{"id":21291,"date":"2026-07-01T11:45:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T11:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pfi-germany.de\/?p=21291"},"modified":"2026-07-01T11:45:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T11:45:09","slug":"neues-analysengeraet-erweitert-forschungsmoeglichkeiten-in-der-biotechnologie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pfi-germany.de\/en\/neues-analysengeraet-erweitert-forschungsmoeglichkeiten-in-der-biotechnologie\/","title":{"rendered":"New analytical device expands research opportunities in biotechnology"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In June 2026, the time had come: the PFI\u2019s Biotechnology Department was able to expand its analytical portfolio with a powerful new technology. The successful commissioning of a single-quadrupole mass spectrometer from Shimadzu enabled the existing HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) system to be specifically upgraded and the range of analyses significantly expanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will open up new possibilities for research in the future, enabling scientists to investigate complex biotechnological processes in even greater detail and to identify substances that have hitherto been difficult to detect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Investment in modern research infrastructure<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The new analysis module was acquired as part of a research project through the funding programme INNO-KOM<\/strong> under the Investment Grant (IZ)<\/strong> scheme. The funding programme supports non-profit industrial research institutions in expanding their scientific and technical infrastructure. The aim is to strengthen research and innovation, particularly in structurally weak regions, and to promote the transfer of scientific findings to industry. The PFI has been using this programme successfully for many years. Numerous pieces of research equipment have been procured in this way and used in a wide variety of projects. The now-upgraded HPLC system was also funded via INNO-KOM back in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why modern analytics is so important<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Biotechnology research projects regularly generate large numbers of liquid samples that need to be analysed. These often contain a wide variety of different substances \u2013 such as sugars, organic acids or other metabolic products. A typical example is fermentation processes, in which valuable bio-based chemicals are produced from renewable raw materials such as wheat straw. In order to control such processes effectively, scientists must continuously monitor which substances are present and in what concentrations. Only in this way can yields be improved, processes optimised and undesirable by-products detected at an early stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The role of HPLC<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An HPLC system has been in use at the PFI for several years now for these tasks. High-performance liquid chromatography enables the separation, detection and quantification of constituents in liquid samples. The system has proved particularly effective in the analysis of sugars and organic acids. However, every analytical method eventually reaches its limits. Some relevant substances could not be detected, or only inadequately so, using the detector employed to date. For certain molecules, the system was, so to speak, \u2018blind\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More possibilities through mass spectrometry<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is precisely where the new single-quadrupole mass spectrometer comes into its own. By coupling it with the existing HPLC, it is now possible to detect significantly more substances than before. Furthermore, the system is considerably more sensitive, meaning that even very low concentrations can be reliably detected. This higher sensitivity is particularly important in research where individual compounds occur in very small quantities but have a decisive influence on biological or chemical processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does a mass spectrometer work?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The basic principle of mass spectrometry is as elegant as it is effective: first, the molecules to be analysed are ionised. These ions are then analysed within the instrument and distinguished on the basis of their mass-to-charge ratio. This produces characteristic signals or fragmentation patterns that are unique to each compound. These \u2018chemical fingerprints\u2019 enable the substances present to be unambiguously identified. As a result, not only can known compounds be quantified, but previously unknown or unexpected substances can also be detected with significantly greater reliability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New opportunities for research projects<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The expansion of the analytical system opens up a significantly broader range of applications for the Biotechnology Department. The improved analytical capabilities enable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n