Metabolism studies

Metabolism studies allow the identification, quantification and characterization of metabolites resulting from the transformation of a substance by a living organism. These metabolites are the intermediate or final products resulting from the processes of bioavailability, biotransformation and excretion .

These analyses are essential for understanding the fate of an active compound—whether it is a nutrient, additive, plant extract, or functional ingredient—after its administration to an organism, cell, or enzyme system.
They provide key data for assessing the safety, efficacy, and biological stability of a molecule.

Analytical methods used

Metabolism studies rely on cutting-edge analytical approaches to identify endogenous and exogenous compounds in biological matrices:

• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) : separation of metabolites according to their polarity and molecular mass.
• Coupled mass spectrometry (LC-MS) : precise identification and quantification of the metabolites formed, even at very low concentrations.
• In vitro enzymatic analyses : study of biotransformation by specific enzymes (cytochromes P450, oxidases, reductases).
• Cellular and animal models : observation of complete metabolism (absorption, distribution, metabolization, excretion).

These methods provide a complete view of the metabolic profile of a compound and its potential interactions with the biological environment.

To learn more, also discover:

• the dosage of secondary metabolites by HPLC ,
• LC-MS/MS analysis for targeted identification,
• or the OECD 417 test – In vivo metabolism study for regulated substances.

Industrial applications

Metabolism studies are essential in several sectors:

• Nutraceuticals and food supplements : evaluation of the bioavailability and fate of natural active ingredients (polyphenols, flavonoids, amino acids).
• Animal nutrition : monitoring the metabolism of additives and nutrients in livestock species to ensure their safety.
• Plants and biotechnologies : identification of secondary metabolites produced by the plant after exposure to stress or treatment.
• Food industry : understanding the metabolic transformations of ingredients or contaminants after ingestion.
• Cosmetics and health : study of the cutaneous or systemic metabolism of bioactive molecules to assess safety of use.

These analyses make it possible to anticipate metabolic reactions likely to alter the effectiveness of a substance or generate undesirable by-products.

Analytical interest and complementarity

The study of metabolism can be associated with other analyses for a global understanding of the biological behavior of a molecule:

• Analysis of metabolic enzymes to monitor the catalytic reactions involved;
• UV-Visible spectroscopy to study variations in absorption of metabolites;
• Antioxidant assay to correlate antioxidant potential and metabolic profile;
• Study of stability and accelerated c to observe the effects of time on chemical transformations;
• In vitro toxicity analysis to assess the safety of the formed metabolites.

These integrated approaches allow chemical and biological data to be linked for a comprehensive assessment of the metabolic fate of a substance.

YesWeLab Services

YesWeLab provides you with a network of ISO 17025 and/or COFRAC , specialized in chromatographic, biological and metabolic analyses .
Our experts will work with you to define the experimental protocol adapted to your objective: identification of metabolites, evaluation of bioavailability, safety study or degradation monitoring.

Thanks to the YesWeLab digital platform , you can centralize your analysis requests, track your samples and consult your reports online. Since 2020, YesWeLab has been supporting nutraceutical, animal nutrition and agri-food manufacturers in their metabolic and biological studies.

For any specific requests or quotes, contact our scientific team today.