Methods

We offer comprehensive and global metabolite profiling and fingerprinting using GC-MS and accurate mass LC-MS/MS in parallel. Our leading metabolomics platform employs accurate mass, high-resolution mass spectrometry. This allows us to provide precise metabolite analysis. In addition, we perform stable isotope labelling, pathway elucidation, quantitative single compound analysis, bioinformatics and contract R&D. All our experiments are combined with a basic statistical package and on top we can provide extensive and state-of-the-art multivariate analysis.

 

Targeted metabolite profiling

Targeted analysis is used to detect a set of known metabolites, these can be very specifically a subset of metabolites or all known compounds present in our database. Here, we employ our systems for a targeted metabolite profiling or targeted compound analysis. Further we differentiate between different chemical classes, lipid, polar or aromatic compounds. 

We are currently measuring a wide range of compounds:

- Vitamins
- Carotenoids
- Flavonoids
- Glucosinolate Profiling
- Amino acids
- Organic acids
- Sugars
- Fatty acids
- Acyl-Carnitines
- Alkaloids

Comprehensive metabolite profiling

Allows the detection of compounds with known and unknown structure. Here, we provide non-targeted analysis of biological samples. Thus also making use of all the unidentified peaks in a sample. This can give new leads in metabolic changes in biological samples and could eventually lead to the identification of biomarker or the underlying mechanisms of phenotypes.

 

Lipidomics

The lipid composition of human samples proofs relevant to understand diseases and mode-of-action of bioactive ingredients (APIs). In plant and microorganisms it is important to study the lipidome to understand cellular processes and bioprocesses.

 

Central and Energy Metabolite Profiling

Absolute quantification of metabolites from central metabolism, nucleotides (e.g. ATP/ADP) and reduction equivalents (e.g. NADH, NADPH). More information

 

Flavour Profiling

Flavour profiling enables us to identify all components relevant for aroma and taste of samples. Our so-called Flavour Profiler™ platform provides information on relevant flavour components and off-flavours. It employs mathematical models to identify characteristic flavour metabolites for specific flavour attributes. The platform integrates sensorial profile data and macthes this with metabolites. In addition, this tool is a fantastic platform to screen for novel flavour metabolites. Read more

 

Aroma Profiling

The identification of aroma compounds contributing to flavour in natural food products, processed foods and beverages is crucial for success. We help our customers in defining the most important aroma compounds in their products and optimization of those.

Metabolite Fingerprinting

Metabolite Fingerprinting allows the fast discrimination of a set of samples. The technology allows a fast way of looking at metabolic differences and can be used to screen a large set of samples. The identified patterns or clusters can in the next step be further characterized, for example using the profiling platform with a subset of interesting samples.

Flux Analysis (Fluxomics)

Tracking and tracing the flux of metabolites thorugh metabolism  is done using stable isotopes, like 2H, 13C or 15N. Our stable isotope toolbox allows us to elucidate pathways, bottlenecks, side-routes and by-products. Read more