NMR, 500 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer equipped with Cryo-Probe (Bruker):
This equipment is of the highest level and excellent quality. It is dedicated to the analytical and/or structural study of molecules of biological, pharmaceutical, agro-food, and environmental interest. Specifically, it is used for the three-dimensional study of biomolecules, investigating the relationship between structure and biochemical, pharmacological, or toxicological activity. It can be used to study the metabolism of cells, cell cultures, or microorganisms in vitro, or to determine the geographical traceability of agro-food products through multivariate statistical analysis of NMR spectra. Due to the presence of the Cryo-Probe accessory, this instrument has greater sensitivity compared to standard NMR spectrometers, allowing for more precise analytical work. Consequently, in addition to qualitative analyses, quantitative analyses can be performed on organic samples (e.g., plant or fruit extracts, biological samples, agro-food products).
FESEM Σigma VP, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with X-ray Diffraction (EDX) and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) Detectors (Zeiss):
This instrument is of the highest level and excellent quality. It provides morphological surface analysis of samples or matrices in solid state (as is, dry, or frozen) using an electron beam as the source. The electron source is field emission, which enhances the intensity of the electron flow impacting the surface, achieving a resolution in the order of ten nanometers. The presence of the X-ray diffraction detector allows for semi-quantitative elemental analysis of samples and chemical mapping of elements. While its classical use is in material science, it is also crucial for analyzing atmospheric particulate matter previously collected on filters. In particular, it is the preferred tool for analyzing and identifying asbestos fibers dispersed in the atmosphere and for determining asbestos content in solid matrices (e.g., Eternit, soils, waste). The FESEM is also used in archaeology and cultural heritage fields, analyzing the morphology and chemical composition of paintings, artifacts, and/or objects. Additionally, through electron microscopy, it is possible to study the morphology and structure of various biological materials such as cell cultures, microorganisms, biological tissues, liposomes, and bone or dental materials.
HPLC/UHPLC, High/Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatograph Nexera X2 (Shimadzu):
This is a modern, high-level analytical instrument capable of separating mixtures of compounds and performing both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The Nexera combines both HPLC and UHPLC technologies, allowing for a broader range of applications in terms of flow rates and various separation columns that can be used. Its applications are diverse, extending from product development to quality verification. It finds numerous applications in the pharmaceutical, agro-food, and many other sectors where it is essential to separate and quantify impurities and trace substances as accurately and rapidly as possible. Specifically, our Nexera Method Scouting configuration can achieve up to 96 different combinations of mobile phases and columns, enabling rapid development of chromatographic analytical methods.
HPLC, High Performance Liquid Chromatograph ICS 3000 DIONEX (Thermofisher):
This is a highly significant instrument for separating mixtures of compounds and performing both qualitative and quantitative analysis. In particular, our configuration, which includes three different detectors, allows for extensive analytical applicability. Specifically, the ion suppression conductivity detector can analyze anions and cations present in water and food. Using the pulsed amperometric detector, it is possible to analyze and characterize a substantial amount of organic compounds, particularly carbohydrates, both monosaccharides and polysaccharides, with many applications in the agro-food sector. Additionally, with the UV-Vis detector, it finds extensive applications in reverse phase chromatography and dimensional chromatography. This chromatograph is an important tool in the biopharmaceutical sector and for dimensional studies of biopolymers (proteins).
DLS, Dynamic Light Scattering Zetasizer Nano ZS 90 (Malvern):
This is a high-quality, non-invasive technique that provides precise analysis of both surface charge and the size and distribution of nano and microparticles in solution. Specifically, DLS allows for the measurement of the hydrodynamic diameter of proteins or biomolecules in general, polymers, emulsions, microemulsions, micelles, liposomes, or colloids in general, nanoparticles, dendrimers, etc., dispersed or solubilized in a liquid. DLS also provides a size distribution (in cases where multiple populations are present), making it the technique of choice for detecting the presence of aggregates, even in infinitesimal proportions. It is particularly useful in the characterization of colloids and emulsions, pharmaceutical dispersions and emulsions, liposomes, and vesicles. It can also be used for the analysis of proteins and metallic nanoparticles. Beyond biological and pharmaceutical applications, it is also applicable in environmental fields, such as optimizing flocculant dosing in water treatment.
FT-IR, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer FTS 6000 (Bio Rad):
This is a highly sensitive and accurate instrument that provides rapid qualitative analysis of both liquid and solid samples, especially organic ones, by measuring molecular vibrations in the infrared frequency range. This technique allows for the study of reaction progress and, in particular, verifies the occurrence of synthesis reactions, the formation or breaking of chemical bonds. It is used to confirm the quality of materials, analyze archaeological artifacts and artworks, polymers, metals, plastic fibers, and textiles. Its application is also very important in the agri-food sector, for example, for the identification and characterization of plant extracts and for the classification of wine storage sediments. It can be used in environmental fields for the identification of organic pollutants in groundwater, industrial, and wastewater (e.g., pesticides, hydrocarbons, dyes, animal and vegetable fats) and/or to analyze soil to address environmental and health issues related to increased pollution levels. Additionally, infrared spectroscopy plays a crucial role in identifying asbestos in construction materials, soils, and waste.
UV-Vis Spectrophotometer Lambda 650 equipped with Integrating Sphere (Perkin Elmer):
This is a high-level and high-quality instrument capable of providing accurate, stable, and repeatable results. A rare feature of this spectrophotometer compared to standard UV-Vis models is the integrating sphere. This accessory, in combination with the UV/Vis spectrophotometer, can analyze solid samples. Thus, this instrument is capable of performing both quantitative and qualitative analysis of solids and liquids. It is used for photometric analysis of turbid, colloidal, transparent, and translucent samples. It is an important technique for ensuring quality and measurement in the development of products such as textiles, dyes, paper, and glass. It can also be applied in environmental and agri-food sectors by determining certain ions in water and foods, measuring colored pollutants in wastewater, and spectrophotometric analysis of olive oils. Additionally, it is used in pharmaceuticals and biology to determine the physicochemical properties of drugs and observe enzymatic kinetics. In fact, this spectrophotometer allows for the recording of absorbance as a function of time, enabling the monitoring of concentration changes during a chemical reaction in solution and calculating the reaction rate.
Axiovert 200 M Inverted Optical Microscope (Zeiss):
This is a high-quality inverted microscope. It can be used to observe living cells or organisms at the bottom of a large container (e.g., tissue cultures in a specialized flask) under natural conditions that are difficult to achieve with a standard slide used in a conventional microscope. This microscope is equipped with a phase contrast device necessary for observing cells maintained in culture without the use of dyes and fixatives. It finds application in the analysis of asbestos fibers dispersed in the atmosphere and materials containing asbestos. It is a tool that can be used for the quality control of materials. Additionally, it is also equipped with a mercury lamp for fluorescence analysis (e.g., Rhodamine).
AFM, NT-MDT Solver Pro Atomic Force Microscope:
This is a scanning probe microscope. In addition to acquiring the nanometric topography of the sample, it can simultaneously measure various local properties at high resolution, such as the sample’s stiffness or roughness.
TGA, Thermogravimetry (TA Instruments):
This is an instrument that performs thermogravimetric analysis. It is an experimental technique used for characterizing materials within the broader field of thermal analysis. The technique involves continuously measuring the change in mass of a material sample as a function of time (isothermal) or temperature (heating/cooling ramp) under controlled, inert atmospheric conditions. This technique has a wide range of applications across various sectors: from scientific research to quality control in manufacturing, water analysis, agro-food industries, and many others. It is extensively used to determine the durability and predict the useful life of a product, specifically to forecast a material’s lifespan due to thermal or thermal-oxidative aging.
