<p><strong>This study investigates the chemical transformations of Eugenia uniflora essential oil under thermal conditions simulating gas chromatography analysis. GC–MS and NMR revealed that sesquiterpenes of the germacrene type, such as furanodiene, undergo sigmatropic rearrangement to form elemene-type compounds, including curzerene.</strong></p><p>Thermal treatment confirmed the formation of rearrangement products, indicating that bioactive properties historically attributed to curzerene may instead originate from furanodiene. The findings highlight the importance of combining complementary analytical techniques, such as NMR, to avoid misinterpretation of essential oil composition and bioactivity markers.</p><blockquote><h4><strong>The original article</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966"><strong>Is Curzerene Responsible for the Bioactive Properties of Eugenia uniflora? A Possible Misinterpretation of Bioactive Markers</strong></a></h4><p>Vinicius Monteiro Schaffka, Raphaela Pereira Guaringue, Larissa Kozan, André Luis Kerek, Cássia Gonçalves Magalhães, Andersson Barison, and Barbara Celânia Fiorin*</p><p>ACS Omega 2025, 10, 48, 59425–59434</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966">https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966</a></p><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"><strong>CC-BY 4.0</strong></a></h6></blockquote><p><strong>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.</strong></p><div><p>Essential oils are a matrix of volatile and complex compounds characterized by strong odors and significant biological activity. In plants, they play a crucial role in defense against bacteria, viruses, and predators. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> These biological properties support the extensive use of essential oils in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1,2)</a> <i>Eugenia uniflora</i> L., commonly known as pitangueira, is a native Brazilian tree widely distributed across South America and is well-known for its bioactive essential oil. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(3)</a> Beyond the consumption of its fruits in natura or functional beverages, its leaves are used in infusions, decoctions, and tinctures to treat a variety of diseases, including diarrhea, stomach pain, worm infestations, fever, flu, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(4,5)</a> Studies have shown that the composition of secondary metabolites in <i>E. uniflora</i> can vary depending on factors such as fruit color, ripening stage, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(6)</a> and seasonal influences. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(4,7−10)</a></p><p>The essential oil of <i>E. uniflora</i> is predominantly composed of sesquiterpenes, mainly germacrene-type, such as curzerene, germacrene B, germacrone, germacrene D, selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one, and its oxide. Additionally, Elemene-type terpenes are also reported, including furanodiene, β-Elemene, and β-Elemenone. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(11−13)</a></p><p>However, those sesquiterpenes are well-documented for their thermal instability. When heat is applied, germacrene-type sesquiterpenes undergo a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement, known as Cope rearrangement, converting into Elemene-type terpenes as presented in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966#fig1">Figure 1</a>. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(14−16)</a> This reaction is widely utilized as a synthetic pathway to produce Elemenes from germacrene precursors. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(17,18)</a></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Figure_1_3_3_Sigmatropic_rearrangement_of_Germacrene_type_into_Elemene_type_250708e73c.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2025, 10, 48, 59425–59434: Figure 1. [3,3]-Sigmatropic rearrangement of Germacrene-type into Elemene-type." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Figure_1_3_3_Sigmatropic_rearrangement_of_Germacrene_type_into_Elemene_type_250708e73c.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="3000" height="984"></p><p>Gas chromatography (GC) is the main technique for characterizing essential oils, often coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the retention index determination is used in the identification of the compounds through comparison with databases. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(21)</a> During GC analysis, essential oils are subjected to multiple heating stages. Initially, the sample is exposed to a high inlet temperature, typically around 240 °C, to ensure complete volatilization. It then enters the oven, where the temperature follows a programmed ramp starting at 60 °C, increasing at 3 °C/min, and reaching up to 240 °C. Finally, the sample encounters the elevated temperatures of the mass spectrometry (MS) detector’s source (250 °C) and interface (280 °C). Even in isocratic methods, where the oven temperature remains constant throughout the analysis, the inlet, source, and interface temperatures are maintained at high levels. Although the sample passes through these stages briefly, the elevated temperatures can induce Cope rearrangements in the essential oil, leading to possible changes in its composition. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(22,23)</a></p><p>The accurate characterization of the chemical composition of essential oils is crucial for any study employing them as a biological or analytical matrix, as it supports the interpretation of bioactivity, chemotaxonomic classification, and quality control of samples with economic value added. There are many studies attributing relevant biological activities, classifying specimens, and identifying phenotypic and genetic variations based on the chemical composition of the essential oil of <i>E. uniflora</i> L., which is usually characterized by GC-MS. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(8,9,11,24)</a> As an example of the study carried out by de Jesus, found acute anti-inflammatory effect of a rich in curzerene essential oil. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(5)</a> Similarly, Pascoal, reported distinct essential oil composition patterns among <i>E. uniflora</i> varieties─yellow, red, and purple fruits─primarily driven by variations in β-Elemene and germacrene D content. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(7)</a> These findings highlight metabolic changes during fruit ripening and underscore the influence of genetic diversity among <i>E. uniflora</i> varieties. Such exhibitions are unsatisfactory, because they sustain all their evidence in the characterization of their essential oil only by GC-MS analysis, without considering the Cope rearrangements, a fact that may change the outcome of their research. In this context Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a good alternative for essential oil analysis, since is a robust not destructive technique and able to detect and quantify simultaneously a wide range of metabolites that exceed the concentration of about 5–10 μM. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(25)</a></p><p>In order to highlight analytical concerns about the uses of only GC-MS data to access chemical relevance of <i>E. uniflora</i> essential oil studies, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was employed to evaluate the chemical composition of the essential oil of <i>Eugenia uniflora</i> L. before and after an induced thermal treatment, compared to GC-MS data. The findings provide insights into thermolabile compounds and highlight potential misidentifications of the bioactive properties associated with the sesquiterpenes of <i>E. uniflora</i> present in literature.</p><h4><strong>2. Results and Discussion</strong></h4><h5><strong>2.1. Characterization of the Essential Oil</strong></h5><p>Approximately 60 compounds, mostly sesquiterpenes (Germacrene B) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (Germacrone), were visualized in the essential oil, with the 9 compounds having a relative area above 2%, as shown in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966#tbl1">Table 1</a>. The identified and most prevalent compounds align with those reported in the literature for <i>E. uniflora</i>. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(4,11,12)</a> It is possible to highlight the significant proportion of Germacrene-type sesquiterpenes compared to Elemene-type, except Curzerene, which was found in high concentration.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Table_1_Main_Components_Identified_in_the_GC_MS_Analysis_of_the_Essential_Oil_from_Leaves_of_E_uniflora_9d59d96bef.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2025, 10, 48, 59425–59434: Table 1. Main Components Identified in the GC–MS Analysis of the Essential Oil from Leaves of E. uniflora." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Table_1_Main_Components_Identified_in_the_GC_MS_Analysis_of_the_Essential_Oil_from_Leaves_of_E_uniflora_9d59d96bef.jpg 218w," sizes="100vw" width="1076" height="771"></p><p>The variation in the composition of the essential oil from <i>E. uniflora</i> leaves was described in literature, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(9)</a> who classified the specimens into three groups: Group I, containing yellow, dark red, and purple fruits, which showed high concentrations of germacrene B, germacrone, and atractylone; Group II, consisting of light red fruit samples, with high concentrations of curzerene, germacrene D, and germacrene A; and Group III, containing orange-red fruits, with a high content of selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one and oxyselina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one. According to this classification, this essential oil fits into Group II.</p><p>Chemical transformations of many components found in the <i>E. uniflora</i> leaves essential oil result from the heating conditions typically applied during GC–MS analysis, which occur through Cope Rearrangement. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(12,19)</a> Cope rearrangement is a stereospecific [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement that proceeds via the most stable chairlike transition state of 1,5-cyclodecadiene, from germacrene-type, to give 1,2-divinylcyclohexane, known as Elemene-type. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(14)</a> Some of the Cope rearrangements found in the <i>E. uniflora</i> essential oil are represented in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966#fig2">Figure 2</a>. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(11,22,23,26)</a></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Figure_2_Cope_Rearrangements_of_sesquiterpenes_7fe9282d75.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2025, 10, 48, 59425–59434: Figure 2. Cope Rearrangements of sesquiterpenes." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Figure_2_Cope_Rearrangements_of_sesquiterpenes_7fe9282d75.jpg 150w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="1566"></p><p>The same essential oil was analyzed using NMR spectroscopy to identify its components. Although NMR identification is considerably more labor-intensive than GC-MS analysis, it offers the advantage of being a cold and nondestructive technique. Since the sample does not undergo heating during the process, its stability is preserved throughout the analysis. The conformational differences observed in germacrene-type compounds further increase the spectrum’s complexity, leading to signal broadening in the <sup>1</sup>H NMR spectra. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(27)</a></p><p>A substantial number of signals were observed in the <sup>1</sup>H spectrum, with the majority concentrated between 0.5 and 3.0 ppm, a region characteristic of terpene compounds. The region between 4.5 and 6.0 ppm also exhibited numerous signals attributed to vinylic protons, observed in sesquiterpenes (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966#fig3">Figure 3</a>).</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Figure_3_1_H_NMR_400_13_M_Hz_CD_Cl3_spectra_of_the_raw_essential_oil_a46e04574e.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2025, 10, 48, 59425–59434: Figure 3. 1H NMR (400.13 MHz, CDCl3) spectra of the raw essential oil." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Figure_3_1_H_NMR_400_13_M_Hz_CD_Cl3_spectra_of_the_raw_essential_oil_a46e04574e.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="4175" height="2376"></p><h4><strong>3. Conclusions</strong></h4><p>The investigation of the composition of <i>E. uniflora</i> essential oil by NMR and the thermal treatment performed proved that curzerene may come from furanodiene due to the transformations that occur in the matrix during gas chromatographic analysis. These findings have significant implications for the investigation into the chemical composition of <i>E. uniflora</i> essential oil and the evaluation of the biological properties of its sesquiterpenes. Since each technique has advantages and disadvantages, combining GC-MS analysis with a cold technique, such as NMR is important to guarantee the proper identification of the compound genuinely responsible for any property assigned to <i>E. uniflora</i> essential oil.</p><h4><strong>4. Materials and Methods</strong></h4><h5><strong>4.2. GC-MS Analysis</strong></h5><p>The gas chromatographic analyses of the essential oils (10 mg mL<sup>–1</sup>) were performed using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry system (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=QP2020"><strong>Shimadzu GCMS-QP2020 Gas Chromatograph</strong></a>). The analyses were conducted on an RTx-5MS capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm internal diameter × 0.25 μm film thickness), and the analytical conditions were as follows: split ratio of 1/10, injector temperature at 250 °C, ion source at 250 °C, and interface at 280 °C. The temperature program of the oven was set at 60 °C for 5 min, followed by a temperature ramp of 3 °C/min until reaching the final temperature of 240 °C. The components were identified based on the relative retention index, calculated for each constituent by injecting a series of <i>n</i>-alkane standards (C8–C20) under the same sample conditions and comparing them with tabulated values as well as by comparing the obtained mass spectra with the mass spectra database and literature comparisons. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(21)</a></p><h5><strong>4.4. NMR Analysis</strong></h5><p>All NMR spectra were acquired at 298 K on a <strong>Bruker AVANCE III</strong> spectrometer operating at 9.4 T, observing <sup>1</sup>H at 400.13 MHz and <sup>13</sup>C at 100.13 MHz, equipped with a broadband probe. The essential oil was solubilized in CDCl<sub>3</sub> with 0.05% of tetramethylsilane (TMS) used as an internal reference. The <sup>1</sup>H NMR spectra were recorded utilizing 65k time-domain data points across a spectral width of 20.00 ppm. This setup provided a digital resolution of 0.24 Hz. The data were obtained using a single 30° excitation pulse, with a relaxation delay of 1.0 s, and an average of 128 scans. The <sup>13</sup>C NMR spectra was carried out using the <i>zgpg30</i> pulse sequence utilizing 64k time-domain data points across a spectral width of 238 ppm, with an acquisition time of 1.3631 s, providing a digital resolution of 0.7434 Hz and a relaxation delay of 2.0s and an average of 2k scans.</p><p>The HSQC and HMBC experiments were conducted using standard pulse sequences from the Bruker library, with modifications to the number of acquired points to improve resolution, 2048 in F2 and 512 in F1.</p></div>

Is Curzerene Responsible for the Bioactive Properties of Eugenia uniflora? A Possible Misinterpretation of Bioactive Markers

Quantitative Assessment of Chemical Modifications of Macromolecules through Counterion Measurement

<p><strong>Anna Vanluchene&nbsp;from UCT Prague’s&nbsp;Department of Chemical Engineering has received a&nbsp;prestigious start-up grant from the Dagmar Procházková Fund. However, she did not receive funding right away. In this interview, she describes how she developed ten versions of her&nbsp;</strong><i><strong>Illuminating Flow</strong></i><strong>&nbsp;project idea (combining photocatalysis with flow reactors for pharmaceutical synthesis). She explains why she considers perseverance to be crucial when applying for grants, how international experience has influenced her approach to team management, and how her research can reduce the chemical industry’s&nbsp;dependence on fossil fuels and imports from China.</strong></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_2_5b7d63b8e9.jpg" alt="VŠCHT Prague/Tomáš Balický: I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_2_5b7d63b8e9.jpg 127w," sizes="100vw" width="1128" height="1387"></p><h5><strong>What did the Dagmar Procházková Fund grant mean to you?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;consider it to be a&nbsp;great success. It is the first injection of funding that will allow me to ensure full independence for my research endeavour, to start my own research group, and to fund students so I&nbsp;can get started properly.</p><h5><strong>What have been your previous experiences with grants?</strong></h5><p>During my doctorate, a <i>cotutelle</i> (international doctorate under dual supervision), I&nbsp;was funded by a&nbsp;grant from the French government. Then I&nbsp;worked at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (CAS) and received a&nbsp;Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship to go abroad. The idea for my now-funded project was developed about two years ago and, since then, I&nbsp;have gradually developed and adapted the idea for various grant calls. I&nbsp;submitted about ten different versions of the proposal. I&nbsp;did not receive a&nbsp;grant from the Dagmar Procházková Fund last year, but this year, my application was successful.</p><h5><strong>This probably requires a&nbsp;great deal of patience and perseverance.</strong></h5><p>Certainly, because the success rates for most grants have been declining for some time. But as a&nbsp;motivational example, I&nbsp;will tell the story of Timothy Noel, a&nbsp;Belgian professor of chemistry living in the Netherlands. He applied for the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grant, which is among the most sought-after in Europe, seven times. But no failure deterred him and eventually he succeeded and opened the door to potentially massive grant funding. He was already one of the world’s&nbsp;top scientists in the field at that time and openly described his journey on his blog <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.noelresearchgroup.com/2022/03/17/my-personal-story-to-obtain-an-erc-grant-7-submissions-4-interviews-and-6-heartbreaks/"><strong>blog</strong></a>.</p><h5><strong>What advice does this convey to other grant applicants and early career researchers?</strong></h5><p>Start early, read a&nbsp;lot, don’t&nbsp;give up, and—most importantly—apply repeatedly. Learn from rejections and overcome possible frustration from failures. Read blogs and books by successful people, where you will find not only the glorious results of their work, but also the hardships they faced over their entire journeys. Of course, building your team and laboratory is impossible without finances. I&nbsp;myself still hope that I&nbsp;will be able to receive even bigger grants in the future.</p><h5><strong>How has your international experience influenced your scientific approach?</strong></h5><p>A&nbsp;lot and on several levels. Different laboratories teach you how to do&nbsp;things differently. You gain varied experience about how different institutions function. You see other people’s&nbsp;positive motivations, their ability to be ambitious without negativity, their involvement in institutional matters, their openness to cooperation with companies (e.g., tech transfers, spin-offs). The most important thing is to broaden your horizons. I&nbsp;see going abroad as a&nbsp;necessity. What I&nbsp;have taken away the most is drive, great support, and the idea that scientific output is not just about metrics, but also about dedication to one’s&nbsp;topic.</p><h5><strong>What is your </strong><i><strong>Illuminating Flow: Transport Phenomena in Photocatalysis</strong></i><strong> about, in layperson’s&nbsp;terms, and how is it unique?</strong></h5><p>Most of today’s&nbsp;chemical industry is still based on thermal processes and fossil fuels. Photochemistry enables electrification, where the energy source is photons delivered by LEDs, which can generate electricity from renewable sources. Current research focuses mainly on chemical reactions and their mechanisms, but as a&nbsp;chemical engineer, I&nbsp;focus on designing processes and reactors suitable for industrial use. In batch reactors, light fades rapidly with distance from a&nbsp;source, so much of a&nbsp;reaction mixture is not illuminated. Flow reactors solve this problem, but they bring new challenges such as working with solid catalysts and subsequently scaling up production and achieving higher production rates of the desired chemicals at a&nbsp;given scale.</p><p>One can imagine a&nbsp;transparent tube with a&nbsp;catalyst on the walls, upon which light shines and through which reactants flow. This project has a&nbsp;unique emphasis on engineering solutions and overall process efficiency.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_3_b978abf25c.jpg" alt="VŠCHT Prague/Tomáš Balický: I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_3_b978abf25c.jpg 241w," sizes="100vw" width="1228" height="799"></p><h5><strong>So, were you inspired by a&nbsp;gap in the market to connect photocatalysis with transport phenomena?</strong></h5><p>Exactly. I&nbsp;combine my areas of expertise: microfluidics, photocatalytic degradation of organic substances (CAS), and synthesis (MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship). The idea itself is not new, and pharmaceutical companies are very interested in “greener” photochemistry, but in practice, there is often a&nbsp;lack of appropriate engineering solutions and apparatus for industrial use.</p><h5><strong>What are the practical applications of your work and what substances are you focusing on?</strong></h5><p>Mainly on pharmaceuticals and on the synthesis of so-called fine chemicals, which are often the building blocks for the production of pharmaceuticals. There is also a&nbsp;geopolitical dimension to this, i.e. less dependence on imports from China and sustainable synthesis in Europe where it makes economic sense.</p><h5><strong>And what chemicals are you specifically talking about?</strong></h5><p>For example, building blocks for advanced synthesis, compounds prepared by trifluoromethylation reactions, or products of oxidation reactions with singlet oxygen. At the same time, we focus on reactions that are, in the classical design process, less safe or technologically demanding, where new approaches, such as photochemistry in flow reactors, could be safer and have better process control. Of course, this is not a&nbsp;universal solution for all types of reactions.</p><h5><strong>The goal of this project?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;plan to start a&nbsp;fully functional laboratory and research team, create high-quality experimental data on selected molecules and based on them, try to build cooperation with industrial partners. Without data, it is impossible to come to companies with just an idea. Within three years, I&nbsp;would like to have results that can be realistically presented and further developed.</p><h5><strong>What are the main challenges in transport phenomena during photocatalysis?</strong></h5><p>The methodology for repeatability of experiments in photochemistry is relatively demanding and there are unforeseen obstacles in building apparatus. Also, the scale-up from microliters to a&nbsp;larger scale.</p><h5><strong>What methodology will you use, and how big are the microreactors and their flow rates?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;have two different directions in methodological design. The first direction involves microreactors the size of a&nbsp;laboratory slide. You make a&nbsp;structure using a&nbsp;laser, and then you have to cast it and make a&nbsp;microreactor. This allows you to quickly adjust the geometry of the reactor. This method is, of course, not applicable in the commercial setting, but it is ideal for studying transport phenomena and precise measurements.</p><p>The second direction involves reactors that are flow cells. These are already larger, approximately 15 x 15 centimetres, and their flow rates are in the order of millilitres per hour. This is the initial scale that we will further increase during the project.</p><h5><strong>There is a&nbsp;big difference between a&nbsp;flow rate of microlitres per hour and industrial needs. Will it not work differently in reality?</strong></h5><p>Our research will focus on studying the phenomena themselves for now, and scaling will be addressed later. In addition, we will combine the experimental data obtained with computer simulations that will help design suitable conditions for a&nbsp;larger scale. For some high-value fine chemicals, these scales, combined with continuous operation or parallelization of reactors, may already be practically usable.</p><h5><strong>What catalysts will you use and how will you attach them to the reactor walls?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;am focusing on heterogeneous photocatalysis, and we will mainly use graphitic carbon nitride and its more advanced modifications. These are semiconductor materials that can be synthesized relatively easily and are suitable for immobilization on glass reactor walls. A&nbsp;key part of this project is the creation of a&nbsp;stable catalytic layer for long-term flow-through operations. To increase the contact of reactants with the catalyst, we will also consider multiphase modes, for example, gas bubbling, in order to disrupt the otherwise laminar flow.</p><h5><strong>Why did you choose this field and the Department of Chemical Engineering?</strong></h5><p>During my postdoc in Belgium, the department had an opening for an Assistant Professor position that caught my attention and I&nbsp;applied for it. I&nbsp;did my undergraduate, graduate, and initial doctoral studies here, and I&nbsp;love the department. I&nbsp;have a&nbsp;Bachelor’s&nbsp;degree in Chemistry.</p><h5><strong>Are you collaborating with anyone?</strong></h5><p>We collaborate with BUT Brno focusing on creating layers and immobilizing catalysts on glass, as well as with the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. And as for organic synthesis, we are connected with Ghent University via postdoc internships. At the same time, my colleague Viola Tokárová and I&nbsp;received a&nbsp;Czech Science Foundation grant in cooperation with BUT Brno and Masaryk University, with our part of the project focusing on the use of flow reactors for photochemical reactions and testing the antibacterial properties of photocatalytic materials. And I&nbsp;am writing other grant proposals in which I&nbsp;am trying to build new collaborations.</p><h5><strong>What does the creation of an independent research group at UCT Prague look like?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;started by renovating the premises that were assigned to me and gradually building my team. It is important for research work to have Ph.D. students; I&nbsp;have already hired one and we will recruit more. In addition to building the group, I&nbsp;will engage in securing further funding for the group, so I&nbsp;will be writing more grant proposals. It is important to think far enough in advance when it comes to prospective funding for a&nbsp;research group.</p><h5><strong>What type of students are you looking for?</strong></h5><p>The laboratory and team I&nbsp;are building will be very multidisciplinary, just like the area I&nbsp;am working on. That is why I&nbsp;am looking for students who are attracted to true multidisciplinary research, those who, for example, have knowledge of engineering, but who don’t&nbsp;mind a&nbsp;little bit of pure chemistry. One student in their own right does not have to (and cannot) know every subject, so I&nbsp;will ideally have a&nbsp;team consisting of different people with different research backgrounds. Motivated, DIY-type students who would rather enthusiastically build or invent something themselves than conduct repetitive measurements. Organic or analytical chemists will also find their place here. If this topic is interesting to students in any way, they can definitely contact me. I&nbsp;am also open to interdepartmental cooperation with other UCT Prague Faculties.</p><h5><strong>How would you describe your path to photocatalysis/chemical engineering?</strong></h5><p>Studying Chemistry as an undergrad gave me a&nbsp;broad perspective, but I&nbsp;was gradually narrowing my focus and eventually chose engineering. Chemical engineering intrigued me with its logic and was the easiest for me to grasp at the time. But I&nbsp;have always enjoyed working on projects more than the studies themselves. Even during my Bachelor studies, I&nbsp;really enjoyed and was interested in the Professor Štěpánek Group’s&nbsp;projects, where I&nbsp;was doing something completely different than I&nbsp;do&nbsp;now. I&nbsp;only got into photochemistry during my time at CAS and then, during my postdoctoral fellowship, I&nbsp;devoted myself to electrochemistry. My current focus is, thus, a&nbsp;natural interlinking of all these areas. Consequentially, I&nbsp;developed an awareness of the necessity to become independent and return to the department with my own, different research agenda, which, in my opinion, is an important and correct basis for establishing my own research group.</p><h5><strong>What is the biggest challenge of this project for you?</strong></h5><p>The transition from being a&nbsp;postdoc to a&nbsp;leadership position is a&nbsp;big change for me and I&nbsp;think it is not talked about enough. It means a&nbsp;shift from my own experimental work to leading a&nbsp;team, planning and delegating tasks, and motivating students. From a&nbsp;practical point of view, one of the main challenges is the transfer of reactions from the microscale to functional systems, the construction of reactors, the immobilization of catalysts, and generally confirming that this direction makes sense in the long term and that it has future potential.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_1_66ac267e06.jpg" alt="VŠCHT Prague/Tomáš Balický: I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_1_66ac267e06.jpg 155w," sizes="100vw" width="830" height="839"></p>

I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea

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Scientists

Scientific article

Science and research

The University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague is a natural centre of first-rate study and research in the area of chemistry in Czechia and is one of the country's largest educational and research institutions focused on technical chemistry, chemical and biochemical technologies, material and chemical engineering, food chemistry, and environmental studies.

UCT Prague

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Agilent Technologies

Milestone

Bruker

Thermo Fisher Scientific

PerkinElmer

Wiley

<p><strong>Did you know that there are over 3,500 different grades of steel? In fact, steel is one of the world’s most innovative and essential materials.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Carbon is a key element in steel and is added at small levels from 0.005% to 2%. The addition of carbon into stainless steels helps increase properties such as corrosion resistance, weldability, ductility, hardness and much more.&nbsp;</p><p>The slightest adjustment of carbon can have consequences as simple as economic loss, or as crucial as loss of life – putting the reputation of your business on the line. Watch this educational webinar to see how carbon analysis is changing.</p><p><strong>Learning Objectives</strong></p><ul><li>Confidently identify differences in grades of stainless steel</li><li>Understand how adjustments in carbon can impact the properties of steel</li><li>Gain knowledge of new technologies available to measure carbon content</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Jim Pasmore (President and Founder of Analytical Sales Training, Inc.)</p><p>Jim Pasmore is an elemental analysis expert passionate about the advancement of scientific instrumentation. Jim has over 50 years of experience traveling worldwide to develop new and innovative products. Jim specializes in application support for handheld x-ray fluorescence (XRF), laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), optical emission spectroscopy (OES), and raman spectroscopy.</p></blockquote>

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Why is Analyzing Carbon Important?

Why is Analyzing Carbon Important?

Watch this educational webinar to see how carbon analysis is changing.

<p><strong>Safe drinking water is vital for human health, necessitating rigorous monitoring to ensure its quality. Detecting trace elements in drinking water poses significant challenges, as its composition varies due to both geological factors and human activities. In this presentation, PerkinElmer’s Aaron Hineman explores the application of the NexION® 1100 ICP-MS with proprietary Universal Collision-Reaction Gas Technology for the analysis of drinking water.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>This technology offers improved sensitivity, accuracy, precision, and stability versus standalone Collision, essential for meeting stringent regulatory standards. Performance will be demonstrated through calibration validation, certified reference materials, and spiked tap water samples, showcasing the method's robustness for routine compliance testing.</p>

PerkinElmer: Unparalleled Robustness in Drinking Water Analysis with Proprietary Universal Collision-Reaction Gas Technology

Unparalleled Robustness in Drinking Water Analysis with Proprietary Universal Collision-Reaction Gas Technology

Learn how NexION 1100 ICP-MS with Universal CRG Tech ensures accurate, sensitive, and robust trace element analysis in drinking water for regulatory compliance

Robust Drinking Water Analysis with Unique CRG Tech

<p><strong>Discover the cutting-edge capabilities of PerkinElmer's new Pyris 9 Series instruments, designed to revolutionize your thermal analysis processes in polymers, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and advanced materials.</strong></p><p>This webinar delves into the new <strong>Pyris TGA 9, DSC 9, and STA 9 instruments</strong> from PerkinElmer, which combine robust performance, precise temperature control, and advanced data collection to meet the rigorous demands of today's industries. Whether you're working in R&amp;D, quality control, or material characterization, these instruments provide unparalleled accuracy and efficiency, enabling you to perform comprehensive testing with confidence.</p><p>Learn how to enhance your lab’s throughput, reduce operational costs, and achieve precise results that meet industry standards. Join PerkinElmer to explore the innovative features that make their instruments indispensable for any lab focused on polymers, pharmaceuticals, and more.</p><h4><strong>Key Learning Objectives:</strong></h4><ul><li>Master Comprehensive Thermal Analysis: Understand how to leverage the Pyris 9 Series for accurate glass transition (Tg), crystallinity, and compositional analysis across a wide temperature range.</li><li>Enhance Operational Efficiency: Learn techniques to streamline your lab workflows, reduce setup times, and perform unattended operations with confidence.</li><li>Achieve Superior Data Quality: Discover how advanced furnace design and sensor technology in the Pyris 9 Series ensure precise, reliable data for critical decision-making in material science and pharmaceuticals.</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Dr. Krystelle Mafina (Product Manager, PerkinElmer)</p><p>Dr. Krystelle Mafina is an accomplished product manager at PerkinElmer, where she oversees the UVS &amp; TEA business, driving innovation and coordinating cross-functional teams to enhance product performance and customer satisfaction. With a PhD in Biomedical Biomaterials Science, Krystelle is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Chartered Scientist (CSci) with a strong foundation in materials science.</p><p>Her career has been enriched by her active involvement in the Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining (IOM3), where she has been a member since 2009 and a committee member since 2019. Krystelle's dedication to continuous professional development, along with her commitment to mentoring and community engagement, has made her a respected leader in her field. She brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and practical industry experience, making her an invaluable asset to PerkinElmer and the broader scientific community.</p></blockquote>

PerkinElmer: Unleashing the Power of Thermal Analysis: Essential Tools for the Future of Materials and Pharma

Unleashing the Power of Thermal Analysis: Essential Tools for the Future of Materials and Pharma

PerkinElmer's webinar to explore Pyris 9 Series for advanced thermal analysis in materials and pharma. Learn to boost accuracy, efficiency, lab throughput.

Thermal Analysis Tools for Materials & Pharma Futures

<p><strong>Whether working in municipal, governmental, contract environmental, clinical, or pharmaceutical laboratories, your trace elemental analyses can impact human or environmental health and must comply with regulatory limits to minimize toxic metal exposure. These labs all share common demands for their instrumentation, including reliability, durability, accuracy, and potentially high throughput, so dependable and low-maintenance instrumentation is essential.</strong></p><p>Watch this on-demand webinar to learn about the latest innovations in ICP-MS technology, maximizing instrument uptime and lab throughput, delivering increased laboratory efficiencies.</p>

PerkinElmer: Pushing the Limits in ICP-MS Instrument Uptime & Throughput

Pushing the Limits in ICP-MS Instrument Uptime & Throughput

Watch this on-demand webinar to learn about the latest innovations in ICP-MS technology, maximizing instrument uptime and lab throughput.

Maximizing ICP-MS Uptime and Throughput

<div><p><strong>Lightfield 4D is instant volumetric imaging at high speed. Acquire comprehensive 3D information with a single snap and say goodbye to any time delay within an imaged volume. For the first time, capture the fastest movements within whole organisms at up to 80 volumes per second – with all spatiotemporal information intact. Crawling larvae, beating hearts, flowing blood, and firing neurons can be studied in 3D at unprecedented speed to unravel the secrets of life.</strong></p><p>The unique one-snap-one-volume acquisition minimizes light exposure and allows you to efficiently acquire thousands of volumes over extended periods of time without harming your sample. During this webinar you will learn about the opportunities of this new technology and its benefit for scientific research.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Dr. Toby Andrews (Postdoctoral Fellow, The Francis Crick Institute London, UK)</p><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Dr. Andrew Plygawko (Postdoctoral Research Associate, Campbell lab, The University of Sheffield)</p></blockquote></div>

Wiley: Lightfield 4D – Keeping Pace with the Pulse of Life

Lightfield 4D – Keeping Pace with the Pulse of Life

Explore Lightfield 4D: ultra-fast 3D imaging tech for live biology. Capture entire volumes instantly—ideal for neurons, hearts, larvae, and more.

Lightfield 4D: Capturing the Pulse of Life

<div><div container-id="cq-colctrl-lt0" comp-id="A1"><div><p><strong>Join us for an insightful session on Vaya Method Development Tips and Tricks! Dive into the world of Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) and the Agilent Vaya Handheld Raman. We'll explore the unique value proposition of SORS and provide guidance on developing robust methods on the Vaya for ID testing in a manufacturing environment. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding and skills!</strong></p><h5><strong>Key learning objectives:</strong></h5><ul><li>What is spatially offset Raman spectroscopy?</li><li>How to interpret the information supplied by the Vaya?</li><li>How to develop robust methods on the Vaya?</li><li>What is a custom method on Vaya?</li></ul><h5><strong>Who should attend?</strong></h5><p>All Vaya user or any pharma/biopharma customers interested to know more on through-packaging raw materials identification.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Frederic Prulliere (Product Manager Raman ID, Agilent Technologies)</p><p>Frederic Prulliere is the Product Manager for the Raman ID product line at Agilent Technologies. Prulliere leads the product development of spatially offset Raman spectroscopy-based solutions, particularly for verifying raw materials at reception. He joined Agilent Technologies in 2012 as a business development manager for mobile Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).</p></blockquote></div></div></div>

Agilent Technologies: Handheld Raman Vaya - Advanced Tips & Tricks

Handheld Raman Vaya - Advanced Tips & Tricks

Join us for an insightful session on Vaya Method Development Tips and Tricks! 

Handheld Raman Vaya - Tips & Tricks

<h5><strong>From Raw Material to Final Product: Maximize Efficiency and Quality with XRF,</strong></h5><p><strong>Join us for a 60 minute free, online seminar showcasing how the latest X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology, the S8 TIGER, is transforming metal production. Whether you're optimizing furnace conditions, improving metal quality, or ensuring compliance, this session will provide practical insights and live demonstrations straight from the lab.</strong></p><p>We will walk you through operating our spectrometers and provide valuable tips and tricks regarding sample preparation and handling.</p><h5><strong>What You will Learn:</strong></h5><ul><li>How XRF enables fast, accurate analysis of slag and metal samples.</li><li>Best practices for sample preparation and calibration.</li><li>Live demonstrations of new S8 TIGER Series 3 in action.</li><li>Real-world applications in steel, ferroalloy, and non-ferrous metal production.</li><li>Tips to improve throughput, reduce costs, and enhance quality control.</li></ul><h5><strong>Agenda:</strong></h5><ul><li>Welcome &amp; Introduction</li><li>Overview: XRF in Metal &amp; Slag Applications</li><li>Live Demo 1: Slag Sample Prep &amp; EDXRF Analysis</li><li>Live Demo 2: WDXRF for Metal Quality Control</li><li>Summary&nbsp;</li><li>Q&amp;A Session</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Dr. Kai Behrens (Head of XRF Product Line Management, Bruker AXS)</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Dr. Adrian Fiege (Product Manager XRF, Bruker AXS)</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Renata Janjic (Application Scientist XRF, Bruker AXS)</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Frank Portala (Product Manager XRF, Bruker AXS)</p></blockquote>

Bruker: From Raw Material to Final Product: Maximize Efficiency and Quality with XRF

From Raw Material to Final Product: Maximize Efficiency and Quality with XRF

XRF enables fast and accurate analysis of metals and slags, supporting quality control and efficiency in metal production.

From Raw Materials to Final Product with XRF

<p><strong>Ensuring accurate, compliant data is critical for food manufacturers and contract labs tasked with analyzing complex food and feed matrices. From elemental testing to nutritional profiling, maintaining data integrity while meeting fast turnaround expectations is an ongoing challenge.</strong></p><p>In this webinar, we’ll explore how microwave-assisted digestion, extraction, and hydrolysis help laboratories streamline sample preparation for food and feed analysis. You’ll also learn how a 'Total Workflow' approach can reduce processing time, improve data quality, and scale operations efficiently.</p><p>Plus, hear from Light Labs, a modern analytical testing facility, on how they combine Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) microwave digestion with high-throughput rotor-based systems for targeted workflows like sample preparation and FAMEs analysis.</p><h4><strong>In this session, we’ll cover how to:</strong></h4><ul><li>Improve throughput and accuracy with microwave-assisted sample preparation.</li><li>Enable complete digestion of complex food matrices with SRC technology.</li><li>Support specialized workflows like FAMEs and amino acids with rotor-based systems.</li><li>Learn from Light Labs on scaling operations while maintaining data quality.</li></ul><blockquote><p><strong>Speaker:</strong> Michael Coppola (Product Manager at Milestone)<br><br><strong>Speaker: </strong>Lev Spivak-Birndorf (Analytical Chemist at Light Labs)</p></blockquote>

Milestone: Food Lab Insights: How One Testing Lab Transformed Sample Prep

Food Lab Insights: How One Testing Lab Transformed Sample Prep

We’ll explore how microwave-assisted digestion, extraction, and hydrolysis help laboratories streamline sample preparation for food and feed analysis

How One Testing Lab Transformed Sample Prep

<h4><strong>Event Overview:</strong></h4><p>Accurate impurity analysis in metal alloys, particularly in precious metals, is essential for ensuring quality, performance, and value. Traditional methods, such as fire assay, are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to contamination, which can impact efficiency and data reliability.</p><p>This webinar examines how microwave digestion provides a faster, safer, and more reproducible alternative. We’ll discuss the limitations of conventional techniques and explore how Single Reaction Chamber digestion can reduce operator time, improve accuracy, and streamline laboratory workflows.</p><p>Dirats Laboratories, a long-standing materials testing facility, will share their experience transitioning from rotor-based microwave digestion to SRC microwave technology. With over 20 years of expertise in elemental analysis, their shift to a more efficient system has helped minimize fusion steps, enhance process efficiency, and achieve notable time and cost savings.</p><h4><strong>What you will learn:</strong></h4><ul><li>Understand how microwave digestion technology can reduce operator time, increase throughput, and improve analytical accuracy, even for challenging alloy samples.</li><li>Learn how a closed digestion system minimizes blank values and contamination risks for more reliable impurity analysis.</li><li>Explore how controlled digestion conditions enhance laboratory safety by reducing exposure to hazardous reagents and fumes.</li><li>Gain insights into workflow optimization with a more efficient and reproducible digestion approach</li></ul><h4><strong>Who should attend</strong></h4><ul><li>Anyone performing or overseeing elemental analysis</li><li>Lab directors &amp; Lab managers/supervisors</li><li>Researchers</li><li>Chemists/analysts</li><li>Technicians/research assistants</li><li>QA/QC managers</li></ul>

Milestone: Precious Metals: Pre-Analytical Workflow Optimization

Precious Metals: Pre-Analytical Workflow Optimization

This webinar examines how microwave digestion provides a faster, safer, and more reproducible alternative.

<div><div><p><strong>Join us for an exclusive webinar showcasing the Fourier 80 Multi-Talent - Bruker’s all-in-one benchtop NMR spectrometer designed to deliver smarter, faster, and fully automated multinuclear analysis for every sample.</strong></p><p>Whether you're working in academic research, industrial QC, or method development, the Fourier 80 Multi-Talent empowers you to unlock infinite insights with a single compact system. <strong>Discover how this versatile platform supports proton and 15+ X-nuclei analysis, enabling comprehensive molecular characterization with minimal user intervention.</strong></p><p>In this session, our experts will walk you through the end-to-end automated workflow - from sample submission to identification and quantification - highlighting how the system’s intuitive software, integrated sample changer, and robust automation features streamline your daily routines. Learn how to boost throughput, reduce human error, and achieve reproducible results across a wide range of applications.</p><p>We’ll also explore real-world use cases and demonstrate how the Fourier 80 Multi-Talent adapts to evolving analytical needs, making it the ideal solution for labs seeking maximum flexibility and efficiency without compromising data quality.</p><p>&nbsp;Join us and see how the Fourier 80 Multi-Talent is redefining compact NMR spectroscopy.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Dr. Agnes Haber (Product Manager FT-NMR Benchtop, Bruker BioSpin)</p><p>Agnes Haber holds a doctoral degree in physics from RWTH Aachen University. She has over 15 years’ experience in benchtop NMR, which she acquired in academic and industrial environments all over the world. Currently at Bruker, Agnes is the product manager for the Fourier 80 benchtop NMR spectrometer, being responsible for product portfolio management, including accessories and automation, and supporting the commercialization of end-to-end solution in various markets.</p><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Dr. Benjamin Goerling (Application Scientist, FT-NMR Benchtop, Bruker BioSpin)</p><p>Benjamin Görling holds a doctoral degree in chemistry from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. He joined Bruker in 2016 as an application scientist focusing on small molecules and automation and and has focused on the Fourier 80 benchtop NMR with its introduction in 2019.</p><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Dr. Justinas Sakas (Application Scientist, FT-NMR Benchtop, Bruker BioSpin)</p><p>Justinas Sakas earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Edinburgh in 2024, having worked on NMR and MS method development for the analysis of complex mixtures. He joined Bruker in Ettlingen, Germany later that year as a Benchtop NMR Application Scientist and works on advancing the methods and capabilities of the Fourier 80.</p></blockquote></div></div>

Wiley: Fourier 80 Multi-Talent: One System. Infinite Insights.

Fourier 80 Multi-Talent: One System. Infinite Insights.

Discover the Bruker Fourier 80 Multi-Talent, a compact benchtop NMR system delivering automated multinuclear analysis, high throughput, and reproducible results

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I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea