Laboratory of Natural Product Research

Laboratory of Natural Product Research was established in 2015 with purpose to concentrate on topics connected with use of natural products with high economic value. The aim of the Laboratory of Natural Product Research is to investigate natural product composition and potential to be used as valuable source of bioactive substances as well as in other economically beneficial fields. Equipment available in laboratory provides possibilities to analyze chemical composition using different extraction techniques and to identify substances even in small amounts.

In laboratory we do not only concentrate on research but also on cooperation with industry. We try to find new and in science-based solutions for their problems, such as organic waste byproducts further use.

We have worked on many projects that concentrate on extraction optimization for different products, such as forest berries, cultivated berries, Himalayan plants, medical plants, etc. In our facilities we can provide all stages for research of natural product composition analysis, both of their organic and inorganic composition.

Laboratory provides possibility to work on bachelor, master and PhD studies in the following topics:

• biologically active substances in mosses and lichen;
• surface active compounds in environment;
• sterols and fatty acids in plant extracts;
• pesticide composition in plants as safety level indicator;
• crude oil products in soil;
• polyaromatic carbohydrates in mosses and lichen;
• perfume analysis;
• preparation of extracts, separation and composition indication process optimization.

We work with samples from micro amounts to lab and preparative scale, as well as consult on development of production technology. We can analyse product chemical composition using physical chemistry methods, analyse environmental pollution, presence of toxic substances in soil and waste, as well as perform biological testing methods and analyse water samples. Analysis is performed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy methods. Different types of products can be analysed using existing methods – organic, non-organic liquid and solid materials.