Scientific services
Our Scientific Services Team offer analytical chemistry expertise and services for our School researchers, UQ colleagues and external clients.
Extensive expertise is available in both organic and inorganic chemistry, encompassing method development and analyses. We support a diverse range of research projects across food science and agriculture, providing high-quality analytical services tailored to meet specific research needs.
Our scientific services facilities and laboratories at St Lucia and Gatton are equipped with a range of specialised instruments and operate in full compliance with UQ health and safety standards.
We work with research students, academic staff, UQ collaborators and external research partners, all of whom benefit from the dedicated expertise and comprehensive support provided by our experienced professional team.
Sample submissions
There are options for standard/routine analyses or method development for non-standard analysis.
Sample matrices often include soils, plants, water, animal/biological tissues and food materials. Other sample types are not usually restricted, please specify on enquiry.
St Lucia sample submissions
At St Lucia, samples for routine analyses can be submitted directly to the sample drop off room in:
Hartley Teakle Building (Building 83)
North Wing, Level 1, Room N105
Samples dropped off must include detailed project and sample information by filling a sample submission form provided in room N105.
For more information related to St Lucia sample submissions, contact Zofia Ostatek-Boczynski, Scientific Services Manager: agfs.scientific.services@uq.edu.au
Gatton sample submissions
Samples for analysis conducted at Gatton can be submitted directly to:
Central Analytical Laboratory (CAL)
John Mahon Building (Building 8105)
For more information related to CAL sample submissions, contact Dr Zhi Hung Loh (Simon), Scientific Services Officer: zhihung.loh@uq.edu.au
Organic chemistry techniques and facilities
Researchers and HDR students can be granted direct access to a range of instruments within the Scientific Services Unit facilities. As part of this access, we provide initial expertise in organic chemistry, including training, development and support with experimental design.
Samples can also be submitted directly for organic analysis, with the Scientific Services team conducting sample preparation and instrumental analysis.
For more information contact Dr Hung Hong, Laboratory Services Coordinator: h.trieu@uq.edu.au
Download organic analyses list (PDF, 434.2 KB)
Download instrument access fees (PDF, 496.5 KB)
Further test details:
Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS and GC-MS)
Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) are essential analytical tools in food and agricultural research and education. These techniques enable precise identification and quantification of a broad range of compounds, including pesticides, mycotoxins, veterinary drug residues, bioactive metabolites, vitamins, amino acids, phytochemicals and environmental contaminants.
LC-MS is especially effective for analysing polar and thermally unstable compounds, making it ideal for complex food matrices. In contrast, GC-MS excels at detecting volatile and semi-volatile substances, such as fatty acids and flavour compounds. Together, these methods play a critical role in supporting accurate quality control, ensuring regulatory compliance and advancing innovative research in sustainable agriculture and food safety.
Equipment (St Lucia):
- WATERS LC-MS/MS
- Shimadzu LC-MS
- Shimadzu GC-MS
- LECO GC/GC-TOFMS
Liquid and Gas Chromatography
Liquid and Gas Chromatography systems with advanced detectors are vital in food and agriculture research.
Liquid Chromatography systems, including HPLC-PDA-RI and UHPLC-PDA-FLR-ELSD, enable precise analysis of sugars, organic acids, amino acids, fatty acids, carotenoids, vitamins and other bioactive compounds.
Gas Chromatography configurations like GC-FID-ECD-TCD, GC-FID-TCD and GC-FID-ECD are effective for detecting volatile compounds, hydrocarbons, greenhouse gases, pesticides and environmental contaminants.
Together, these systems support comprehensive analysis across complex matrices, advancing quality assurance, regulatory compliance and innovation in sustainable food systems.
Equipment (St Lucia and Gatton):
- HPLC-PDA-RI
- UHPLC-PDA-FLR-ELSD
- GC-FID-ECD-TCD
- GC-FID-TCD
- GC-FID-ECD
Speciality tests
Our laboratory delivers specialised analytical services using advanced instrumentation to support research in food science and agriculture.
We offer precise and reliable testing across a wide range of compound classes, including greenhouse gases, volatile organic compounds, polyphenols, flavonoids, bioactive compounds, phytochemicals, carotenoids, vitamins and essential nutrients.
These services play a vital role in advancing research and education, providing accurate and timely results that drive scientific progress in food and agricultural science.
Inorganic chemistry techniques and facilities
Scientific Services offer a large range of inorganic chemistry tests in support of agriculture and food research projects within our School, across UQ and externally. Inorganic chemistry expertise, training and support in method development and experimental design can be provided if direct access to our facilities is required.
Samples can be submitted for inorganic analysis directly, with Scientific Services team conducting sample preparation and instrumental analysis.
For more information contact Zofia Ostatek-Boczynski, Scientific Services Manager: agfs.scientific.services@uq.edu.au
Download inorganic analyses list (PDF, 344.1 KB)
Download analyses and techniques list (PDF, 311.4 KB)
Further test details:
Spectroscopy (ICP-OES)
ICP-OES, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy, is a frequently applied analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample. Samples are introduced in a liquid form, following extractions or digestions, into plasma operated at 10,000K where atoms are excited to a higher energy state, resulting in emission of light at specific wavelengths. By measuring the intensity of this light, the concentration of each element can be determined. Range of elements can be detected simultaneously using ICP-OES, with detection limits achieving ppb levels.
Scientific Services team can assist with sample preparation (extraction, digestion, including HF acid digestion - commonly used for the estimation of total elemental composition of soils and sediments) and ICP-OES analyses.
Equipment and location (St Lucia):
- ICP-OES Thermo Fisher iCAP PRO XP DUO
- ICP-OES Perkin Elmer Optima 8300
Combustion analyses
This technique is based on a Dumas method for the determination of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in solid and liquid samples.
Solid samples analysed by LECO instruments are combusted in high purity oxygen at 1250°C, with high purity helium used as a purge gas. At the completion of combustion the mixture of gases is purified and passed through copper column to remove the excess of oxygen and reduce oxides of nitrogen to nitrogen. The gases measured are N2, CO2, and analysed simultaneously for nitrogen by a TC detector and carbon by RI detector.
Similar principle applies to the TOC/TN analyser for the determination of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Total Nitrogen (TN) in liquid samples. Inorganic carbon is removed prior analysis by acidification of the liquid samples and sparging with zero air.
Equipment and location:
- LECO CNS928 (St Lucia)
- LECO CN928 (Gatton)
- TOC/TN Liquid Analyser Shimadzu (Gatton)
Colorimetric and IC
Colorimetric methods of analysis are offered across our laboratories at St Lucia and Gatton. These include measurement of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen in mineral-N extracts, quantification or phosphate-P in Colwell-P and BSES-P soil extracts, and a range of other techniques.
Alternate ion chromatography (IC) methods can be developed for effective separation, speciation and quantification of ions and polar compounds in aqueous samples. The primary advantage of this technique lies in its ability to analyse anions and cations that lack alternative, expedient analytical methods.
Speciality chromatographic tests are offered at Gatton CAL laboratory, such as GC method for the measurement of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in rumen fluid.
Equipment and location:
- Ion Chromatography Shimadzu Prominence IC with Dual Flow (St Lucia)
- Discreet Analysers SEAL AQ400 (St Lucia and Gatton)
- GC Shimadzu – speciality VFA in rumen fluids (Gatton)
Proximate analyses and other techniques
Proximate analysis determines the composition of food and animal feed products by the measurement of its fundamental components: moisture, ash, fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Proximate analysis offered by Scientific Services additionally include the measurement of fibre (NDF and ADF) and calorific value.
Range of sample preparation and speciality analyses apparatus is available within Scientific Services facilities at Gatton (8103-133 and 8105) and St Lucia (Level 1 Hartley Teakle #83).
Equipment and location:
- ANKOM Crude Fat Analyser (St Lucia)
- ANKOM Fibre Analyser (St Lucia)
- LECO Crude Protein Analyses (St Lucia and Gatton)
- Bomb Calorimetry (Gatton)
- Spectrophotometers [carbohydrates analyses] (St Lucia and Gatton)
- Sample grinding [plant samples] (St Lucia)
- Drying/ashing equipment (St Lucia and Gatton)
- Freeze drying (Gatton)
- Microwave and plate digestion apparatus (St Lucia)
- Extraction equipment (St Lucia and Gatton)
Detailed information is available on request.
Our people
Dr Hung Hong
Hung Hong’s research profile
Dr Zhi Hung Loh (Simon)
Zhi Hung Loh’s research profile
Mr David Appleton
David Appleton’s profile
Mr Stephen Appleton
Stephen Appleton’s profile
Contact us
Contact our Scientific Services Team for more information, including advice on research project requirements, sample preparation or experimental design.
Zofia Ostatek-Boczynski
Scientific Services Manager