Handling difficult substances has become one of our specialties over the last 10 years
- Complicated chemicals that are for example insoluble in test water, hydrolytically instable, volatile, photosensitive, adsorptive, coloured, a complex or unspecified mixture (a UVCB substance), or highly toxic.
- Bioproducts: micro-organisms, macro-organisms, semiochemicals, natural products and plant-incorporated protectants.
Our solution:
1 Science is a stimulating challenge for us
- Our strong analytical focus makes us a good partner for complex molecules such as polymers, proteins, UVCBs, but also secondary metabolites associated with microorganisms.
- We have experts with more than 30 years’ experience in all of our departments, who have been involved in a large number of projects, as well as young scientists willing to deal with unusual studies.
- We are interested in working with the latest technology, developing new tests, and participating in the development of the guidelines.
2 Tailor-made studies. Our scientists are working closely with our customers
of our Efficacy bioproduct testing involves bespoke methodologies. The focus is no longer on the efficacy of a single product, but on an integrated programme that involves monitoring a range of parameters, variables and conditions
of our Environmental Fate studies require development of special extraction methods or specific traps and analysis for volatile degradation products, pre-conditioning of glassware.
of our Ecotoxicology studies require ad-hoc methodologies such as special procedures for preparation of dosing solutions, testing of water accommodated fractions, pre-conditioning of glassware or the use of inert materials.
of our Crop and Livestock Metabolism studies are performed on new active ingredients.
3 Integrated process between biology and analytics in the Ecotoxicology and Environmental Fate department
Ecotoxicology
Environmental Fate
Step 1
Set up of a suitable analytical method.
Step 1
Set up of a suitable analytical method.
Step 2
Pre-tests for difficult test substances once a sufficiently sensitive method is available.
For flow-through testing, solubility and stability testing followed by dosage trials in the flow-through system.
Step 2
For some specific studies extraction methods will be implemented. Use of specific anti-adsorbing materials such as Teflon tubes instead of plastic tubes is also a possibility if the test item adsorbs to plastic or glassware.
Step 3
Analytical method optimisation, e.g. increase of sensitivity for highly toxic compounds which are dosed in very low concentrations.
Step 3
Pre-tests for difficult test substances will be made to examine recovery rate and stability.
Step 4
The study itself: tailor-made set-up, development of a suitable application method involving e.g. slow stirring, filtration, or water…
Testing in a flow-through system is a solution if the test item is not stable under test conditions. It can even be used under a fume hood if the test item is very toxic and/or volatile.
Step 4
The study itself: tailor-made set-up, development of a suitable application method involving e.g. slow stirring, filtration, or water…
3 Integrated process between biology and analytics in the Ecotoxicology and Environmental Fate department
Ecotoxicology
Step 1
Set up of a suitable analytical method.
Step 2
Pre-tests for difficult test substances once a sufficiently sensitive method is available.
For flow-through testing, solubility and stability testing followed by dosage trials in the flow-through system.
Step 3
Analytical method optimisation, e.g. increase of sensitivity for highly toxic compounds which are dosed in very low concentrations.
Step 4
The study itself: tailor-made set-up, development of a suitable application method involving e.g. slow stirring, filtration, or water…
Testing in a flow-through system is a solution if the test item is not stable under test conditions. It can even be used under a fume hood if the test item is very toxic and/or volatile.
Environmental Fate
Step 1
Set up of a suitable analytical method.
Step 2
For some specific studies extraction methods will be implemented. Use of specific anti-adsorbing materials such as Teflon tubes instead of plastic tubes is also a possibility if the test item adsorbs to plastic or glassware.
Step 3
Pre-tests for difficult test substances will be made to examine recovery rate and stability.
Step 4
The study itself: tailor-made set-up, development of a suitable application method involving e.g. slow stirring, filtration, or water…
