Raw materials characterisation

Our raw materials characterisation capabilities 

It is often necessary to determine the physical and chemical properties of the raw bio-based materials used in a specific project at the start of the work.  This typically involves specific technologies that focus on particular properties, such as the range of chemical elements in a source of biomass or the amount of water present.

We have a range of capabilities to look at different feedstock properties including various types of chromatography, water analysis, oxidative stability, nucleic acid analysis and microscopy.  Using these technologies allows a detailed profile of physical and chemical properties to be generated that then determines the next steps in processing a particular type of bio-based raw material.

Raw materials characterisation

Agilent 2200 TapeStation nucleic acids system

Agilent 2200 TapeStation nucleic acids system

The 2200 TapeStation is ideal for the very rapid characterisation of DNA or RNA samples, including quality assessment, establishing DNA/RNA size ranges and quantification.

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Analytical equipment

Analytical equipment

We have a variety of analytical equipment available at the centre.

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Benchtop NMR analyser

Benchtop NMR analyser

The Benchtop NMR Analyser is based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and allows for fast, accurate, reproducible and solvent-free measurement of oil, fat and moisture in oil seeds, seed cake and foodstuffs.

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Gas chromatography

Gas chromatography

Gas chromatography (GC) is a flexible technique that allows separation and quantification of chemical substances found within a complex mixture.

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High performance liquid chromatography

High performance liquid chromatography

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is a flexible technique that allows separation and quantification of chemical substances found within a complex mixture.

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Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS)

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS)

The Agilent 7700x ICP-MS is capable of measuring metal and non-metal elements in concentrations of parts per trillion.

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Molecular analysis facilities

Molecular analysis facilities

We have established a set of molecular analysis labs to enable a variety of genetic analysis applications to be carried out.

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Microbiology facilities

Microbiology facilities

Our microbiology laboratory offers a range of equipment allowing users to safely handle, store and work with a variety of aerobic and anaerobic microbes, at ACDP hazard category II level.

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Oxidative stability analyser

Oxidative stability analyser

The Metrohm Rancimat helps us determine the oxidation stability of natural fats and oils. The instrument works on the principle of passing air through a test sample at an elevated temperature, causing accelerated aging of the sample.

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Water / liquid sample analysis

Water / liquid sample analysis

The Hache spectrophotometer offers a safe, easy and versatile system to measure various characteristics of liquid samples.

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