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College of Life Sciences
Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science

Chromatography Facility

The College of Life Sciences has established a Chromatography Facility for the use of researchers who do not have access to or expertise in chromatographic analyses. The Facility Director is Dr. Shawn Christensen. Anyone interested in using the facility can contact Dr. Christensen to schedule a meeting.

Dr. Shawn Christensen (Director) S-125 ESC (801)-422-4075

Chromatographic Capabilities

  • HPLC and LC/MSD (6 instruments)
  • GC (2 instruments)
  • Gerstel Robotic MPS for GC/MSD (1 instrument)
  • Detectors (DAD, FLD, RI, ELSD, MSD, FID, TCD)
  • GERSTEL MPS system for GC SPME and Headspace sampling technology including TDU (Thermal Desorption Unit) and DHS (Dynamic Head Space) for trace volatile compound analysis
  • Preparative sample fractionation and isolations using HPLC or open column Chromatography

Examples of Analyses Available

  • Vitamins A, B1, B2, B7, B12, B9, C, D, E, K) (HPLC, GC)
  • Amino acids (HPLC)
  • Flavonoids (HPLC)
  • Alkaloids (HPLC, GC)
  • Carbohydrates (GC)
  • Terpenes (GC, HPLC)
  • Fatty acids (GC)
  • Organic acids (HPLC)
  • Isoflavones (HPLC)
  • Sterols (HPLC)
  • Nucleotides (HPLC)
  • Protein, Peptide and Amino acid (HPLC)
  • Glycinebetaine (HPLC)
  • Phosphoric Lipids (HPLC) and etc.

General Policies and Protocol

  • Ongoing development of policies by Chromatography Facility Committee; reviewed by Users.
  • Method development generally to be done by Facility Director Dr. Shawn Christensen. Cost of method development determined in consultation with Users.

General Protocol

  1. Users interested in using the facility will contact Facility Director (422-4075 or email at shawn_christensen@byu.edu) to schedule a meeting.
  2. Meet to discuss project, provide information regarding methods to be used, column needs, sample preparation, type of data to be generated, and so forth.
  3. Total cost estimate provided, or date to meet when costs are known; discuss how cost is determined. Discuss when payment is due and billing procedure.
  4. If appropriate, discuss need for student involvement, etc.
  5. Notes on discussion of items provided to User and Facility director through duplicated form.
  6. Set up account for User.
  7. Unless other arrangements are made, samples must be prepared before taken to the lab; the extracts must be filtered with at least 0.45 um of pore size filter and the analyzing compounds should be at least 2~5 ug/ml in concentrations for UV, MSD and FID detector and 0.1 ug/ml for FLD detector.

Pricing

  • BYU Rates (BYU Faculty Only) for Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses
  • HPLC analysis - $8/sample (average)
  • GC analysis - $8/sample (average)
  • GC/MS and HPLC/MS compound identification $10/sample
  • Sample extraction - $30/sample
  • Compound isolation and purification - depend on quantity per procedure, calculate based on number of injection. ($8/injection)

Will not conduct any analysis for outside of BYU unless for some collaborated research projects. Some factors affecting analysis costs:

  • Instrument maintenance (Including service contracts)
  • Student labor
  • Consumable supplies (solvents, gas, liquid nitrogen, vials, etc.)
  • Columns provided by Chromatography lab generally or will provide by user if it is special application of projects (resolved at consultation).
  • Number of samples
  • Method development
  • Consultation time

Rate subject to numbers per project.
HPLC and GC Analysis

  • 1-100 Samples = $8
  • 100-300 Samples = $7
  • 300+ = $6

Sample Extraction

  • 1-10 = $40
  • 11-50 = $30
  • 51-100 = $25
  • 101-200+ = $20