Emerging Methodologies for the Characterization of Complex Matrices via Mass Spectrometry

• Grant number: 25/13766-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Alexandra Christine Helena Frankland Sawaya
• Grantee: Luan Felipe Campos Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Microdroplet chemistry is an emerging topic in the mass spectrometry community due to its unique reactive properties. Microdroplets can accelerate reaction rates by up to six orders of magnitude, enabling reactions to occur under ambient conditions that would not take place in bulk solution. So far, their main application has been in performing derivatizations for the analysis of organic compounds via mass spectrometry. However, other applications have also been explored, such as the digestion of proteins and DNA, investigation of synthetic pathways in organic chemistry, and the development of green chemistry methodologies. Nevertheless, the digestion of lignins has not yet been explored. Lignin is a phenolic biopolymer that can be extracted from residues of the sugar and ethanol, pulp and paper, timber, and agricultural industries. It is considered the most abundant and renewable alternative to the aromatic fraction of petroleum, used in the production of solvents and, more importantly, as a precursor for higher-value products such as polymers, paints, resins, cosmetics, pharmaceutical ingredients, and explosives. Several methodologies have been proposed for lignin depolymerization, including acidic and basic hydrolysis, oxidation, and reduction. However, all of them still require harsh reaction conditions-high temperature and pressure, and long reaction times-and often result in repolymerization by-products. Therefore, the development of methodologies for lignin cleavage in microdroplets could represent significant progress in its characterization, while also expanding the application of microdroplet chemistry to the accelerated digestion of complex matrices under ambient conditions, aligned with the principles of green chemistry. (AU)