Publications
Handbook on the CuCl2 crystallisation method (download pdf 13Mb)
N. Busscher and P. Doesburg, June 2024,
This handbook represents a milestone, providing a comprehensive account of the historical and contemporary insights into the biological and physical aspects of the CuCl2 method. As such, future research will have solid ground to stand on. This handbook represents a first step towards a discussion in a broader scientific context, bridging the present gap to the ‘conventional’ crystallisation research.
Multidimensional Outcome Parameters in a Cress Seedling—CuCl2 Crystallization Assay to Corroborate Speci?c Effects of Stannum metallicum 30x Compared to Lactose 30x
Doesburg, P., J-O. Andersen, C. Scherr, M. O. Kokornaczyk, S. Baumgartner (2024), Homeopathy.
In this second of four articles, we demonstrate how three new, independent outcome parameters can provide further proof and details about the specific effects of a tin D30 preparation (nominal dilution 10-30 of the original substance). This manuscript is the foundation for the two following articles, where we investigate whether cell phone radiation and autoclavation impair the biological effectiveness of Tin D30.
Kinesthetic engagement in Gestalt evaluation outscores analytical ‘atomic feature’ evaluation in perceiving aging in crystallization images of agricultural products
Doesburg, P., J. Fritz, M. Athmann, R. Bornhütter, N. Busscher, U. Geier, G. Mergardt, C. Scherr (2021) PLoS ONE, March 2021
In this publication we show that crystallisation pictures of wheat and rocket lettuce extracts, exhibiting four levels of induced degradation, can visually be ranked correctly according to the degree of degradation. Ranking improved when the panel members took the whole picture into consideration (an empathic perception) instead of solely looking at details (analytical perception).
Crystallization patterns of an aqueous dihydrate cupric chloride solution in the presence of different amounts of Bovine Serum Albumin
Busscher, N., P. Doesburg, G. Mergardt, A. Sokol, J. Kahl, A. Ploeger (2020) Journal of Crystal Growth, Volume 529, January 2020
Different combinations of protein and CuCl2 yield distinct patterns, which could be visually described and analytically verified. This allows a better understanding of the factors influencing crystallisation pattern formation.
Empirical investigation of preparations produced according to the European Pharmacopoeia monograph 1038
Doesburg, P., J.-O. Andersen, C. Scherr, S. Baumgartner (2019) European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 137, September 2019, 104987
In this first of four articles, we report on the reproducibility of specific biological effects of an ultramolecular homeopathic Tin D30 preparation (nominal dilution 10-30 of the original substance). These ground-breaking results point to a promising potential of the method to contribute to basic homeopathic research, as well as to the homeopathic practise of companies.
Comparative effect of supercritical carbon dioxide and high pressure processing on structural changes and activity loss of oxidoreductive enzymes.
Marszałeka, K., P. Doesburg, S. Starzonek, J. Szczepańska, Ł. Woźniak, J.M. Lorenzo, S. Skąpska, S. Rzoska, F.J. Barba (2019). Journal of CO2 Utilization vol. 29.
Two innovative food preservation techniques were applied to two different enzymes, each resulting in an inactivation/decreased activity of the enzymes. The crystallisation fingerprint method was able to differentiate the untreated samples from either of the two treatments. These results are promising and confirm the potential of the method to be applied to a wide range of different products and research questions.
Influence of dewetting on the crystallization behavior of CuCl2 in the presence of BSA during evaporation in a Petri dish.
Busscher, N., P. Doesburg, G. Mergardt, A. Sokol, J. Kahl, A. Ploeger (2019). Heliyon Volume 5, Issue 1, e01102.
Physics underlying the formation of the crystallization image.
Advanced panel training on visual Gestalt evaluation of biocrystallization images: ranking wheat samples from different extract decomposition stages and different production systems.
Fritz, J., M. Athmann, J-O. Andersen, P. Doesburg, U. Geier, G. Mergardt (2018). Biological Agriculture & Horticulture 35 (1) 21-32.
Crystallization images of wheat samples from Biological and Biodynamic cultivation appear to be able to maintain their crystallisation structure better after a stress test than wheat samples of conventional origin.
Systematic Review of Plant-Based Homeopathic Basic Research: An Update.
Ücker, A., S. Baumgartner, A, Sokol, R. Huber, P. Doesburg, T. Jäger (2018). Homeopathy.
Plant-based test systems are frequently used to investigate possible effects of homeopathic preparations. This article reviews publications on such test systems with regard to publication quality, reproducibility and potential for further research.
Examination of specific effects of different homeopathic preparations on cress seedlings with a CuCl2-biocrystallization assay.
Sokol, AM., P. Doesburg, C. Scherr, S. Baumgartner. Proceedings of the XXX GIRI Meeting; 2016 Sep 09-11; Netherland. International Journal of High Dilution Research 15(4), 10-10.
Article within the framework of a PhD research that describes the extent to which different homeopathic preparations can be distinguished by means of the crystallization method, as this is not possible with conventional compound analysis.
Application of Crystallization with Additives to Cloudy and Clear Apple Juice.
Kahl, J., N. Busscher, P. Doesburg, G. Mergardt, F. Will, V. Schulzova, J. Hajslova, A. Ploeger (2016). Food Analytical Methods.
This article researches the effect of apple juice processing (turbid versus clear juice) at the substance level (HPLC) and with respect to structural changes in crystallization images. This project is a first attempt to bridge the gap between the biocrystallisation method and health research.
Standardization and Performance Test of Crystallization with Additives Applied to Wheat Samples.
Kahl, J., N. Busscher, G. Mergardt, J-O. Andersen, P. Doesburg, A. Arlai, A. Ploeger (2015). Food Analytical Methods
Described is the standardization of the crystallization procedure for wheat samples from different origins and varieties, including the identification of factors of influence. Comparisons between different laboratories indicate that the method is transferable.
Laboratory intercomparison for biocrystallization (crystallization with additives) applied to different wheat varieties.
Kahl, J., J-O. Andersen, M. Athmann, N. Busscher, P. Doesburg, J. Fritz, U. Geier, G. Mergardt (2015). Elemente der Naturwissenschaft 102, 5-13.
This article describes a series of laboratory intercomparisons conducted in five European laboratories. Coded samples from different wheat varieties could be grouped correctly according to variety in all the five laboratories based on a visual evaluation of the crystallization patterns using defined criteria.
Standardization and performance of a visual Gestalt evaluation of biocrystallization patterns reflecting ripening and decomposition processes in food samples.
Doesburg, P., M. Huber, J-O. Andersen, M. Athmann, G. van der Bie, J. Fritz, U. Geier, J. Hoekman, J. Kahl, G. Mergardt & N. Busscher (2014). Biological Agriculture & Horticulture, 31(2), 128-145.
This manuscript reports on the development and application of a standardized method to visually characterize 'Gestalts', salient, 'meaningful-wholes' in biocrystallization images that have a relationship to plant physiological processes. Herewith a panel succeeded in a correct ranking of biocrystallization images obtained from diverse agricultural products according to the intensity of the degree of 'Ageing' and 'Ripening'. This developed level of evaluation provides a basis towards food quality judgements relating to plant-physiological processes.
BSc thesis J. Zandbergen Wageningen University in collaboration with Crystal Lab.
Characterising the effect of Röntgen-radiation levels on germinating cress seeds by means of the biocrystallization method (2014) (download pdf 13Mb)
Thesis carried out in the framework of the project: X-ray detection in the food industry; determining the effect of X-ray radiation on the germination of cress seeds.
Master thesis D. Abel, TU Berlin, in collaboration with Crystal Lab.
Evaluation of picture forming methods compared to standard analytical methods for detection of structural changes caused by different thermal and non-thermal treatments of raw bovine milk (2013) (download pdf 8Mb)
Development of a structural image analysis approach on structures from CuCl2.2H2O crystallization with agricultural products.
Doesburg, P. and A.F.M. Nierop (2013). Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 90, 63–67.
In this article the development of a structure analysis algorithm is described and discussed which allows a quantification of the crystallization structures by computing 15 width-, and length-parameters.
Development of a biocrystallisation method for examining effects of homeopathic preparations on germinating cress seeds.
Baumgartner, S., P. Doesburg, C. Scherr, J-O. Andersen (2012). Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine vol. 2012, Article ID 125945.
We developed a cress seedling, crystallisation fingerprint test-system with which we found very strong evidence for specific biological effects of a potentised Tin D30 solution (nominal dilution of 10-30 of the original substance), relative to water D30.
Standardization of the Steigbild Method
Zalecka, A., J. Kahl, P. Doesburg, B. Pyskow, M.A.S. Huber, K. Skjerbaek, A. Ploeger (2010). Biological Agriculture & Horticulture 27(1), 41-57.
Standardization of the biocrystallization method for carrot samples.
Busscher, N., J. Kahl, J.O. Andersen, M.A.S. Huber, G. Mergardt, P. Doesburg, M. Paulsen, A. Ploeger (2010). Biological Agriculture & Horticulture 27(1), 1-23.
Discrimination between organically and conventionally grown winter wheat farm pair samples using the copper chloride crystallisation method in combination with computerised image analysis.
Szulc, M., J. Kahl, N. Busscher, G. Mergardt, P. Doesburg, A. Ploeger (2010). Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 74, 218-222.
Evaporation influences on the crystallization of an aqueous dihydrate cupric chloride solution with additives.
Busscher, N., J. Kahl, P. Doesburg, G. Mergardt, A. Ploeger (2010). Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 334(2), 556-562.
Validation of the Visual Evaluation of Biocrystallizations. Development of a reliable and valid instrument for visual evaluation according to ISO-Norms for sensory analyses.
Huber, M., J.-O. Andersen, J. Kahl, N. Busscher, P. Doesburg, G. Mergardt, S. Kretschmer, A. Zalecka, A. Meelursarn, A. Ploeger, D. Nierop, L. van de Vijver, E. Baars (2010). Biological Agriculture & Horticulture, 27 (1), 25-40.
First tests of standardized biocrystallization on milk and milk products.
Kahl, J., N. Busscher, P. Doesburg, G. Mergardt, M.A.S. Huber, A. Ploeger (2009). European Food Research and Technology, 175-178.
Biocrystallisation and Steigbild: Results at Louis Bolk Instituut.
Doesburg, P., M.A.S. Huber (2007). Elemente der Naturwissenschaft. 87, 118-123.
Measuring food quality: concepts, methods and challenges: Proceedings seminar Februari 2007.
Vijver, L.P.L. van de, M.A.S. Huber, P. Doesburg, J.H. Nielsen, G. Wyss, J.R. Bloksma, R. Adriaansen-Tennekes, A. Diveky-Ertsey, C. Hoefkens, S.G. Ivanova-Peneva, D. Kusche, S. Manasievska-Simiae, M. Sikora, Katarz (ed.) 2007. Proc. 12-14 Februari 2007, Louis Bolk Instituut, Driebergen.
The capillary dynamolysis method as a characterized tool for crop quality determination.
Zalecka, A., K. Skjerbaek, P. Doesburg, B. Pyskow, M.A.S. Huber, J. Kahl, A. Ploeger (2006). p. 636-637. In European joint organic congress. Odense/DK. 30-31 may 2006.