Lipid Analysis and Characterization

To help research and development in a variety of industries, including the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries, BOC Sciences offers complete lipid analysis services. Fatty acid analysis, lipid oxidation analysis, lipid extraction and purification, and lipidomic analysis are a few of the lipid analysis services we offer. Our lipid analysis services are intended to characterize the lipid composition in detail and to identify and quantify the various lipid classes that are present in a sample.

What Can We Offer?

Examples of Lipids

With improvements in analytical methods including mass spectrometry, chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and imaging approaches, lipid analysis is still developing. These developments encourage the in-depth study and use of lipids by improving the sensitivity, accuracy, and throughput of lipid analysis. There are many types of lipids, of which the most widely used include fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, and glycolipids. For instance, phospholipids can be added to medication formulations to increase stability and enhance pharmacokinetic characteristics. They can act as excipients to improve drug permeability through biological barriers as well as solubility and dissolution. In addition, steroids are often used in the development of anti-inflammatory drugs, which work by reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune system.

Fig. 1. Lipid classification (Anal. Chem. 2018, 90: 4249-4257).

Our Lipid Analysis Services

BOC Sciences uses cutting-edge equipment and sophisticated analytical methods to guarantee precise and trustworthy results. To deliver accurate lipid analysis findings, our skilled team of scientists adheres to standardized procedures and quality control measures. We are able to efficiently process a large number of samples for high-throughput analysis. By allowing the collection of lipid profiles from several samples at once, this helps to save time and resources.

Thin Layer Chromatography

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a widely used technique in lipid analysis due to its simplicity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. It is particularly useful for the separation and identification of different lipid classes such as triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols in various biological samples. BOC Sciences offers TLC techniques specifically for lipid composition identification and fatty acid composition analysis. With our TLC systems, researchers can study the migration of lipids in various solvent systems. This technique enables the separation and visualization of the different lipid components present in a sample, enabling the identification and quantification of specific lipids.

Fatty Acid Analysis

Phospholipids are molecules composed of a glycerol backbone, two fatty acid chains, and a phosphate group. When phospholipids are hydrolyzed, the carboxyl groups (-COOH) of the released fatty acid chains are methylated to form fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Based on this, BOC Sciences constructed capillary gas chromatography/flame ionization detection (GC/FID) technology to support the identification and quantitative analysis of FAME. Our fatty acid analysis steps include sample preparation, fatty acid extraction, derivatization, and instrumentation for analysis. In addition to GC/FID methods, we also provide high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for the identification and quantification of fatty acids.

Oxidation Analysis

Lipid oxidation analysis is a technique used to measure the degree of oxidation of lipid samples. This assay typically involves adding a lipid sample to a reaction mixture containing a pro-oxidant such as a metal catalyst or a free-radical initiator. The reaction mixture is then incubated under controlled conditions, such as elevated temperature and exposure to light, to promote oxidation. During oxidation, lipid molecules chemically react to generate reactive oxygen species, such as peroxides and aldehydes, which can be measured using a variety of analytical techniques. BOC Sciences provides one-stop solutions for lipid oxidation analysis. Common methods we use to assess lipid oxidation include measurements of the formation of lipid hydroperoxides, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes, and volatile oxidation products, which provide an indication of the extent of lipid oxidation and can be used to assess the oxidative stability of lipid-containing products. In addition, we can also measure phospholipid oxidation by UV-Vis spectrophotometry.

Total Phosphorus Detection

Lipid total phosphorus determination refers to the determination of the amount of phosphorus present in lipid molecules. Measurement of total phosphorus in lipids can help assess lipid quality and purity in the food and pharmaceutical industries. At present, common methods for the determination of total phosphorus include acid hydrolysis and enzymatic methods. Lipids are hydrolyzed to inorganic phosphate by strong acids (such as sulfuric acid or perchloric acid) or enzymes (such as acid phosphatase or alkaline phosphatase), and the released phosphate ions are quantified using colorimetric or spectrophotometric techniques. BOC Sciences' total lipid phosphorus testing service is performed by a team of experienced scientists. We have expertise in lipid analysis and phosphorus quantification, and this service is performed in a state-of-the-art laboratory with cutting-edge instrumentation and equipment to ensure accurate and reliable results.

Lipid Extraction

Lipid extraction technology refers to the process of extracting lipids from various sources such as plants, animals or microorganisms. Various methods are used for lipid extraction, including solvent extraction, mechanical compression, and supercritical fluid extraction. In the pharmaceutical industry, lipids are extracted for the production of lipid-based drug delivery systems such as liposomes or lipid nanoparticles. BOC Sciences provides comprehensive lipid extraction services to assist researchers in the isolation of lipids from a variety of biological samples, including tissues, cells, plasma, serum, and other biological matrices. We employ state-of-the-art technology and equipment to ensure high-quality lipid extraction while minimizing sample loss and contamination.

Lipid Analysis We Support

BOC Sciences understands that each research program may have unique requirements. Therefore, we also offer customized lipid analysis solutions to meet specific needs. Whether it's the choice of lipid class, sample preparation technique, or analytical method, BOC Sciences offers flexibility to ensure optimal results. In addition, we can assist with experimental design, sample preparation, data interpretation, and provide valuable insights to optimize lipid analysis strategies.

Reference

1. Michal, H. et al. Lipidomic Analysis. Anal. Chem. 2018, 90: 4249-4257.