Pressurised Fluid Extraction of Bioactive Species in Tree Barks Analysis using Hyphenated Electrochemical Mass Spectrometric Detection

Abstract: Analytical chemistry has developed throughout time to meet current needs. At present, the interest in biorefinery is growing, due to environmental awareness and the depletion of fossil resources. Biomass from agricultural and forestry industries has proven to be excellent raw material for different processes. Biorefinering valuable species such as bioactive species from biomass, without compromising the primary process of the biomass is highly desirable. Pressurised fluid extraction (PFE) using water and ethanol as a solvent was developed for extracting betulin from birch (Betula pendula) bark. Apart from betulin, stilbene glucosides such as astringin, isorhapontin and picied were also extracted from spruce (Picea abies) using PFE. PFE is an advanced technique that extracts at temperatures above the solvent’s atmospheric boiling point. The applied pressure in PFE is mainly to maintain the liquid state of the extraction solvent. Parameters such as type of solvent, temperature, and time affect the extraction selectivity and efficiency. Therefore it is necessary to comprehend these parameters in order to optimise extraction. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay was used to determine the antioxidant capacity and activity of the obtained bioactive species. The results showed high antioxidant capacity in bioactive species that were extracted at an elevated temperature, 180°C. Extraction and degradation occur simultaneously during the extraction. Hence, it is crucial to separate these two processes in order to obtain the actual value.An online hyphenated system of chromatographic separation electrochemical mass spectrometric detection was developed (LC-DAD-ECD-MS/MS). The electrochemical detector facilitates real-time monitoring of the antioxidant capacity and activity of each antioxidant and its oxidation products. This developed LC-DAD-ECD-MS/MS method enabled rapid screening of antioxidants and created a fingerprint map for their oxidation products. Characterisation and molecular elucidation of bioactive species were also performed. Degradation of bioactive species was investigated with the said online system and birch bark extract was compared with birch bark extracts that were hydrothermally treated. The obtained results showed some degradation of antioxidants at 180°C.In summary, the aim of this thesis was to develop analytical methods integrated with sustainable chemistry for extraction of bioactive species in biomass from the forestry industry. A novel online system using selective and sensitive detectors such as diode-array, electrochemical, and tandem mass spectrometry was developed to rapidly determine the antioxidant capacity and activity of antioxidants. Furthermore, tandem mass spectrometry enables identification of unknown bioactive species without the need of reference samples.