CHARACTERISTICS

Zaidin Scientific Instrumentation Service is included within the Support Units of the Estación Experimental del Zaidín (EEZ). It is equipped with a High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) and Gas Cromatograph -Mass Spectrometer detector (GC-MS).

The aim of the service is mainly to provide scientific infrastructure for the EEZ researchers, offering them instrumental support and technical and scientific advice on experimental techniques.

Their main activities are the analysis of samples to obtaining meaningful analytical results, and the interpretation of the results.

 

Persone in charge: Lourdes Sánchez Moreno Collaborator of I+D+I e-mail: lourdes.sanchez EQUIPMENTS High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC), equipping with three detectors: Photodiode Array Detector (PDA), Fluorescence and Refractive Index. Gas Cromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

TECHNIQUES



The Instrumentation Service is provided with the equipment necessary to carry out analysis of chromatographic type. The chromatographic techniques offer the possibility of separation, identification and quantification of very diverse compounds.



High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is, within the chromatographic techniques, the most used due to its versatility and ample field of application. The process of chromatographic separation can be defined as the interaction of the analyte between a stationary and a liquid phase. A mixture containing the compounds to be separated is injected in a packed column through which it is forced a mobile phase impelled by a high pressure pump. Within the column, the mixture is separated in its components based on its interaction between the two phases. The technique is used for separation of polar, thermally unstable or low volatility compounds.



APPLICATIONS

The field of applications of this technique is very wide. Some of the applications are enumerated bellow:

• Pharmaceutical products: antibiotics, sedatives, steroids, analgesic, etc.
• Biochemical: amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, sugars, etc.
• Food products: artificial sweetener, antirust, additives, etc.
• Contaminants: pesticides, phenols, PCBs, PAHs, etc.

Gas Cromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), is an analytical technique in which chemical substances are separated, depending on their interactions and affinity with a mobile phase (gas) and a stationary phase (solid). Subsequently, the compounds are identified in a mass spectrometer detector. The detection technique is based on the different behaviour of the ions formed by different ionization techniques, when crossing electric and magnetic fields. The ions are separated and detected considering the relation m/z. Mass spectrometry has applications for detection and characterization of volatile and semivolatile compounds

Given the high selectivity and sensitivity of this technique, the number of applications is very varied, especially for organic compounds. As an example we emphasize the following applications:

• Natural products: phenols, fatty acids, essential oils, etc.
• Drugs and their metabolites
• Environmental contaminants: pesticides, PAHs, PCBs, hydrocarbons, etc.
• Food additive determination: vitamins, preservatives, etc

OPERATION OF THE SERVICE

Analytical request
Samples must be accompanied by an application form that the user must fill up indicating as more complete information as possible (source, matrix, sample treatment, etc.) in order to obtain the best possible result.

Delivery of the results
Results will be delivered as soon as possible, depending on the duration and characteristics of the analysis. They could be given in person, or electronic format.

PRICE LISTS

The price will be different according to the origin of the request:

These prices will be charged with VAT, except for internal EEZ users.