Research | Faculty of Chemistry at the Gdańsk University of Technology

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Research

The main research interests and activities of the Department of Colloid and Lipid Science span a wide range of topics in colloid, lipid and interface sciences, where determining fundamental interactions of various colloidal structures with the human body can lead to developing new functional food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

We therefore follow three main lines of research at the department:

  1. the investigation of physicochemical interactions of protein, lipid and carbohydrate biomolecules
  2. the characterisation of the role of various biomolecules and their colloidal interactions during the digestion and absorption processes;
  3. the design and formation of dispersed systems such as nano- and microemulsions for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.

In this respect, one of the major research activities currently undertaken is focused on investigating the physicochemical aspects of the breakdown of colloidal food structures and delivery systems under physiological conditions of human gastrointestinal tract. The main objectives have been to gather fundamental knowledge on colloidal mechanisms involved in the functioning of the digestive system in the context of the aging gut, and to produce a rationale for the design of personalised nutrition.


 

We carry out analyses according to standard procedures, developed on the basis of Polish and European standards.
 

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Analysis of raw materials and lipid products

Basic characterization:

  • Determination of the iodine number;
  • Determination of acid number and acidity;
  • Determination of peroxide number;
  • Determination of saponification value;

Other measurements:

  • Determination of fat content using Soxhlet extraction;
  • Determination of refractive index using Abbego refractometer;
  • Determination of oxidative stability;
  • Determination of water content and volatile substances;
     

Analysis of colloidal systems and determination of physico-chemical properties

  • Examination of surface and interphase tension;
  • Examination of stability and destabilizing processes;
  • Analysis of digestion of proteins and lipids in simulated gastrointestinal conditions;
  • Spectrophotometric measurements;
  • Rheological measurements;
  • Determination of anion surfactants by methylene blue (MBAS);
  • Determination of foam stability index and foaming capacity;
  • Determination of the surfactants by two-phase titration;
  • Determination of unsaponifiable metter;
  • Determination of the total phosphorus oxide (v) content in the form of phosphomolybdenate of quinoline;
  • Determination of the active oxygen content of washing powders;
  • Determination of the sodium superborate content of washing powders;
  • Determination of general phosphorus;
  • Determination of soluble orthophosphates by the molybdenic molybdenic method with ascorbic acid as a reducer;
  • Determination of total nitrogen by the Kjeldahl method;
  • Determination of ammonium nitrogen in water by direct nesslerization;
  • Determination of nitrate nitrogen by colorimetric method with sodium salicylate;
  • Determination of nitrite nitrogen by sulphanilic acid method;
  • Determination of sulphates by turbidimetric method;Determination of chlorides by mohr titration;
  • Determination of dissolved oxygen by the Winkler method;
  • Determination of total hardness above 0,357mval/dm3 with the edetate method;
  • Determination of acidity and mineral alkalinity and general titration against indicators;
  • Studies of oxygen demand and organic carbon content. Dilution determination of BZT;
  • Determination of chemical oxygen demand by dichromate method.