ECU Biochemical Synthesis and Analysis Core Facility
Mass Spectrometry
The ECU chemical synthesis and analysis core facility provides small and large molecule mass spectroscopy, and trace metal analysis. It also aims to provide method development, method validation, with high quality analysis in a timely manner for both campus and other research organizations. Our core facility also provides synthesis facility and consultation for organic and inorganic molecules synthesis.
Applications: Quantitative and qualitative liquid chromatography separation, mass spectroscopy analysis, molecular formula determination, method development and method validation for nitrosamine impurities of APIs, formulation, and stability samples. It is also advantageous to determine the molecular composition, structure, and quantity of compounds within complex biological matrices.
Instrument resources: An Exion LC 100 high performance liquid chromatograph / Sciex 3200 Triple Quadrupole mass spectrometer.
Eligible users: Researchers at ECU and other academic institutions, industry, and commercial clients.
Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography
The ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography provides a clean separation of a difference constituent of a compound. In addition to separation, it is also capable of qualitative and quantitative analysis of markers, API impurities, formulation assay, content uniformity, and different known and unknown markers. Due to the smaller particle size of the stationary phase, it provides speedy analysis with selectivity and very high sensitivity.
Applications: It offers analysis of an herbal medicine containing more than one active ingredient, peptide mapping, formulation markers, stability impurity analysis, determination of pesticides in ground water, impurity profiling, method development and method validation.
Instrument resources: Waters Acquity H-Class Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography
Eligible users: ECU researchers as well as other academic and commercial investigators when viable.
HPLC with Charged Aerosol Detector
HPLC with CAD detector is commonly used when the molecules are not detected by traditional UV/Vis detector due to their lack of chromophore.
Applications: CAD is an uncomplicated and simple technique to use for molecules lacking chromophores and/or ionized poorly. Due to the universal detection capabilities of CAD the range of applications are very broad. It can detect small and large pharmaceuticals molecules, food and beverages, chemicals, environmental application across to polymers and lipids.
Instrument resources: Thermo Fisher Scientific Charged Aerosol Detector
Eligible users: ECU researchers and other academic and commercial investigators when feasible.
ICP-Mass Spectrometry
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a highly versatile analytical technique known for its exceptional sensitivity, accuracy, and precision. ICP-MS's ability to provide accurate and precise measurements of trace elements and isotopes makes it an invaluable tool in these and many other
scientific and industrial applications. Its versatility and sensitivity make it well-suited for addressing a wide range of analytical challenges across various disciplines.
Applications: ICP-MS is widely used to detect and quantify trace metals in environmental samples such as water, soil, sediments, and air. It is essential for monitoring heavy metal pollution and assessing environmental quality. It is used to analyze geological samples for elements like rare earth elements (REEs) and isotope ratios to determine radiometric dating, toxic metal exposure in biological and medical research, food safety testing and waste composition analysis.
Instrument resources: Agilent 7900 ICP-MS
Eligible users: ECU researchers and other academic and commercial investigators when feasible.
FTIR/Raman/NIR spectrometer
FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared), Raman (Raman Spectroscopy), and NIR (Near-Infrared) spectroscopy are powerful analytical techniques used to study the interaction of light with matter, particularly in the context of molecular vibrations and electronic transitions. Each of these techniques has its own unique applications and strengths. Each of these spectroscopic techniques relies on the interaction between light and matter to provide valuable information about the composition, structure, and properties of materials. They are employed across a wide range of industries, including chemistry, materials science, pharmaceuticals, environmental science, and biology, to support research, quality control, and product development.
Applications: Their applications includes chemical identification, material characterization, environmental analysis, biomedical applications, formulation analysis in pharmaceutical analysis, and quality analysis in food industry.
Instrument resources: Thermo Fisher Scientific Nicolet is50 FTIR/Raman/NIR spectrometer
Eligible users: ECU researchers and other academic and commercial investigators when feasible.
Thermal Analysis Microcalorimeter
Thermal Analysis Microcalorimeter is an advanced analytical instrument used for studying various thermal properties and processes of materials. It is a type of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) that measures the heat flow associated with physical and chemical changes in a sample as a function of temperature. The microcalorimeter is designed to provide high sensitivity and precision in thermal analysis.
Applications: TAM IV microcalorimeter is useful to determine phase transition, reaction kinetics, thermodynamic characterization, pharmaceutical quality control analysis, environmental studies and to investigate catalysis reaction studies.
Instrument resources: TA Instrument TAM IV Microcalorimeter
Eligible users: ECU researchers and other academic and commercial investigators when feasible.
Nano Differential Scanning Calorimeter
Nano DSC measures the heat flow associated with temperature-induced changes in a sample. It compares the heat flow into or out of the sample to a reference material as the temperature is varied. This technique allows for the characterization of phase transitions, chemical reactions, and other thermal events with high
sensitivity. It operates on the same principles as a conventional Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) but is designed to analyze very small sample sizes, making it suitable for applications where sample availability is limited or when studying nanoscale materials.
Applications: Nano DSC is often used to study the thermal denaturation of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. It can provide information about protein folding/unfolding, stability, and ligand binding. It also investigates the thermal behavior of nanoparticles, nanotubes and nanomaterials, catalysis at the nanoscale, and phase transition in nanoscale system.
Instrument resources: TA Instruments Nano Differential Scanning Calorimeter
Eligible users: ECU researchers and other academic and commercial investigators when feasible.
The ECU chemical synthesis and analysis core facility also includes a separate lab for acid digestion and related solution preparation in including chemical resistant hood (Science and Technology 443, approx. 200 sq ft) and a separate lab (BSL-2) for biological sample extraction and preparation (Science and Technology 453, approx. 400 sq ft).
Facilities are overseen by Dr. Jack Pender, Principal Research Scholar and Director of Pharmaceutical Training and Services and Dr. Ninad Doctor, Research Associate.