Announcing the Launch of BioLab 1: Polytech’s Revolutionary Antioxidant Measuring Device

Larisa, 19.4.2016

Polytech is thrilled to unveil its latest innovation, BioLab 1, a compact, user-friendly, and portable lab kit designed to measure the antioxidant capacity of drinks and beverages. This state-of-the-art set includes all necessary equipment and a specially developed application to guide users through each step of the testing procedure.

Free radicals are unstable molecules formed naturally in the body during exercise and energy conversion, as well as through exposure to environmental sources like cigarette smoke, air pollution, and sunlight. These free radicals can cause oxidative stress, leading to cell damage and contributing to diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration. Antioxidants, whether man-made or natural, help prevent or delay cell damage by counteracting oxidative stress. Examples of antioxidants include vitamins C and E, selenium, and carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Diets rich in vegetables and fruits, which are excellent sources of antioxidants, are widely recognized for their health benefits.

BioLab 1 aims to provide the scientific community and the market with an accessible, low-cost tool for accurately estimating the antioxidant effect of everyday beverages like coffee, tea, juices, wine, beer, and sodas. Utilizing the DPPH technique, this kit offers high accuracy results in a simplified method.

Designed for the food and beverage industry—including producers, bottlers, and distributors—BioLab 1 facilitates internal testing, measurement, and determination of antioxidant capacity. This helps maintain and improve product quality by providing essential antioxidant data.

The BioLab 1 kit includes:

  • An aluminum profile briefcase housing the portable lab tester.
  • Instruments needed for testing, including:
  • Falcon tube holders.
  • A battery-operated small stirrer (removable batteries).
  • Eppendorf tubes (2 ml) holders.
  • Bottle holders and reusable 50 ml bottles (4 pieces).
  • A colorimeter.
  • An Android pad* with the BioLab V1.0 application for step-by-step process management.

Additionally, the kit comes with:

  • One variable volume pipette (20-200 µl).
  • One variable volume pipette (100-1000 µl).
  • 40 pipette tips.
  • 100 Eppendorf 2 ml mini tubes.

*Note: The Android pad is optional. Users can purchase their own, provided it runs on Android 4.4 or later and has 4GB memory.

Dimensions: 38.5 cm x 27 cm x 12.5 cm
Weight: 3.0 kg (including pad)
Power: Battery and USB port operated

BioLab V1.0, developed jointly by Polytech and Professor Dimitris Kouretas, facilitates all testing tasks, including inventory management, step-by-step guidance, result recording and evaluation, and report generation.

Key features include:

  • A versatile database for products, categories, types, samples, and reference values.
  • Timers and time stamps for precise measurement tracking.
  • Online test value recording and acceptance.
  • Cross-references and an online help menu.
  • Internet links to relevant libraries or documentation sites.
  • User-friendly GUI with error-proof processes.
  • Alarms for test results that fall outside reference values.

To perform the tests, the following consumables are required, with initial quantities included in the BioLab 1 kit:

  1. Methanol – 150 ml.
  2. Pipette tips – 40 pieces.
  3. DPPH – Supplied exclusively by Polytech, requiring special cold storage (2°C to 8°C). Delivered in 15 ml falcon tubes with ice packs, it is usable for 24 hours post-refrigeration. Each tube, when mixed with methanol, supports up to 30 sample tests per day.
  4. Eppendorf tubes – 50 pieces.

Polytech is committed to innovation and excellence, and BioLab 1 is a testament to this dedication. With its combination of cutting-edge technology, affordability, and ease of use, BioLab 1 is set to revolutionize the way we measure and understand the antioxidant capacity of beverages. Stay tuned for more updates and explore the benefits of BioLab 1 in maintaining and improving product quality in the food and beverage industry.