Stability Testing Services
Aprofood brings core analytical expertise to the stability evaluation of peony-derived materials. Whether your product is peony pollen, wall-broken pollen, an extract or a finished formulation, we plan and run stability studies that follow how active compounds, nutrients and physical properties change during storage. The data can be used to set a reliable shelf life, choose packaging and storage conditions, and strengthen your product development and quality documentation.
What is Peony Pollen Stability Testing?
Peony pollen stability testing is the systematic evaluation of how peony pollen, wall-broken pollen, extracts and finished products change in quality during storage. Temperature, humidity, light and oxygen are the main factors that affect stability. Peony pollen is rich in flavonoids, polyphenols, proteins, amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids, and these components readily degrade through oxidation, moisture absorption and pigment loss. Wall-broken pollen has a larger exposed surface area, so it is generally less stable than intact pollen. Reliable stability data are essential for setting a shelf life, selecting packaging and confirming that a product still meets its label claims at the end of storage. Peony pollen stability testing can be used to:
- Determine the shelf life and recommended storage conditions of peony pollen products
- Identify the main degradation pathways, such as oxidation, moisture uptake and pigment loss
- Compare the stability of different batches, formulations and processing methods
- Support packaging selection and the setting of quality specifications
Our Service
Aprofood operates a well-established analytical platform together with a range of stability chambers, allowing every study to be run under controlled and fully traceable conditions. Each study is designed around your product type, target market and intended storage conditions, and key quality indicators are monitored at scheduled time points throughout the storage period. Our services include:
Long-Term Stability Study
Samples are stored under the intended storage conditions, such as room temperature or refrigeration, and tested at scheduled intervals. The results show how the content of active compounds and other quality indicators change over the real shelf life, and provide the most direct basis for setting an expiration date.
Accelerated Stability Study
Samples are stored at elevated temperature and humidity to speed up degradation, so that a shelf life estimate can be obtained in a shorter time. This is especially useful during product development, when different formulations or packaging options need to be compared quickly.
Forced Degradation and Stress Testing
Samples are exposed to extreme heat, humidity, oxidation, acid or alkali conditions to reveal degradation pathways and the weak points of the product. The data also help confirm that the analytical methods can detect changes in the target compounds.
Photostability Testing
Peony pollen contains flavonoids and pigments that can degrade under light. We expose samples to controlled light conditions and evaluate changes in color, active compound content and appearance, which helps you decide whether light-protective packaging is needed.
Packaging Compatibility and In-Use Stability
Different packaging materials provide different protection against moisture and oxygen. We compare stability in different containers, and evaluate changes after opening, such as caking, moisture absorption and microbial growth during repeated use by consumers.
Shelf-Life Evaluation and Reporting
Based on the collected data, we analyze degradation trends, estimate the shelf life and provide recommendations for storage conditions. The final report includes study design, raw data, charts and conclusions, which can be used for technical documentation.
Analytical Techniques
Aprofood relies on validated analytical platforms to measure the quality of peony pollen products throughout every stage of a stability study. Chromatographic and spectroscopic methods follow the content of active compounds and nutrients, while lipid oxidation, moisture and microbial indicators reveal how the product deteriorates during storage. Every technique is matched to a specific quality indicator and applied with identical procedures at each time point, so that results remain directly comparable. This allows even small changes in potency, composition and physical properties to be detected early and tracked accurately over the whole storage period.
| Analytical Technique |
Target Components |
Application |
| High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) |
Marker compounds, individual flavonoids and phenolic compounds |
Track the loss of potency and degradation of active compounds |
| Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) |
Trace-level flavonoids, phenolics and degradation products |
Identify degradation products and confirm degradation pathways |
| UV-Vis spectrophotometry |
Total flavonoids, total phenolics, total polysaccharides |
Monitor overall changes in active component content |
| Amino acid analysis (post-column derivatization cation-exchange chromatography) |
Free and total amino acids |
Evaluate the stability of nutritional components |
| Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) |
Fatty acid composition, volatile oxidation products |
Evaluate lipid oxidation and changes in fatty acid profile |
| Titration and colorimetric methods |
Acid value, peroxide value, p-anisidine value |
Evaluate rancidity risk during storage |
| Karl Fischer titration and water activity measurement |
Moisture content, water activity |
Monitor moisture uptake and microbial risk |
| Colorimetry and particle size analysis |
Color, particle size, caking |
Evaluate changes in appearance and handling properties |
| Microbiological methods |
Total plate count, yeast and mold |
Evaluate microbial safety during storage |
Our Workflow of Stability Testing Services
Advantages of Our Services
Peony-specific expertise
We focus on peony pollen and related materials, and understand how variety, origin, wall-breaking and processing affect the content of active compounds in each sample.
One sample, multiple results
Amino acids, fatty acids, trace elements, flavonoids and polysaccharides can be determined from a single sample submission, saving time, sample volume and cost.
Validated and traceable methods
Our methods are verified for linearity, sensitivity, precision and recovery, and every report includes method and quality control data for full traceability.
Flexible sample types
We handle raw pollen, wall-broken pollen, extracts, powders, tablets, capsules and beverages, with pretreatment adapted to each type of matrix.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What types of peony pollen products can you test for stability?
A1: We can test raw pollen, wall-broken pollen, pollen powders, extracts, tablets, capsules and beverages. Each product type degrades in its own way, so the study conditions and quality indicators are adapted to your sample. If your product is not listed, please contact us and we will evaluate the most suitable approach, including any special handling or packaging requirements.
Q2: Which storage conditions can you use?
A2: We run long-term, accelerated and refrigerated studies, as well as light exposure and freeze-thaw tests. Conditions are normally selected according to international guidelines and the climate zone of your target market. Customized temperature and humidity settings can also be arranged on request, so that the study reflects how your product is actually stored and shipped.
Q3: How long does a stability study take?
A3: The duration depends on the shelf life you wish to confirm, with long-term studies running from several months to several years. Accelerated studies usually take a few months and provide an early estimate of shelf life. The exact schedule and sampling time points are confirmed in the study plan, and interim results can be shared whenever you need them.
Q4: How much sample is required?
A4: The amount depends on the number of storage conditions, time points and quality indicators in the study. Enough material should be prepared for every time point, together with a small reserve for re-testing. We confirm the exact amount in the study plan before the project starts, so that no time point is missed because of insufficient material.
Q5: Can you help us choose the right packaging?
A5: Yes, we can store the same product in different packaging materials and compare changes in moisture, color and active compounds. The results show which packaging best protects the product during storage. This allows you to balance protection and cost before launch, and to avoid expensive packaging changes after the product reaches the market.
Aprofood designs every stability study around the specific characteristics of your product, because reliable data depend on more than storage conditions. Raw material quality, moisture content, wall-breaking treatment, packaging and the choice of quality indicators can all influence the results. By combining peony-specific experience with validated analytical methods, we deliver accurate and reproducible data on how your products change over time. To discuss your project needs or request a study plan and quotation, please feel free to contact us.
For Research Use Only.
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