BIOCHEMISTRY ANALYSIS

In Biochemistry Analysis, we currently provide four types of analysis:

1) Antioxidant analysis (DPPH and ABTS assay)

DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) free radical method is an antioxidant assay based on electron-transfer. This free radical, is reduced in the presence of an antioxidant molecule. ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) assay measures the relative ability of antioxidants to scavenge the ABTS generated in aqueous phase.

2) Total phenolic content (TPC) assay

TPC analysis is used to figure out the amount of phenolic content in the samples by using gallic acid standard.

3) Total flavanoid content (TFC) assay

TFC assay is used is for determination of the total flavonoid content of sample by using rutin as a standard. All these method using Elisa Reader as the instrument.

4) High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

HPLC is a technique in analytical chemistry used to separate, identify and quantify each component in a mixture. HPLC analysis services at ICA, UTM Pagoh offers you a state-of-the-art liquid separations platform that includes standard HPLC with frequently used separation mechanisms. The detector available in our lab are including Diode Array Detector (DAD), Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD) and Fluorescence.

We are capable to analyze:

• The phytochemical and active compound in plants
• Pharmaceutical product
• Vitamins in foods/drinks/product
• Cosmeceutical product
• Saccharides

We also provide custom services:

Method development and/or validation of analytical methods specific to your sample matrix, the active ingredient and desired instrumentation.

SOIL ANALYSIS

Our labs provide service to analyze the content of nutrient elements in soil and fertilizer samples through several analysis including:

• pH
• electro-conductivity
• moisture content
• Organic matter

The physical and chemical properties of soil samples are intended to characterize soil characteristics, soil fertility level and soil conservation practices. For the analysis of fertilizer samples is intended to evaluate the quality of the fertilizer based on the organic content and nutrient content of the fertilizer. Equipment that involved in service of analysis consist of pH meter, oven top drying, furnace and automatic digestion unit for analysis of nitrogen by Kjedahl method.

MICROBIOLOGY ANALYSIS

We are currently providing three types of microbe analysis in our lab including:

• Beneficial microbe analysis
• Antimicrobial analysis
• Yeast and mold

Beneficial microbe analysis is method of analyzing soil and fertilizer to estimate the types and numbers of bacteria present. In ICA, we provided analysis to detect the present of yeast and mold. We also provided antimicrobial analysis, an analysis to detect the antimicrobial activity, which can be defined as a collective term for all active agents which inhibit the growth of bacteria, prevent the formation of microbial colonies and may destroy microorganisms.

FOOD ANALYSIS

Currently we are providing two types of analysis in our lab including:

• Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
• Gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID)

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a technique used to obtain an infrared spectrum of absorption, emission, photoconductivity of a solid, liquid or gas. In ICA, we provide a service of analysis for identifying of functional groups which are structural units within organic compounds by using a flexible FTIR spectrometer. It is a powerful tool for functional group by comparing the spectrum data with the wide bands of reference chart.

Gas chromatography is a common type of chromatography used in analytical chemistry for separating and analyzing compounds that can be vaporized without decomposition. The detector that currently available in our lab is flame ionization detector (FID); a scientific instrument that measures analytes in a gas stream. Here in ICA, UTM Pagoh, we offer compound separations analysis that includes standard GC with frequently used separation mechanisms for extracted compound.

BIOREFINERY

In our Biorefinery Lab, we provide two main service including:

• Freeze drying
• Vacuum tray drying

For vacuum drying food products under vacuum and controlled heating, we provide a medium scale vacuum tray dryer. The maximum capacity is 96 trays (16” x 32” 1.25”) with temperature range of 50°C to 90°C.

We also provide freeze drying service for general food products using a pilot scale general purpose freeze drying equipment. Typical drying time of 24 hours for solid type samples, and 36 to 48 hours for liquid samples. Maximum shelf area of 9m² and a total drying capacity of 80kg in a 24-hour period. Freeze temperature is at -20°C and drying temperatures up to 70°C.