The Laboratory provides elemental analysis for a variety of samples, using either X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) for rapid, multi-element, non-destructive analysis of solids or Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) for high-accuracy quantitative determination in liquid samples or samples following dissolution. Complementary techniques may also be used depending on the application. The appropriate method is selected according to the sample type and the required level of accuracy.

Elemental analysis is based on the interaction of matter with electromagnetic radiation or on atomic and ionic phenomena that produce characteristic energy emission or absorption by chemical elements.

Molecular spectroscopic analysis is used to determine the chemical composition and molecular structure of organic and inorganic compounds in a wide range of materials. Its purpose is to identify functional groups and investigate the composition of complex materials, contributing to an understanding of the chemical processes associated with their formation, use, or alteration.

For this purpose, the Laboratory uses spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier-Transform Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-NIR) and Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis). FT-NIR is particularly suitable for organic materials and their qualitative characterisation, enabling rapid analysis with minimal or no preparation, including the analysis of solid samples. UV-Vis is used to determine compounds containing chromophoric groups, primarily in solution.

The Laboratory provides nitrogen determination services, measuring the nitrogen content of samples. Nitrogen is particularly important in assessing the chemical composition of organic materials. Nitrogen determination is widely used to estimate protein content, characterise biological and agricultural materials, and support quality-control applications for food and animal feed.

Analyses are performed using a fully automated Kjeldahl system, which provides high accuracy in quantitative determination and is suitable for a wide range of organic samples. The method is destructive because it requires complete chemical decomposition of the sample during digestion.

Analysis by the Kjeldahl method, one of the most reliable and established techniques for determining total nitrogen, involves the following stages:

The Laboratory provides organic compound analysis services for the determination, identification, and characterisation of organic constituents in a wide range of samples. The aim is to investigate the chemical composition and structure of organic compounds, supporting research applications, environmental studies, and quality-control procedures.

The analysis is based on the separation of organic compounds and their detection using highly sensitive spectrometric techniques. For this purpose, the Laboratory is equipped with an advanced Liquid Chromatography system coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Liquid chromatography (LC) separates the individual constituents of a sample, while tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) provides information on the molecular mass and structure of the compounds. The combination of LC-MS/MS enables the simultaneous detection of numerous compounds with high sensitivity and selectivity, even at trace levels.