Director Erminia Bianchino - PhD

Biogem Nutraceutics Laboratory responds to the renewed and growing interest in substances of natural origin capable of performing a beneficial function on the body.

One of the main objectives of the laboratory is to provide companies operating in the field of natural products with services aimed at developing new products (food supplements, nutraceuticals, bio-cosmetics) and at improving their quality, guaranteeing their safety and efficacy on a scientific basis.

Extraction of active molecules from natural sources

Thanks to the technology of the Naviglio Extractor®, the laboratory offers high-quality services in the extraction (cold extraction) from a wide range of natural matrices. The dynamic extractor is an innovative solid-liquid extraction technology that allows to process in a short time solid matrices containing extractable substances in either organic or non organic solvents and their mixture. The application of a well-established know-how allows to reduce time and ensures the high efficiency of the extraction process even at room temperature. Low-temperature extraction avoids thermal stress for thermolabile molecules, preserving the composition of the substances contained in medicinal plants, without inducing modifications of the active ingredients. 

Lyophilization of natural products

Lyophilization is a sophisticated technological process of under vacuum drying by sublimation, which allows the removal of water from an organic substance with the minimum possible deterioration of the structure and components of the substance itself.

The laboratory offers a complete lyophilization service that can be totally customized: from lyophilization of liquids reagents and vegetable extracts to a wide range of experimental solutions aimed at improving the final product.

Lyophilization of Snail Slime

Snail slime is processed through a unique lyophilization process (entirely developed in Biogem) that guarantees the total removal of the water component from the liquid slime, preserving the chemical integrity of the functional substances, of which this product is particularly rich. In addition to long and safe conservation, the lyophilization process allows the concentration of the active ingredients, a particularly favorable condition for the formulation of the final products (cosmetics or medical devices).

Chemical characterization of natural extracts

Through a multi-methodological approach, with the use of advanced analytical techniques (chromatographic techniques associated with mass spectrometry), it is possible to define the metabolic profile of relevant extracts, also assessing  the reproducibility of their chemical composition, in relation to the cultivation conditions of the species from which they are obtained, as well as determining both qualitatively and quantitatively the phytochemical markers. 

In vitro and in vivo preclinical studies on active ingredients of natural origin

The Biogem Test Facility has laboratories, operating units, and technologies making use of cellular and animal models (reported in scientific literature or customized) useful for identifying the nutraceutical properties and mechanisms of action of natural extracts and pure biomolecules.

Experimental activities

- Preparation of fluid extracts, mother tinctures, glycerin preparations, oleolites

- Extraction from natural matrices for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, animal husbandry and food sectors.

- Lyophilization

- Qualitative and quantitative analysis by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques

- Analysis of biological activity (in vitro and in vivo)

- Micronization by spray drying

Available equipment

• 6 Naviglio Extractor® (2L, 20L, and 40L)
• STELLAR® Laboratory Freeze Dryer (Millrock Technology)
• Rotavapor® R-300 (BÜCHI)
• Mini Spray-dryer B-290 (BÜCHI)
• HPLC / MS
• Plant Grinder (albrigi in herba)