chromnil

A ready-to-use, low-cost Instrument for food and product screening

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Vials in a laboratory

An all in one HPTLC instrument … and beyond

An all-in-one instrument to qualitatively and quantitatively screen your sample on its compounds or effects. It combines five key processes from high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and effect-directed analysis in one system and can be allocated and configured to your needs.

Application

Development

Derivatization

Incubation

Detection

The application step in HPTLC involves the precise and controlled deposition of sample solutions onto the 10x10 cm chromatographic plate. Using an automated sample applicator, samples are applied as narrow bands or spots to ensure uniform distribution and reproducibility. Proper sample application is critical for achieving sharp and well-resolved chromatographic zones, which directly influences the separation efficiency and quantification accuracy in subsequent steps. Chromnil One has a rack that can store up to 9 samples with 1-2 ml each. Choose between a rack that fits reusable glass vials or one-way plastic vials.

Application

Development

Derivatization

Incubation

Detection

The application step in HPTLC involves the precise and controlled deposition of sample solutions onto the 10x10 cm chromatographic plate. Using an automated sample applicator, samples are applied as narrow bands or spots to ensure uniform distribution and reproducibility. Proper sample application is critical for achieving sharp and well-resolved chromatographic zones, which directly influences the separation efficiency and quantification accuracy in subsequent steps. Chromnil One has a rack that can store up to 9 samples with 1-2 ml each. Choose between a rack that fits reusable glass vials or one-way plastic vials.

Without compromises

Compact

Compact

Requiring only around 0.5 m2, its compact size facilitates integration into existing laboratories

Intuitive and user centered

Intuitive and user centered

The system and its software are built to minimize faulty machine operation. The intuitive and comprehensible user interface guides you through the steps and your process

Quantitative assessment

Quantitative assessment

The 12 MP camera and the highly automated process and evaluation of your sample allow for quantitative, repeatable assessment

Time saving

Time saving

Highly automated processes within one instrument minimize the user's time required during the analysis

Sustainable

Sustainable

Requiring only minimal sample preparation and solution, HPTLC is a highly attractive and sustainable separation method. In addition, chromnil only requires a fraction of the material compared to state of the art instruments.

Low cost

Low cost

Around five times cheaper than current state of the art competitors

What you get

Hardware - Ready to use

We bring to you the assembled system, configured to your needs

Software - Automated updates

The software will get updated regularly to ensure optimal performance

Service

We offer fast and reliable system service when the system malfunctions or gets damaged

Support

Training and continuous support help you operate the system as a efficient as possible

Countless applications

Food and environmental analysis

Detection of allergens, toxins or pathogenic microorganisms

⁠Authenticity test and proof of falsification

Water and environmental monitoring: detection of pollutants and biological contaminants

Food and environmental analysis

Detection of allergens, toxins or pathogenic microorganisms

⁠Authenticity test and proof of falsification

Water and environmental monitoring: detection of pollutants and biological contaminants

Food and environmental analysis

Detection of allergens, toxins or pathogenic microorganisms

⁠Authenticity test and proof of falsification

Water and environmental monitoring: detection of pollutants and biological contaminants

Cosmetics

Investigation of ingredients (e.g. UV protection, preservatives, dyes)

Identification and detection of plant extracts or vitamins

Quality control of products (e.g. fatty acids and lipids)

Cosmetics

Investigation of ingredients (e.g. UV protection, preservatives, dyes)

Identification and detection of plant extracts or vitamins

Quality control of products (e.g. fatty acids and lipids)

Cosmetics

Investigation of ingredients (e.g. UV protection, preservatives, dyes)

Identification and detection of plant extracts or vitamins

Quality control of products (e.g. fatty acids and lipids)

Pharmaceutics

I⁠dentify and qualify complex plant extracts

Screening of drugs: identification of new active ingredients through interactions with target proteins

Quality control of ingredients to detect impurities

Pharmaceutics

I⁠dentify and qualify complex plant extracts

Screening of drugs: identification of new active ingredients through interactions with target proteins

Quality control of ingredients to detect impurities

Pharmaceutics

I⁠dentify and qualify complex plant extracts

Screening of drugs: identification of new active ingredients through interactions with target proteins

Quality control of ingredients to detect impurities

Forensics

Fast and easy on-site examinations of biological samples (e.g. drugs, blood, urin)

⁠Detection of counterfeit medicines

Forensics

Fast and easy on-site examinations of biological samples (e.g. drugs, blood, urin)

⁠Detection of counterfeit medicines

Forensics

Fast and easy on-site examinations of biological samples (e.g. drugs, blood, urin)

⁠Detection of counterfeit medicines

Academics

Research into existing or new products

Education in the areas above or the underlying separation and bioassay technology with fast visualization and results

Academics

Research into existing or new products

Education in the areas above or the underlying separation and bioassay technology with fast visualization and results

Academics

Research into existing or new products

Education in the areas above or the underlying separation and bioassay technology with fast visualization and results

Based on 10 years of academic development

Chromnil's developments are based on the 2LabsToGo system, an innovative open-source instrument that proves low-cost, high-quality analysis is possible.

As the instrument results from an academic project, you have to produce it yourself, i.e., order parts, manufacture, assemble, calibrate, repair, and update the system. This is a major burden for most laboratories or individuals who don't have the human resources, equipment, or engineering skills.

Competitive results

Comparison of repeatability (10.0 µL each) and analytical response (1.5, 2.5, 4.0, 5.0, 6.5, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 17.5, 20.0, and 25.0 µL) for EC via the 2LabsToGo system versus conventional status quo HPTLC instruments, applied as 4 mm × 5 mm area on the HPTLC plate silica gel 60 NH2, developed with ethanol – toluene 4:1 (V/V) up to a migration distance of 40 mm, detected at 255 nm (2LabsToGo system) or 254 nm (status quo TLC Visualizer 2) after fluorescence enhancement with n-hexane – paraffin oil 2:1 (V/V) and evaluated using open-source quanTLC software; the strong fluorescence on the start area is caused by the gallic acid used as antioxidant in the extraction buffer; the blue background can be adjusted to black in the latest updated software (not used here).

Figure from Kevin Jakob, Wolfgang Schwack, Gertrud E. Morlock, All-in-one 2LabsToGo system for analysis of ergot alkaloids in whole rye, Food Chemistry (Volume 453, 2024), under CC BY 4.0 license. link

chromnil one

chromnil one

Coming in Q4 2025

A further developed all-in-one instrument, ready to use, easy to use.

A further developed all-in-one instrument, ready to use, easy to use.

A further developed all-in-one instrument, ready to use, easy to use.

Questions?

Questions?

Questions?

Contact us!

A swiss startup

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A swiss startup
supported by

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