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Metabolism

We investigate the fate and behaviour of your substance in Crops and Animals

The metabolism and elimination of a xenobiotic substance has a direct incidence on its potential to cause toxicity in an organism. The development of agrochemical, cosmetic or pharmaceutical products thus requires the knowledge of the metabolic characteristics of these substances.  We provide in vitro, crop, and livestock metabolism studies using radiolabelled (recommended) or unlabelled substances.

In vitro testing

We offer a battery of in vitro metabolism assays that are used at different stages of the development process and when experiments with human volunteers are not possible:

  • Metabolic stability determination
  • Metabolic profiling and metabolite identification
  • Comparative studies (cross-species comparisons between human and animals). 

Test Systems

Cell cultures (e.g., hepatocytes) and subcellular fractions (e.g., liver microsomes and S9 fractions) from human and different animal species used in pivotal safety studies (e.g. rat, mouse, rabbit and dog).

Crop and Animal

Metabolism studies determine the behaviour of a test substance and the nature of residues in crop plants and animals so our customers can evaluate dietary exposure and the potential impact of their product on humans and animals.

  • Metabolism in Primary and Rotational Crops: OECD 501, OECD 502, OPPTS 860.1300, OPPTS 860.1850, JMAFF 12-Nousan-8147.
  • Plant Uptake Factor (PUF) / Transpiration Stream Concentration Factor (TSCF) 
    The PUF / TSCF model parameters represent the proportion of chemical absorbed into the plant via the roots, and thus removed from the soil. Experimental determination of the amount of a compound taken up by the plant is more and more often required for the environmental risk assessment.
  • Bioaccumulation in Fish:  OECD 305
  • Metabolism in livestock: OECD 503, OCSPP 860.1300, OCSPP 860.1480, SANCO 11802/2010.

Livestock species

Cattle, sheep, goat, pig and hen.

Fish species

Rainbow Trout or Zebrafish.

Crop species

Our experience includes many types of crops, including but not limited to rice, maize, wheat, barley, potato, tomato, grapes, apple, sugar beet, soya bean, oilseed rape, as well as many leafy and root crops.

Skin Penetration

We also investigate absorption of active substances and other toxicologically relevant compounds through the skin. The dermal penetration study uses excised rat or human skin and delivers the most relevant, translational data to clearly assess your compound’s effect on skin.

  • Skin Absorption: OECD 428 in vitro method.

Human safety

These data can be compared with human data for risk assessment or between-species comparison requirements and utilized to design dermal ADME/toxicology studies

Related Services

Environmental
Fate
Analytical
Chemistry
Efficacy

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We look forward to your request or questions you may have regarding our services.