Project

Integrated versatile platform for sample preparation, 2D gas chromatographic separation and Orbitrap mass spectrometric identification and quantification of (semi-)volatile organic compounds in environmental, food and biological samples

Code
3I010522
Duration
01 May 2022 → 30 April 2026
Funding
Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
Promotor-spokesperson
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Analytical separation and detection techniques
    • Environmental chemistry
  • Engineering and technology
    • Environmental technologies
  • Agricultural and food sciences
    • Agricultural plant protection
    • Food packaging, preservation and safety
Keywords
Orbitrap high resolution MS trace analysis (semi-)VOCs comprehensive GCxGC separation versatile sample preparation
 
Project description

The understanding of the function, fate and behavior of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, (semi-)VOCs, in natural and technical environments is crucial to cope with several challenges related to sustainable development (SDGs) we face today in our society. Many of these compounds are important air and water contaminants and pose a significant threat to health and environment. They are also defense-related secondary metabolites in plants playing a crucial role in growth, stress tolerance and crop yield in primary production. In food products, they serve as early indicators for microbial spoilage or lipid oxidation which is essential to assure safe food preservation and avoidance of food spillage. To gain fundamental understanding in the underlying molecular processes, it is necessary to assure reliable (semi-)VOCs identification and quantification in diverse and complex matrices at (ultra-)trace concentration levels. To push current frontiers of knowledge towards higher levels in the envisaged multidisciplinary research, an integrated and versatile analytical platform is needed that enables automated and standardized sample preparation, comprehensive two-dimensional chromatographic separation and high resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometric detection of (semi-)VOCs in environmental, food and biological matrices.