Centre for Natural Products

Analytical testing is performed to qualitatively or quantitatively determine specific characteristics or the composition of components and active ingredients in a substance or product. Testing can range from simple measurements, such as reporting the pH of a water sample, to complex analytical profiling, such as creating a fingerprint of bioactive molecules present in a plant extract. 

Analytical test methods may be sourced from government, industry, or academic publications. When suitable methods are unavailable, or when existing methods are not appropriate for a specific product or sample type, new methods must be developed. These methods are then validated to demonstrate precision, accuracy, robustness, and repeatability. 

In the early stages of new product development, manufacturing processes and batch recipes are typically conducted at a small scale for proof-of-concept purposes. Prior to scale-up for full commercial production, processes must be well understood and optimized. Additionally, any change to an existing process may require re-optimization to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and consistent manufacturing operations. Such changes may include modifications to raw materials or ingredients, the introduction of new equipment or operating parameters, or adjustments made to improve product quality. 

Feasibility studies are conducted to assess whether a proposed process or product attribute can be successfully implemented within budget and operational constraints. These studies may evaluate changes to product size, flavour, formulation, or packaging, among other factors. 

Stability testing is performed on raw materials, bulk products, and finished packaged products to assess the effects of temperature, light, and humidity on quality attributes over time. These attributes may include the potency of active ingredients, as well as yeast, mould, and bacterial content. Stability testing can be conducted under real-time conditions or under accelerated conditions (such as elevated temperature and humidity) to support shelf-life determination or prediction. 

Natural products are derived from plants and other natural materials that contain compounds of interest which contribute to health and wellness. These compounds can be extracted in purified or concentrated form for use in natural health products, cosmetics, personal care items, foods, and beverages. Extraction techniques vary depending on the chemical and physical properties of the target compounds. A wide range of technologies may be employed, including supercritical fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, solvent extraction, and distillation. 

Natural products, cosmetics, foods, and beverages each require unique formulations and manufacturing approaches to achieve desired quality, functionality, and brand attributes. The formulation process relies on the expertise of a formulator to select appropriate ingredients and define optimal processing conditions that meet customer and regulatory requirements. 

Cultivation experiments at the CNP focus on studying seed treatments and germination conditions to improve yield and reduce time to germination. Plant tissue culture studies primarily involve plant propagation under controlled laboratory conditions, including controlled light and humidity, as well as optimized nutrient composition and media pH, to ensure consistent and healthy plant growth.