31571 - Phytoderivative Analysis II

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student possesses an advanced theoretical and practical knowledge to carry out phytoderivative analysis. In particular, the student learns the analytical characteristics of active compounds in different types of phytoderivatives and related products, the most proper techniques and methods to perform a reliable quali-quantitative analysis, by means of lectures and single seat laboratory activities.

Course contents

Principles, aims and problems of the advanced phytoderivative analysis. Peculiar characteristics of the instrumental analysis applied to herbal matrices and related products.

Method validation referred to application to phytoderivatives: validation parameters according to the international guidelines.

Instrumental separation techniques: liquid chromatography (HPLC, UHPLC, and nano-LC), gas chromatography (GC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Specific principles of each analytical technique and instrumentations. Application to phytoderivatives and related products.

Types of detection, principles of their operation, coupling to separation techniques and effects on analytical performance.

UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy: instrumentation, quantitative analysis, spectrophotometry. Applications to phytoderivative quali-quantitative analysis.

Molecular fluorescence spectroscopy: instrumentation, quantitative analysis, analysis by quenching. Coupling to separative techniques: native fluorescence and after derivatization. Applications to phytoderivative analysis.

Mass spectrometry: ionization techniques (ESI, APCI, MALDI), types of sources, mass analyzers (QqQ, TOF, Iontrap, Orbitrap) and acquisition Mode (SRM, MRM). Analysis of samples of different origin and composition.

Sampling method and pretreatment, particularly innovative and miniaturized ones, of matrices obtained from phytoderivatives: S/L extraction, L/L extraction, solid phase extraction (SPE), MicroExtraction by Packed Sorbent (MEPS).

Readings/Bibliography

Slides presented and discussed during the course.
Papers from the scientific literature presented and discussed during the course.
Handout of the laboratory experiments.

ONLY FOR CONSULTATION:
Holler J.F., Crouch S.R. “Fondamenti di Chimica Analitica” di Skoog & West, EdiSES s.r.l., 2015.

Skoog D.A., Holler J.F., Crouch S.R., Sabbatini L. “Chimica Analitica Strumentale”, EdiSES s.r.l., 2009.

Hage D.S., Carr J.D. "Chimica Analitica e Analisi Quantitativa", Piccin, 2012.

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures (32 h, 4CFU) during which the main instrumental techniques and methods required for the analysis phytoderivatives are discussed. The course deals also with single seat laboratory activities (36 h, 3 CFU), during which the student prepares a laboratory notebook. The laboratory activities offer the student the opportunity of carrying out different types of advanced analysis for identification and quantitation of the compounds of interest in phytoderivatives and related products, by firsthand using the techniques and methodologies required to perform such analyses.

Assessment methods

The assessment of the learning aims to assess practical skills and theoretical knowledge acquired by the student while attending the lectures and the laboratory activities. In particular, the following skills are evaluated:

- Knowledge of the advanced instrumental analytical terminology and of the theoretical basis of the discussed topics;

- Ability to perform basic laboratory procedures for the quali-quantitative analysis;

- Specific training on the uses, properties and analytical procedures of the examined products and compounds;

- Critical capacity in the evaluation of the laboratory analytical results.

The assessment of the learning is performed on the basis of an oral examination consisting of some questions about both the theoretical and the practical parts. During the laboratory activities it is planned to carry out practical tests the results of which are reported by the students within his/her own laboratory notebook which is evaluated by the teacher and which is part of the final score.

 

Teaching tools

Lectures are carried out by means of electronic media (pc, tablet and similar devices).

The practical activities are developed in specially equipped didactic laboratories where each student has at disposal a single place of work, all the instrumentations and materials necessary for the advanced analysis in phytoderivatives.

Office hours

See the website of Laura Mercolini