Identification of unknown compounds in river
Last year at Eijsden in The Netherlands (next to Maastricht) a mixture of unknown compounds above was detected via the automated LC-UV system (SAMOS) of the Dutch Ministry of Transport and Water Management. These compounds had been detected in the past 5 years a couple of times, but could not be identified. We produced the desired results in 3 weeks.
The
project was initiated by taking 1H NMR measurements, which resulted in a few
preliminary conclusions regarding the presence of several aromatic groups,
some aldehydes and minor chloride-bindings. Subsequently 1D-1H NMR and HMBC
(1H-13C multiple bond correlation spectra) were executed which led to the
identification of several related compounds with resonances between 6.6 en
8 ppm (aromatic H’s), at 4.6-4.8 ppm (CH2OH) and at 3.8 ppm. After more
research all individual compounds could be identified, of which a number even
did not have a CAS- identifier yet (CAS = Chemical Abstracts Service).
The difficulty with the identification was that condensation and further chemical reactions of these phenol derivates led to new compounds. In turn additional methyl groups could react with these new compounds by condensation with formaldehyde.
Identification of proteins in milk
Mid
2008, a study started regarding the identification of proteins in milk from
cows. In scientific literature, 50-100 proteins are described for milk using
proteomics studies. With the UPLC-FTMS configuration at Biqualys, 250 different
proteins were provided in a two week period. It is expected that this number
will be doubled in future, as only one of two milk protein fractions was studied.
Although the additional number of proteins and the speed is remarkable, it also creates new opportunities for finding biomarkers and bio-active components to be used by feed-, food- and pharmaceutical companies. The added value for the industry can be found in the decrease of duration of the research and the impressive quality of the results.
As a follow up from this project, we are now engaged in a study regarding the relationship between feed and secondary metabolites in milk. This enables a farmer to better specify the feed, based on the health assessment of the individual animal, with less need for expensive animal studies.
Research on secondary metabolites in humans
A research organisation had performed a number of nutrition studies with healthy people and they were interested in understanding the differences and similarities in their metabolite profiles.
We performed NMR analysis of human urine to study the different secondary metabolites as a result from biotransformation routes. Subsequently a large number of metabolite profiles will be studied, as a first step towards a capability to support health claims of functional food ingredients.
Figure:
Metabolite profiling in human plasma: not all samples show identical peaks.
People respond differently to food components. Shown here is part of the 1H
NMR spectrum (2.4 – 2.6 ppm range).
NMR method for lycopene profiling
End
of 2008 the Dutch Liaison of Innovation in The Netherlands, Senter Novem,
granted a feasibility study for reliable quantification of different types
of lycopenes in a food matrix.
It appears that the current HPLC methods to quantify lycopenes result in inconsistent data. Especially the sample preparation and the time it takes to analyse the sample has an adverse effect on the results.
At Biqualys we are using high resolution NMR which require only a minimum of preparation efforts, leading to robust and stable results. Analysis shows that all the Z- and E- lycopenes can be detected in a single NMR spectrum.
We are working on similar methods for chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, glucosinolate, caseine, polyphenols, phospholipids, lipoproteins, etc.