Characterization of the volatile fraction of Mentha sp. leaves by Comprehensive Bidimensional Gas Chromatography (GCxGC) and Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME)

• Grant number: 11/07526-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2011
• End date: June 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Augusto
• Grantee: Alessandra Pavani
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The compostion of the volatile fraction of leaves and other parts of Mentha sp. will be studied using Heaspace Solid Phase Microextraction (HS-SPME) and Bidimensional Comprehensive Gas Chromatography (GCxGC) with Flame Ionization (-FID) and Mass Spectrometric (-qMS) Detection. The conditions for the extraction of the sample volatiles by HS-SPME, as well as the conditions for separation and detection of the extracted analytes by GCxGC-FID and -qMS will be optimized using univariate experiments or through Dohelert matrix-based factorial designs, depending on the case. The detected analytes will be identified by comparison of the mass spectra and retention indexes with data from literature and other bases. The data obtained will be compared to the composition of the essential oils of the same plants and with antimicrobial activity parameters to assess possible correlations and to identify the possibility of the use of direct analysis of these plants to predict the quality of essential oils and their biological activity.