Research
Our laboratory-based research program exists to answer questions that the industry has left open: how botanical alkaloids behave in extraction and storage, how their derivatives can be characterized with confidence, and how analytical methods can keep pace with a fast-moving material class. The work is hypothesis-driven, documented to the same standard as our client work, and designed so that its results can be reproduced.
Research areas
Alkaloid characterization. Building comprehensive analytical profiles of naturally occurring and semi-synthetic alkaloids: chromatographic behavior, mass spectrometric fragmentation, spectroscopic signatures, and isomer differentiation.
Extraction science. Quantitative studies of how solvent, temperature, time, and material preparation influence recovery, selectivity, and impurity profile, with an emphasis on lower-impact solvent systems and solvent recovery.
Stability and degradation. Forced-degradation and real-time studies to map degradation pathways, identify degradants, and define storage conditions that preserve material integrity.
Analytical method innovation. Faster, more selective, and more robust methods for potency, purity, and contaminant testing in complex botanical matrices, including approaches that reduce solvent use and run time.
Reference materials. Development and qualification of well-characterized reference standards to support consistent testing across the industry.
How we work
- Every study begins with a written protocol that defines the question, the design, the analytical methods, and the acceptance criteria
- Data are captured under the same quality system and data-integrity controls as client testing
- Results are reviewed independently before they are reported
- Findings are shared with sponsors in full, including negative results
Sponsored and collaborative research
We partner with ingredient companies, brand owners, and testing laboratories on sponsored studies and collaborative projects. Engagements can be structured as confidential sponsored research, co-funded studies with shared publication rights, or pre-competitive work intended for open publication.
Scope
Our research is analytical and process-focused. Studies involving regulated materials are conducted only where the work is lawful and appropriately licensed.