The comprehensive description of complex mixtures such as bio-oils is required to understand and improve the different processes involved during biological, environmental or industrial operation. In this context, we have to consider how different ionization sources can improve a non-targeted approach. Thus, the Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) has been coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI), laser desorption ionization (LDI) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) to characterize an oak pyrolysis bio-oil. Close to 90% of the all 4500 compound formulae has been attributed to CHO with similar oxygen class compound distribution. Nevertheless, their relative abundance in respect with their double bound equivalent (DBE) value has evidenced significant differences depending on the ion source used. ESI has allowed compounds with low DBE but more oxygen atoms to be ionized. APPI has demonstrated the efficient ionization of less polar compounds (high DBE values and less oxygen atoms). The LDI behavior of bio-oils has been considered intermediate in terms of DBE and oxygen amounts but it has also been demonstrated that a significant part of the features are specifically detected by this ionization method. Thus, the complementarity of three different ionization sources has been successfully demonstrated for the exhaustive characterization by petroleomic approach of a complex mixture.

Pyrolysis or liquefaction processes can be applied to lignocellulosic biomass to produce a bio-oil which allows the access of green chemicals or sustainable energy. Among the different existing resources, this raw material has the advantage to come from nonfood feedstocks such as agricultural wastes (wood, grass, ...) or dedicated plantations. Whatever the considered bio-oil, the development of high performance analytical techniques is needed to achieve an exhaustive characterization. The use of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI-FT-ICR-MS) has the potential to chemically identify the components of bio-oil at the level of the molecular formula. In this work, we investigated the influence of the sample preparation (use and nature of dopant and ion detection mode) on the development of a robust methodology for lignocellulosic based bio-oil characterization. Commonly used ESI dopants have been studied to increase the ionization yield and the measurement repeatability. We highlighted the dramatic effect of the sample preparation on the global chemical description of the bio-oil, especially the disproportional contribution of the C x H y N 1−5 O z species. Moreover, we demonstrated the ability of well-controlled ESI ionization conditions to attain, on the one hand, specific chemical information on the origin (cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignin) of the bio-oil constituents and, on the other hand, the simultaneous description of both its oily and aqueous compounds without a fractionation step.

Ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry combining various ion sources demonstrates the effects of hierarchical zeolite on the heavy molecular composition of bio-oil generated by fast-pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass.

Hawthorn (Crataegus) is used for its cardiotonic, hypotensive, vasodilative, sedative, antiatherosclerotic, and antihyperlipidemic properties. One of the main goals of this work was to find a well-defined optimized extraction protocol usable by each of us that would lead to repeatable, controlled, and quantified daily uptake of active components from hawthorn at a drinkable temperature (below 60 °C). A thorough investigation of the extraction mode in water (infusion, maceration, percolation, ultrasounds, microwaves) on the yield of extraction and the amount of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidin oligomers as well as on the Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) profiles of the extracted compounds was carried out. High-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry was also implemented to discriminate the different samples and conditions of extraction. The quantitative and qualitative aspects of the extraction as well as the kinetics of extraction were studied, not only according to the part (flowers or leaves), the state (fresh or dried), and the granulometry of the dry plant, but also the stirring speed, the temperature, the extraction time, the volume of the container (cup, mug or bowl) and the use of infusion bags.

No abstract