The CAIS uses state-of-the-art instrumentation and processing to enable individual compound characterization. Gas Chromatographic and High Performance Liquid Chromatography are used for separation of compounds from complex mixtures prior to identification and quantitation.

Samples amenable to Gas Chromatographic separation such as flavors, beverage extracts, archaeological compounds of interest and marine derived compounds are measured by direct injection of compounds in suitable solvent. Those not amenable may be derivatized for easy vaporization and elution through the analytical column. For long chain hydrocarbons, non-volatile and those compounds not amenable to derivatization are separated using HPLC methods with suitable detectors for specific class of compounds.

The CAIS has a couple of mass spectrometers coupled to the gas chromatographs for direct determination of the structure and quantity using available libraries fir comparison. When target compounds.

Complex samples are first analyzed using GC/IRMS technique to ascertain purity of individual compounds relative to other compounds in the mixture and their individual isotopic value such as the δ13C value. Individual compounds are collected using a Gerstel preparative fraction collector while monitoring the peak collection efficiency on the GC’s FID detector. Individually collected compounds can then be assessed for purity and lack of fractionation during this processing by both GC/MS and GC/IRMS of the individual compound. Once confirmed, collected compounds are converted to graphite for analysis on a AMS instrument.

ANALYTICAL FEES

Natural Products Submission Form

The CAIS uses state-of-the-art instrumentation and processing to enable individual compound classification with applications ranging from food, flavor and beverage authentication, archaeological specificity and marine processes in the near-shore and coastal environments. The refinement of isotopic analysis from bulk samples to chemical class analysis such as total alkanes or lipids, to ramped pyrolysis methods or those compounds released at increasing temperature ranges, has lead to even greater refinement in individual compound analysis.

For many years the technique of gas chromatography has been married to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer for the compound specific measurement of their δ13C and δD values. In addition, though much less frequently, δ15N and δ18O values on individual compounds can be can assessed as well, such as for amino acids and other nitrogen and oxygen containing compounds.

The CAIS uses the Thermo 253 IRMS coupled to the latest Thermo GC and combustion interface along with a Thermo QSX mass spectrometer for structure identification and compound confirmation. Unknown materials can be sampled using direct GC injection in appropriate solvent, headspace sampling analysis and even solid phase extraction techniques. This capability allows a thorough characterization of the C, H, N or O isotopic composition of a range of organic molecules from a myriad of sources for process elucidation.

A further and extremely valued technique the CAIS offers is compound specific 14C via AMS measurement. Although a much larger sample volume is required for processing individual compounds relative to gas chromatographic techniques, a preparative GC or HPLC instrument can be applied to yield appropriate quantities of selected compounds for further processing.

Complex samples are first analyzed using GC/IRMS technique to ascertain purity of individual compounds relative to other compounds in the mixture and their individual isotopic value such as the δ13C value. Individual compounds are collected using a Gerstel preparative fraction collector while monitoring the peak collection efficiency on the GC’s FID detector. Individually collected compounds can then be assessed for purity and lack of fractionation during this processing by both GC/MS and GC/IRMS of the individual compound. Once confirmed, collected compounds are converted to graphite for analysis on a AMS instrument.

ANALYTICAL FEES

Natural Products Submission Form

ANALYTICAL SERVICES: HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN ISOTOPE TESTING

The CAIS has been instrumental in the development of hydrogen δD and oxygen δ18O stable isotope methods used for body water determinations, source water and geographic origin assessments and confirmation of natural process in manufacturing foods and flavors.

The CAIS determines the δD and δ18O of water samples using one of two methods certified through round robin testing. A Thermo IRMS coupled to a Thermo TCEA (Thermal conversion elemental analyzer) with measurement of the individual isotope pairs as hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO). And a Picarro Cavity Ring-down spectrometer for the simultaneous analysis of δD and δ18O as vaporized water. Both methods make use of international standard reference materials and secondary in-house suite of standard materials.

ANALYTICAL FEES

Natural Products Submission Form