LGC Promochem introduces range of phytochemical reference standards
UK-based LGC Promochem, Europe's leading supplier of reference materials, has introduced a new range of phytochemical reference standards, manufactured by ChromaDex, the market leader in the creation and supply of nutraceutical and botanical reference standards.
UK-based LGC Promochem, Europe's leading supplier of reference materials, has introduced a new range of phytochemical reference standards, manufactured by ChromaDex, the market leader in the creation and supply of nutraceutical and botanical reference standards.
Demand for plant-derived phytomedicines is increasing and many of the plant extracts are imported from overseas, particularly the Far East. Quality is often variable depending on how the extraction step has been carried out. In addition, extracts from one part of a plant may have different chemical properties to those taken from another part of the plant: for example, compounds extracted from the root of the Ginseng plant have a much higher activity than those extracted from the leaves. Hence, a high quality assay of raw materials is vital in ensuring that quantities of active substances in the final phytomedical products are consistent, and that the products are efficacious.
As active phytochemical substances are often rare or difficult to extract, and are also mainly used in small quantities, ChromaDex sought to develop a system for delivering standards more economically to a wider group of users. For this it turned to Cerilliant, the founder of the Snap-n-Shoot system of standards delivery. The two companies' collaboration has led to the production of a range of Snap-n-Shoot ampoules of 0.01mg phytochemical reference standards in solution, offering reduced preparation time and increased testing consistency.
The ampoules are sealed, making the materials virtually contamination-proof. Sealing under argon reduces the risk of degradation of air or moisture sensitive materials, while changes in concentration due to solvent evaporation are eliminated even if the ampoule is stored for an extended period. The ampoules are silanised to minimise any interaction between the material and active sites on the glass, which is amber-coloured to prevent photodegradation of light-sensitive materials.