Bio-Botanica’s R&D Department is where new products are created, analyzed and tested. Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, we are able to develop and produce the highest quality and purity of botanical extracts. An explanation of some of the equipment we use is outlined below.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
HPLC is used to accurately separate and measure components (constituents) in a mixture (extract) when compared to a retained standard. We can, for example, determine accurately the level of kavalactones (constituents) present in our Kava kava (extract) through HPLC testing, ensuring that we are meeting consistent levels of a specific constituent or constituents time after time by employing specific production procedures. A Micromass Spectrometer is used in conjunction with the HPLC to analyze non-volatile constituents.

Gas Chromatograph (GC)
GC uses the same principles as HPLC except that it is used to analyze volatile constituents. These are substances that can be easily turned into gas and then analyzed. One example of a volatile constituent is alliin, found in garlic. Our GC is coupled with a Mass Spectrometer, which allows us to compare samples to a library of over 134,000 spectra standards.

Dual Wavelength Flying Spot Scanning Densitometer
Equipment used to detect and quantify constituents.
Infrared Spectrometer (IR)

IR measures constituent absorption of light in the Infra red region of light. Each substance has a characteristic pattern of absorbencies, thereby creating a “fingerprint”. This is useful in not only identifying constituents but also their purity.
Our Microscopy Laboratory contains a group of simple and compound microscopes, digital T.V. camera and computer equipment which aids our chemists in the macro and micromorphology of various botanicals:
Macropmorphology - the external characteristics of a particular plant
Micromorphology - the internal characteristics of a particular plant
This aids us in identifying and quantifying botanical samples.