Auxin dosage

The measurement of auxins, and in particular indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), allows for the quantification of essential phytohormones involved in regulating plant growth and development. These molecules play a central role in cell elongation, tissue differentiation, rooting, phototropy, gravitropy, and plant adaptation to their environment. Their measurement is essential for understanding physiological mechanisms, optimizing biostimulant formulations, and controlling the quality of plant extracts used in agriculture or nutraceuticals.

Industrial challenges of auxin dosing

Auxins are central to many biological processes, and their concentration strongly influences plant behavior and performance. In the fields of agronomy, biostimulants, plant nutrition, and botanical extracts, their control is essential for:
• evaluating the efficacy of a biostimulant or growth regulator
• characterizing plant raw materials rich in phytohormones
• optimizing formulations based on natural extracts
• understanding plant adaptive responses under stress
• validating R&D approaches related to plant physiology and signaling

The quantification of auxins also allows us to study the overall hormonal balance, which is often crucial for the agronomic quality and vitality of plants.

Analytical methods: HPLC and LC-MS/MS

Auxin quantification requires very high sensitivity due to its low natural concentration in plant tissues. LC-MS/MS is the reference method, offering high selectivity and precise quantification, even in complex matrices rich in interfering compounds.

HPLC can also be used, particularly for purified extracts or routine analyses. Analytical methods generally include:
• targeted extraction of phytohormones (liquids, solids, SPE)
• purification to remove interfering compounds
• chromatographic separation allowing for precise identification
• quantification by mass spectrometry

These approaches guarantee a robust, reproducible measurement adapted to the requirements of research, agricultural production and the formulation of biostimulants.

Matrices analyzed and applications

Auxin dosage applies to various plant matrices and derived products: fresh tissues, leaves, roots, seeds, crude extracts, plant powders, fermentations, biostimulant formulations or natural agricultural inputs.

Applications include:
• evaluation of the hormonal activity of a biostimulant
• quality control of botanical extracts
• analysis of plant growth and development
• studies of phytohormone metabolism
• optimization of plant-derived nutraceutical formulations

YesWeLab Support

YesWeLab relies on an expert network of laboratories specializing in phytomolecular and chromatographic analyses, rigorously selected and compliant with ISO 17025 and COFRAC standards. Our scientific team supports you in choosing the most suitable methods, preparing samples, interpreting results, and implementing an analytical plan consistent with your technical or regulatory objectives.

Thanks to our digital platform, you can easily manage your analysis requests, track your samples, and access your reports. Since 2020, numerous biostimulant manufacturers, formulators, researchers, and producers of plant-based ingredients have trusted YesWeLab for the precise quantification of auxins.

Other analyses from the YesWeLab catalogue

• LC-MS/MS profile of phytohormones