Mass Spectrometry

Biography

Biography: Natalja P. Nørskov

Abstract

Phytochemicals are non-nutritive compounds found in plant foods such as fruits, vegetable, cereals and etc. They have received attention in human nutrition due to their health beneficial effects, mainly as antioxidants. Particular class of phytochemicals, lignans have gained further interest due to their promising role in the prevention of lifestyle diseases. However, it is essential for epidemiological studies to have more evidence to be able to link the intake of lignans to this promising role. In this context, it is necessary to study large population groups to obtain sufficient statistical power. The aim of this study was to develop quantitate LC-MS/MS methods for high throughput of samples with high sensitivity, meeting the needs of analytical laboratories. The quantification of biofluids was performed on microLC coupled to QTrap 5500 Mass Spectrometer. In the first method we have quantified two enterolignans, enterolactone and enterodiol, and eight plant lignans. In the second method we have quantified enterolactone in its intact forms as glucuronide and sulfate. Both methods contain only one extraction step using Solid Phase Extraction, good chromatographic separation on the reverse-phase columns and short chromatographic runs. The importance of these new methods is two-fold. Firstly, since the methods are rapid and easy to perform they can be used for high throughput of samples and therefore will be the methods of choice for future epidemiological investigations and clinical diagnosis. Secondly, we hope that measuring enterolactone in its intact forms will contribute with new knowledge on the role of enterolactone in human health.