News 2024

iFZ Masters Award

Herzlichen Glückwunsch an Gala Gottschalg zum iFZ Masters Award! In ihrer Masterarbeit analysierte sie Pilzbestandteile auf potenziell schädliche Stoffwechselprodukte im Vergleich zu den Nebenströmen. Mittels Hochleistungs-Dünnschichtchromatographie und planaren Bioassays untersuchte sie die Proben auf antibakterielle, endokrine, neurotoxische/-modulierende und genotoxische Wirkungen, wobei der Fruchtkörper die geringsten Konzentrationen an potenziell schädlichen Stoffwechselprodukten aufwies.

Nebenströme aus der Lebensmittelproduktion müssen häufig entsorgt werden. Alternativ können sie essbaren Pilzen als Nährstoffquelle dienen. Die ernährungsphysiologisch optimale Verwertung zu finden und Gefährdungen auszuschließen, das ist eine der vielen Aufgaben der Lebensmittelwissenschaften der JLU Gießen. Innovative Produkte und unübliche Herstellungsverfahren sollten stets mit einer wirkungsbezogenen, ungerichteten Analytik abgesichert werden, denn potenziell schädliche Stoffwechselprodukte sind nicht vorhersagbar.
Der Pilz Pleurotus pulmonarius, der Sommeraustern-Seitling, kann auf einer Mischung der Nebenströme Biertreber und Kartoffelpülpe kultiviert werden. Verschiedene Pilzbestandteile (Fruchtkörper, Pilzfäden) sind potenziell verzehrbar. Dies erforscht Bastian Loderhose in seinem von der RAPS-Stiftung geförderten Promotionsvorhaben.

Dank an das Vegabekomitee des  Interdisziplinären Forschungszentrums für biowissenschaftliche Grundlagen der Umweltsicherung (iFZ), eine Infrastruktureinrichtung der Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen.

 

Guests on earth

A (second) shock, although we know that we are only guests on the blue planet we call Earth. He always seemed so resilient, strong, and younger than he was. I enjoyed our talks on HPTLC and also other world issues. His clear, thorough view and reflected opinion was impressive, although it asked for questioning and mirroring, which was my great part. He was a lively night owl, and I enjoyed our common visits to jazz concerts (once a year, some years twice, almost over a decade). Thank you for the music, ... (sorry, a pop song fits best here)! You made me take this time. We kindly remember you, and by doing so, you stay on Earth.

 

Guests on earth

We mourn a beloved and one of the kindest scientists in our midst. Not making a big deal out of all her achievements and dedication to improve HPTLC in pharmaceutical sciences. Endless sharing of knowledge about HPTLC, her opinion and point of view carried weight. It is a great honor to have known her and to have had her in our midst, even though she left us much too soon at the age of 71. We will remember her very fondly. She will forever remain in our hearts (and thus on earth).

 

We work on the change towards sustainability!

Our works were mentioned in the Justus Liebig University Giessen Sustainability Report:

The Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Justus Liebig University Giessen also reported on the 2LabsToGo:

 

Highlights at HPTLC 2024

The scientific experts in HPTLC met to exchange knowledge. Dr. Agnes Moricz and her team successfully organized the international HPTLC 2024 symposium in the heart of Budapest. Congratulations to them!

Poster prize: Doctorial student Kevin Jakob presented our 2LabsToGo poster and also showed the sustainable 2LabsToGo in operation.
We are thankful to have obtained one of the highly competitive second poster prizes! Five further posters on our latest research were excellently presented by doctoral students (competition was strong).

Doctoral student Stefan Roling contributed with a very good presentation on a new enzyme assay - you made it!

 

Sustainability is key!

 

Workshop to assemble the 2LabsToGo-Eco - the most sustainable lab of the future

• MON 13:00-19:00 Assembly day 1
• TUE  08:00-18:30 Assembly day 2
• Wed  08:00-18:30 Assembly day 3
• THU  08:00-18:30 Finalization and operational qualification
• FRI   08:00-18:30 Applications: HPTLC-UV/Vis/FLD-Aliivibrio fischeri and -SOS-Umu-C-Vis/FLD
• SAT  08:00-13:00 Troubleshooting information for self-empowerment to be autarc

Each participant had five long working days to build the 2LabsToGo-Eco, test its full operation (operational qualification), and finally use it for two different planar bioassay applications! A heartfelt compliment to all participants and their discipline!
"The future depends on what you do today." (M. Gandhi) => You made it!
We are happy that 20 more 2LabsToGo-Eco are in the orbit!

 

See the video of the lab day, on which each participant got the proof that his/her self-built 2LabsToGo was functioning. The do-it-yourself concept strengthens self-empowerment!

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Erasmus cooperation with the University of Modena

Organized by Professor Federica Pellati, Italian pharmacy students join our group to learn more about effect-directed analysis. As the seventh student, Gabriela Mazilu joined our team for 6 months. It was a pleasure!

 

Ten excursions to industries

Related to our three quality management modules, we visited Ferrero, Döhler, Novonesis, Licher brewery and LHL Persishable-Center Frankfurt Airport.

 

2LabsToGo - the most sustainable lab of the future

Thanks for the kind advertisement!

 

International Symposium on HPTLC 2024

Every two years, the International Scientific Committee on HPTLC organizes the International Symposium on HPTLC:
Join the HPTLC 2024 to learn more and meet the worldwide HPTLC experts.

 

Announcement: Built your open-source 2LabsToGo system 2.-7.09.2024

The latest system (we will publish soon) has an integrated autosampler, a nebulizer, a mini-incubator, UV/Vis/FLD/bioluminescence detection, including reflectance and backlight illumination, and many further improvements. In advance, we will order and 3D print all parts for you. This means you can directly start at the workshop to set up your system, whereby we will guide you. Some reading: Non-target screening of complex samples for hazards, or the interview video on 2LabsToGo at Analytica 2024 by Alasdair Matheson of LCGC International, recorded by Caroline Hroncich.

Registration as soon as possible (limited to 20 scientists)  register here   Order Details

The miniaturised all-in-one 2LabsToGo-Eco system combines the functions of devices in two fully equipped laboratories: it covers all steps of high-performance thin-layer chromatography (chromatography laboratory) and planar bioassay detection (biological assay laboratory). It is open-source, compact (35 cm x 45 cm x 35 cm) and portable (8 kg), and can be optionally equipped with solar panels for field or on-site use. As a Lean Lab, it has a smaller ecological footprint in terms of material consumption, lower power consumption, and significantly lower investment costs compared to two fully equipped laboratories. The 2LabsToGo-Eco was developed for do-it-yourself assembly at a material price in the last decade. Funding for one PhD position was thankfully obtained via the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (grant E/U2AD/KA018/IF565) to be used in the container laboratory for food control missions abroad. The non-target biological detection is very helpful in detecting any detrimental effects. This latest system is meant to be spread around the world.

Remark: Over two years (2011-2012), I asked many times the manufacturers of HPTLC devices to get involved in this project and collaborate to develop a low-cost small-scale system, but they refused due to the low-cost approach and replied that I could do it myself. Alone, it was most difficult to find persons with skills for coding or system engineering. In Germany, such skills are not available on the free market. With huge effort, some M.Sc. students were willing, but contributed only 1.3 years on average in this project (poaching market). After the onboarding process, there were only a few months left to make real contributions to the project. Obtaining funding was also challenging. We are very grateful that we have persevered under these circumstances. Now it is time to spread the 2LabsToGo-Eco, which fulfills all needs, around the world.

 

 

Surprise! Ranks in Chromatography

Listed among the 0.003% (world position #8) highly Ranked Scholars™ in Chromatography.

 

2LabsToGo at Analytica

Full days at Analytica2024: Three times a day, the 1-h Live Lab presentation/moderation (0:26) and an oral presentation every day (Forum, Conference, DGF), a poster presentation, and two interviews. Happily, I met my former guest researcher Hanna Nikolaichuk. I asked her if she could present the 2LabsToGo at the Live Lab during my two parallel morning lectures. Of the 12 Live Lab presentations, your two presentations were definitely the coolest! Many, many thanks to Hanna!!!

 

See also the interview video on 2LabsToGo at Analytica 2024 by Alasdair Matheson of LCGC International, recorded by Caroline Hroncich.

And a short video about Analytica 2024:

 

Great interest in our research

I got a call from Guido Deußing saying proudly Thank you because his interview with me in the journal Laborpraxis attracted the most interest by far in 2023 and has done so for years: Genotoxische Verbindungen sicher und effizient in Nahrungsmitteln bestimmen - Gesund ungesund: Erbgutschädigende Pflanzenöle?, Laborpraxis 7-8 (2023) 48-51

 

Interview on plant oils

Interview mit Teresa Arrieta (1 h) am 13.2.2024, digital: Gefahr in Pflanzenölen: Warum deine Gesundheit schweren Schaden nehmen kann (Titel wurde nicht von mir so formuliert), Cholesterin-Kongress, 9.-18.02.2024, Medumio Gesundheitsakademie

 

Presentations of doctoral research work

Erfolgreich wurde unsere Forschung auf dem 34. Doktorandenseminar des Arbeitskreises Separation Science vom 8.–10.01.2024 in Hohenroda, Hessen, vertreten. Isabel Müller präsentierte "On-surface-Untersuchung der Verdauung von Kohlenhydraten und Fetten unter Verwendung von Mund- und Darmenzymen" und Max Haumann "Genotox-Screening von MOSH/MOAH in Schokolade". Sie haben es beide sehr souverän gemeistert – Gratulation!

   

 

Selected as the journal front cover

Thank you for the honor of selecting our graphical abstract figure as the journal front cover (click on the cover to increase it)!

Cover image: Tomato products were screened with a ten-dimensional hyphenation with integrated simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Non-digested and digested samples were compared side by side. In their effect-directed profiles, 14 bioactive compounds from classes of lipids, plant hormones, spices, and pesticides were identified. The innovative hyphenation allowed for a non-target proactive food safety analysis. (From: Schreiner, T., Eggerstorfer, N.M. & Morlock, G.E. Towards non-target proactive food safety: identification of active compounds in convenience tomato products by ten-dimensional hyphenation with integrated simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Anal Bioanal Chem (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-023-04656-0).

 

Interview on food

Interview mit Barbara Berner über Bürgerrat Ernährung, ARD, hr, mex. das Marktmagazin, 10.01.2024 (18:40-19:00 und 19:20-19:50)