Carbohydrates and lignin content of biomass

During this biomass carbohydrate analysis, the sample is first hydrolyzed, after which the acid-insoluble fraction is filtered and monomeric sugars are analyzed with anion exchange liquid chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography, depending on the standard. Monomeric sugars included in the analysis are glucose, mannose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose. Results are given as anhydro-sugars and hydrolysis loss is not taken into account. The reporting unit is g/kg or % dry content.

Determination of the acid-insoluble and acid-soluble lignin content of biomass samples. A solid biomass sample is hydrolyzed, and the acid-insoluble residue is filtered out to determine the amount of Klason lignin. Acid-soluble lignin is determined from the hydrolysate using a UV-VIS-spectrophotometer. The lignin content is reported as wt-% of the initial sample on an oven-dry basis. To obtain a more comprehensive picture of sample composition, we also offer a compositional analysis of biomass, which includes a determination of carbohydrate composition in addition to lignin content.

This metal screening analysis includes the semi-quantitative determination of 70 elements. The method can be used, for example, to determine the background concentrations of metals in environmental samples or to study the elemental distribution of unknown samples. Screening is also often performed to assess which metals should be analyzed by a quantitative method. The measurement is performed using a high-resolution ICP-MS technique (ICP-SFMS), which can identify very low elemental concentrations. A semi-quantitative determination of the following elements is included: Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, Ir, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr. However, please note that some elements may not be determinable due to matrix interference. During this semi-quantitative analysis, the instrument is calibrated for about 30 elements. The rest of the analytes are quantified using sensitivity factors for calibrated elements with similar mass and first ionization potential, considering isotope abundances. Quantitative analysis is also available at an additional price. During this analysis, all elements are calibrated (excluding halogens and Os). Please ask for an offer for this service.

The Herzberg staining test by the ISO 9184-3 standard is used to determine the main fiber content of paper and board. In the test, a saturated solution of zinc chloride, iodine, and potassium iodide is used to color the paper. The solution affects fibers differently and enables the qualitative and quantitative analysis of mechanical, rag, chemical, and semi-chemical pulps, regenerated cellulose fibers, and synthetic fibers in paper and board.

Determination of the total organic fluorine (TOF) content in combustible materials using combustion ion chromatography (CIC). By default, TOF is analyzed as total fluorine (TF). If required, total inorganic fluorine (TIF) can be measured as well, and TOF calculated as the difference between TF and TIF. TOF analysis gives information about the total amount of organic fluorinated compounds. It can also be used to evaluate the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the material, even though individual PFAS compounds can't be analyzed with this method. The analysis is suitable for many different materials. Please describe the sample in detail when requesting an offer to help us prepare a quote quickly.

Gravimetric determination of extractives content in solid biomass. Non-volatile extractives soluble in organic solvents (acetone, n-heptane, ethanol) can be quantified. Other solvents can also be used upon request. The analysis can be performed according to standard ISO 14453 (acetone) or TAPPI T204 (other solvents). The extractives content is reported as %.

Determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of an organic sample. CHNS analysis (”LECO analysis”) is performed using a flash combustion method, where the sample is combusted under 25 kPa of O2 at an elevated temperature (1,000 °C), followed by gas chromatography separation and detection using a thermal conductivity detector. Oxygen is analyzed by reduction on granulated carbon at 1480 °C, utilizing high-temperature thermal decomposition and conversion of oxygen into carbon monoxide before gas chromatography separation and detection with a thermal conductivity detector. The sample can be either solid or liquid, but water in the sample affects the results. In the case of aqueous samples, it is possible to dry the sample before analysis. The displayed price includes the full CHNOS package with two parallel measurements and applies to conventional organic samples. The results are reported as wt-% of the initial sample. The addition of ash, drying, and dry loss measurements will increase the minimum required sample material to 300 mg. The analysis gives the total carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of the material, but it does not identify any chemical structures. The measurement can be combined with other methods, such as GC-MS, 1H, and 13C NMR, to perform substance structure identification. Analysis can be split into the following packages: CHN, O, and S.

Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS) analysis to determine the identity of an unknown polymer sample. During the measurement, the sample is instantaneously heated in an inert atmosphere or vacuum. This causes the sample to decompose into smaller molecular fragments which are then analyzed with GC-MS. Different types of polymers can be identified by their unique decomposition products. This includes, but is not limited to: PE, PP, PS, ABS, PMMA, PET, PC, PVC, polyamides, natural & synthetic rubbers, and more. The price includes the basic preparation and qualitative analysis of the sample. More extensive sample preparation pr quantitative analyses are subject to additional costs.

This analysis provides quantitative information about the crystalline and amorphous phases within your sample using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD). A standard analysis includes: Quantification of crystalline phases as weight percentages, Quantification of the total amorphous content, High-resolution powder diffraction data and the resulting diffractogram, A comprehensive test report detailing the findings. For more advanced needs, we also offer total scattering/pair distribution function (PDF) analysis to reveal the local atomic structure in amorphous or nano-structured materials. Do not hesitate to ask for a quote.

Our δ13C stable isotope analysis determines the ratio of 13C to 12C in a given sample material by a continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS). Results are expressed in per mille (‰) as the deviation of the isotope ratio from a standard reference material. We have more than 30 IAEA, USGS, and in-house isotopic standards available to accommodate a wide range of expected ratios. The price and turnaround time displayed apply to conventional sample matrices. The analysis is suitable for a wide range of sample materials, including, but not limited to, those listed in the table below. All of our stable isotope analyses are conducted at ISO 17025-accredited facilities. Please contact us using the form below to arrange testing on your samples.