Bio-organic mass spectrometry

Organisation profile:Research is performed in two main areas: structural characterisation of biomolecules and organic chemical analysis of carbonaceous atmospheric aerosols. 1. With regard to research on biomolecules, mass spectrometric methods are developed for the structural characterization of organic compounds that are biologically active or that are relevant because of their climatic effects. The methods are based on the use of a soft ionisation technique, i.e. electrospray ionisation, in combination with collision-induced dissociation and tandem mass spectrometry. Methodology is available for the structural analysis of the following biomolecules: lipids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, flavonoids and saponins, as well as for the study of the interaction between haem and antimalarial agents of the indoloquinoline and artemisinin types. Current research focuses on the development of methods for the structural analysis of flavonoid glycosides. 2. With regard to organic chemical analysis of carbonaceous atmospheric aerosols, methods are being developed for the determination of indicator compounds that can provide valuable information on aerosol sources and source processes. Use is made of gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry in combination with suitable sample workup that generally consists of extraction and derivatisation. More specifically, methods are available for the determination of (1) levoglucosan, a marker for biomass burning, (2) several photo-oxidation products of isoprene and ¿-pinene, and (3) arabitol and mannitol, markers for fungal spores. In addition, attention is given to the structural characterization of unknown molecules. The research is done in close collaboration with the research group Tropospheric Aerosol Research and Nuclear Microanalysis (W. Maenhaut, Department Analytical Chemistry, UGent). Current research in collaboration with foreign research groups deals with: - Characterisation of photo-oxidation products of isoprene, alfa-pinene and toluene; - Determination of photo-oxidation products of isoprene in rural aerosols; and - Determination of arabitol and mannitol in urban aerosols.

Keywords:ISOPRENE LIPIDS, AEROSOL PARTICLES, STRUCTURAL STUDIES, MASS SPECTROMETRY, FLAVONOIDS, PHOTO-OXIDATION, ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOLS, MONOTERPENES

Disciplines:Analytical chemistry, Organic chemistry, Sustainable chemistry, Aquatic sciences, challenges and pollution, Environmental science and management