Secondary Metabolite analytics

We use Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to resolve various analytical questions ranging from quantification up to structure elucidation.

Especially hydrocarbons such as fatty acids from oil plants or algae or terpenes from herbs have recently been focussed with this platform. The fatty acids are determined via their methylesters (FAME) utilizing GC-MS. Monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and diterpenes can be identified and quantified by GC-MS. For identification of unknown compounds, a NIST mass spectral library providing reference mass spectra for GC/MS (by electron ionization) is available. To provide further details for the cell wall characterization, Lignin composition can be analysed using pyrolysis GC-MS.

Targeted analysis of a wide range of secondary metabolites (e.g. sugars, organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoid(s) glycosides, glucosinolates, alkaloid(s) glycosides) are quantitatively determined by LC-MS/MS using specific precursor/product ion pairs. Amino acids can be analysed by LC-MS/MS without derivatization using a cationic exchange column. Structure elucidation of unknown compounds in the frame of metabolomics is enabled by LC-MS/MS obtaining daughter ion spectra and their matching with mass spectral libraries.