Team 2

Development of new methods for assaying biomolecules from extracts of natural substances

Scientific description of the team's research program:

The research axis of the team is centered on the development of methodologies allowing, on the one hand, the extraction in an optimal way of the biomolecules to be valorized and on the other hand, their dosage in a reliable and fast way by employing in particular preconcentration and separation coupling methods to spectrometric methods (EPS-IRTF; HPLC-IRTF, CG-IRTF…), chemometric methods allowing multivariable and multicompound calibration and direct analysis without prior treatment of samples using ATR spectroscopy -IRTF.

These strategies can contribute to the broad field of green analytical chemistry by offering a very suitable tool for the analysis of different biomolecules directly in their matrices or extracted from natural substances, avoiding the prior manipulation of extracts, reducing the use of organic solvents used during the preparation and analysis stages and by increasing the sensitivity and frequency of analysis.

 Adequacy between the initial program of the team and its realization:

The team has developed research work in line with the initial program. The team's contribution in the field of green chemistry has taken the form of various studies, in particular: (i) the combination of chemometric methods with FTIR spectroscopy for the determination of secondary metabolites in plants, without prior treatment, by exploiting the potential of precisely band-specific FTIR spectroscopy; (ii) continuous monoterpene (FA) separation and analysis; (iii) creation and operation of an IRTF spectral database for the identification of chemical compounds of a natural extract; (iv) development of simple and rapid, specific and selective alternative analysis methods contributing to the repression of fraud agri-food and other products by ATR-IRTF spectroscopy.

Work in progress :

The team continues its research work, particularly in the field of green chemistry, namely: (i) establishment of an inventory of local products relating to edible, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products with a view to assaying molecules of interest and their active ingredients. (ii) the combination of chemometric methods with FTIR spectroscopy for the determination of secondary metabolites in plants, without prior treatment, exploiting the potential of FTIR spectroscopy precisely the specific band, (iii) the separation and analysis of some continuous mode metabolites (FA); (iv) enrichment and use of the IRTF spectral database already created for the identification of chemical compounds in natural extracts. Currently we are working on the development of simple and fast, specific and selective alternative analysis methods contributing to the repression of fraud in agri-food and other products such as: quality control of honey, coffee, saffron, tobacco, ... by spectroscopy ATR-IRTF.

Some indicators:

As part of the pedagogy, the teacher-researchers have acquired offices located opposite the laboratory. These offices are equipped with certain logistical means which can facilitate their task. (-) The researcher is present in the laboratory throughout the week outside of teaching sessions, (-) As part of the acquisition of laboratory equipment Since the end of April, the team has benefited from an IS10 FTIR equipped with an ATR with various acquisition and processing software.