Biochemical Analysis Laboratory

Biochemical Analysis Laboratory analyzes plant materials, faeces, and soil for carbon and nitrogen content, as well as organic chemical compounds such as structural carbohydrates (neutral detergent fiber fractions – NDF, acid detergent fiber fractions – ADF, acid detergent lignin – ADL), crude protein in plant tissues and faeces, and soluble carbohydrates in plant tissues. The laboratory is equipped with a FlashSmart NC Soil elemental analyzer, an Antaris II DR Fourier Transform near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer, a GENESYS 30 VIS spectrophotometer, and other small laboratory equipment (analytical balance, 15000 rpm laboratory centrifuge, ionizer, biological sample homogenizers, a field freezer, a 3-liter dewar for sample transport in liquid nitrogen, etc.).

FlashSmart NC Soil elemental analyzer

• determination of carbon and nitrogen content in soil and biological samples
• apparatus suitable for analyzing solid, paste, and liquid samples
• mas plus automatic sample feeder with a 32-sample tray
• two furnaces with electronic temperature control up to 1100°C
• measurement range: 0.01% (100 ppm) – 100% for solids, from 15 ppm for liquids
• kit for analyzing TOC (total organic carbon) in solids

Antaris DR NIR Spectrometer

• analysis of solids in the form of powders, granules, and non-transmissive liquids
• rotator for inhomogeneous samples
• spectral range 12000-3800 cm^-1 (830-2630 nm)
• Michelson interferometer with dynamic adjustment (ensures measurement stability, eliminates the negative impact of external factors such as vibrations and temperature changes on the quality of the obtained spectrum)

GENESYS VIS spectrophotometer

• single-beam, scanning Vis spectrophotometer operating in the spectral range: 325-1100 nm
• spectrophotometer equipped with a 5″ color display, 800 x 480 pixel resolution, and a numeric keypad
• capable of operating in absorbance, transmittance, and intensity modes
• spectral measurement, quantitative analysis with calibration curves, OD600, and real-time measurement
• compatible with 1.5 ml polystyrene microcuvettes
• can be equipped with additional holders: for cylindrical and rectangular cuvettes with an optical path of 100 mm, for vials up to 25 mm in diameter and 15 cm in height, for 10 mm cuvettes with thermostatic control, and for thin films/filters
• fixed spectral resolution: 5 nm slit
• light source: halogen (tungsten) lamp
• Czerny-Turner monochromator, speed Automatic scanning up to 1,200 nm/min
• photometric range -3 to 3 Abs
• wavelength accuracy ±2 nm
• wavelength repeatability ±1 nm
• photometric accuracy ±0.002 Abs
• photometric repeatability ±0.002 Abs