Metabolism studies

Metabolism studies allow us to identify, quantify, and characterize the 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 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.
• LC-MS coupled mass spectrometry : precise identification and quantification of 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, metabolism, excretion).

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

To learn more, also check out:

• the measurement 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 biotechnology : identification of secondary metabolites produced by the plant after exposure to stress or treatment.
• Agri-food : 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 that could alter the effectiveness of a substance or generate undesirable by-products.

Analytical interest and complementarity

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

• Analysis of metabolic enzymes to track the catalytic reactions involved;
• UV-Visible spectroscopy to study the absorption variations 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 metabolites formed.

These integrated approaches make it possible to link chemical and biological data for a comprehensive assessment of the metabolic fate of a substance.

YesWeLab Services

YesWeLab provides you with a network of partner laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 and/or COFRAC , specializing in chromatographic, biological, and metabolic analyses .
Our experts work with you to define the experimental protocol best suited to your objective: metabolite identification, bioavailability assessment, safety study, or degradation monitoring.

Thanks to the YesWeLab digital platform , you can centralize your analysis requests, track your samples, and access your reports online. Since 2020, YesWeLab has been supporting nutraceutical, animal nutrition, and food industry companies with their metabolic and biological studies.

For any specific request or quote, contact our scientific team today.