Best of the Week: Metabolic Risks in Horses, Market Health for Instrument Vendors

This week, LCGC International published a variety of articles on hot topics in separation science. Some of the articles included in this week’s update explore topics such as the metabolic risk in horses, the bioactivities in chili pepper varieties, and a report on the analytical instrument market for Q2 2025. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular articles that were published this week.

GC-MS Analysis Sheds Light on Metabolic Risks in Japan’s Native Noma Horses

A recent study published in the Journal of Equine Sciences investigated neonatal deaths among Noma horses, which are a rare Japanese breed with fewer than 100 individuals (1). In the study, a team of researchers from Japan and Vietnam examined 12 foals, six healthy and six deceased, using blood tests, amino acid profiling, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and genetic sequencing (1). The results showed metabolic abnormalities, including elevated ammonia, uracil, and orotic acid levels, suggesting urea cycle dysfunction, as well as signs of glycogen storage disease and hypertyrosinemia (1). However, no genetic mutations were identified in candidate genes. The study highlights the need for broader genomic analysis to clarify causes and safeguard conservation efforts.

Analytical Instrument Vendors Post Strong Q2 2025 Growth Driven by Pharma and Chemical Demand

In this report from associate editorial director Caroline Hroncich, she discusses the growth of the analytical instrument sector in Q2 2025. The report details how this growth was driven by pharmaceutical, environmental, and chemical research demand, with major suppliers reporting increased revenues. Liquid chromatography (LC), gas chromatography (GC), and mass spectrometry (MS) sales contributed significantly to revenue growth, supported by consumables and recurring revenue (2). Despite economic uncertainties, laboratories invest in high-throughput analysis tools and regulatory-compliant workflows, highlighting the sector's resilience (2). Advancements in automation, software integration, and service support enable efficient data management and compliance, supporting modern laboratory operations (2).

Phytochemical Profiles and Multifunctional Bioactivities of Chili Pepper Varieties Assessed by UHPLC-q-TOF-MS

Chili peppers contain bioactive compounds with potential health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, relevant to diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes. In this interview, we spoke with Aristeidis S. Tsagkaris, who is an associate professor in the Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague (Czech Republic), about how UHPLC-qTOF-MS can offer enhanced resolution and sensitivity for profiling complex plant extracts, aiding in the identification of phytochemicals in Capsicum spp (3). Tsagkairs discusses how ethanol extracts of chili peppers demonstrated higher antioxidant activity than aqueous extracts, emphasizing the role of solvent polarity in compound extraction (3). Suspect screening in chromatography allows for the identification of known compounds without analytical standards, enhancing throughput and discovery potential (3).

Able Laboratories Fraud Case: What Have We Learnt?

The Able Laboratories fraud case exposed severe data integrity issues, emphasizing the need for robust quality control and management oversight in regulated laboratories. Despite extensive regulatory guidance, data falsification and manipulation remain prevalent, highlighting ongoing challenges in ensuring data integrity (4). Senior management plays a crucial role in data governance, and their failure to prioritize data integrity can lead to significant regulatory and legal consequences (4). The pharmaceutical industry continues to face regulatory citations, necessitating more stringent compliance measures and oversight to prevent unethical practices. This “Questions of Quality” explores this case more in depth and its lasting impact on quality assurance and compliance.

The LCGC Blog: Charting My Chemistry Journey—From Undergraduate LC to Industry GC×GC

In this LCGC Blog, Lina Mikaliunaite documents her journey from Lithuania to the United States to study chemistry at Pepperdine University, where early research opportunities in liquid chromatography ignited a passion for separations science. Mikaliunaite discusses how she gained extensive undergraduate research experience, attended ACS conferences, and published her first paper, which led to pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Washington under Robert Synovec, focusing on comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) (5). Transitioning from academia to industry, she joined Markes as an application chemist, expanding into thermal desorption and applied problem-solving (5). Her journey highlights the impact of early mentorship, adaptability, and dedication to advancing separation science.

References

1. Chasse, J. GC-MS Analysis Sheds Light on Metabolic Risks in Japan’s Native Noma Horses. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/gc-ms-analysis-sheds-light-on-metabolic-risks-in-japan-s-native-noma-horses (accessed 2025-08-27).
2. Hroncich, C. Analytical Instrument Vendors Post Strong Q2 2025 Growth Driven by Pharma and Chemical Demand. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/analytical-instrument-vendors-q2-2025-pharma-chemical-growth (accessed 2025-08-27).
3. Chasse, J. Phytochemical Profiles and Multifunctional Bioactivities of Chili Pepper Varieties Assessed by UHPLC-q-TOF-MS. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/phytochemical-profiles-and-multifunctional-bioactivities-of-chili-pepper-varieties-assessed-by-uhplc-q-tof-ms (accessed 2025-08-27).
4. McDowall, R. D. Able Laboratories Fraud Case: What Have We Learnt? LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/able-laboratories-fraud-case-what-have-we-learnt- (accessed 2025-08-27).
5. Mikaliunaite, L. The LCGC Blog: Charting My Chemistry Journey—From Undergraduate LC to Industry GC×GC. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/the-lcgc-blog-charting-my-chemistry-journey-from-undergraduate-lc-to-industry-gc-gc (accessed 2025-08-27).