Wednesday, September 9, 2009

analytical services

Nutrilite Products - the Result of Extensive Analysis and Research

Every NUTRILITE™ product is the direct result of extensive field testing and laboratory analysis, conducted by scientists, microbiologists, chemists, pharmacists, nutritionists, and other technicians. We have made a significant investment in scientific expertise and equipment, not often found in the nutritional supplement industry.

Scientists in laboratory, greenhouse, and manufacturing facility

Our comprehensive analytical services include:

  1. Bioassays – to identify beneficial ingredients and compounds for our products.
  2. Microbiology – to set specifications and test ingredients to ensure product safety.
  3. Analytical chemistry – to identify sources of ingredients, and develop processes for creating safe, consistent, and effective products.

Nutrilite analytical chemists rely on highly sophisticated equipment and methods to support their work:

  • Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is used to screen raw materials and test finished products – especially to identify volatile components in essential oils, or to test for those preservatives and other ingredients not allowed in some countries.
  • High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separates the active compounds in a concentrate or finished product from other components. This lets the scientist identify them individually and accurately determine their levels. HPLC supports label claims and shelf life determination.

Nutrilite Bioassays: Identifying Beneficial Ingredients

In the bioassay laboratory, our scientists use cutting-edge research and equipment to help product developers identify the most effective ingredients for NUTRILITE products.

Every day, we run assays – or tests – to predict the effect of a particular ingredient on the human body. In 2005 alone, over 2000 assays were done, ranging from the effects of a particular antioxidant to synergistic studies involving specific combinations of potential ingredients for our products.

Bioassays measure the initial effects of an ingredient at the cellular, sub-cellular, and genetic level, using living cells. Later, clinical tests on human subjects will further our knowledge of an ingredient's effect.

Many of these tests involve the use of a sophisticated, robotic system allowing a scientist to program a test, set it up, and move on to other tasks, while the system performs the test and delivers the finished data directly to the scientist's desktop computer.

Nutrilite Microbiology: Ensuring Product Safety

Microbiology is the science and study of microorganisms, including algae, fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

Our microbiologists work every day to set specifications and test ingredients before the actual formulation of NUTRILITE products.

In addition, they determine safe levels of fungi such as bacteria, yeast, and mold – natural microorganisms inherent in the many farmed ingredients used in NUTRILITE products.

After the products are formulated, Nutrilite Quality Assurance ensures that these specifications are met in the finished product.

Nutrilite Analytical Chemistry: Analyzing Raw Materials and Finished Products

The job of analytical chemistry is to characterize and subsequently analyze the raw materials that go into NUTRILITE products.

  • When the right form and strength of the raw material is determined, methods for using those compounds are formally validated.
  • The analyzed raw materials are used in finished products.
  • Methods are then developed and validated to ensure that the active levels specifications and claims for the finished products are met.
  • These methods are then used to verify the shelf life of the product, ensure packaging integrity, and guarantee consistent performance of the finished NUTRILITE product.

Innovative research keeps NUTRILITE products at the
forefront of nutrition science.