The porphyrins, chlorophylls, bilins and related tetrapyrroles are vital for all living organisms. Natural and synthetic tetrapyrroles are used extensively in foods, cosmetics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medicine. Methods for their separation and characterization therefore, have a very wide area of applications. Yet, there is a dearth of books dedicated to HPLC and HPLC/MS of tetrapyrroles. Lim addresses this problem admirably by providing practical HPLC and HPLC/MS protocols coupled with in-depth chromatographic and mass spectrometric reference data. These are invaluable in the analysis, identification and characterization of porphyrins, chlorophylls, bilins and other related compounds found in biological and clinical materials. HPLC method development and optimization for coupling to mass spectrometry are also described in rich detail. Sample preparation, and suggestions for avoiding procedural artifacts during extraction of clinical and biological samples are discussed. Clinical biochemists involved in biochemical diagnosis of human porphyrias will find this monograph assuredly helpful, as would analysts, biochemists and chemists involved in the separation, isolation and characterization of natural and synthetic tetrapyrroles. Undoubtedly, Lim has contributed a master-piece containing sufficient background material for beginners and up-to-date references for all researchers in the field.

Although researchers can profitably investigate heme, chlorophyll, and related tetrapyrroles in a wide range of academic and medical research programs, the handling and manipulation of these delicate compounds requires considerable skill and cross-boundary knowledge. In Heme, Chlorophyll, and Bilins: Methods and Protocols, an interdisciplinary panel of hands-on investigators overcomes these limitations by describing in detail how to work successfully with chlorophyll, heme, and bilins in biological, medical, chemical, and biochemical research. Each method is presented by a researcher who actually uses it on a daily basis and includes step-by-step instructions and pertinent tricks-of-the-trade that often make the difference between laboratory success and failure. Topics range from methods for the analysis of tetrapyrroles, heme, and hemoproteins, to the biosynthesis and the analysis of chlorophyll and bilins. Timely and highly practical, Heme, Chlorophyll, and Bilins: Methods and Protocols is a gold-standard collection of readily reproducible techniques suitable for a wide range of researchers, whether it be a clinician studying photodynamic therapy, an ecologist studying the chlorophyll composition of leaves in a tropical forest, or a cell biologist investigating the function of specific hemoproteins.

The methodology of analytical pyrolysis-GC/MS has been known for several years, but is seldom used in research laboratories and process control in the chemical industry. This is due to the relative difficulty of interpreting the identified pyrolysis products as well as the variety of them. This book contains full identification of several classes of polymers/copolymers and biopolymers that can be very helpful to the user. In addition, the practical applications can encourage analytical chemists and engineers to use the techniques explored in this volume.The structure and the functions of various types of pyrolyzers and the results of the pyrolysis-gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric identification of synthetic polymers/copolymers and biopolymers at 700°C are described. Practical applications of these techniques are also included, detailing the analysis of microplastics, failure analysis in the automotive industry and solutions for technological problems.

A decade of technological advances and research on the human microbiome has re-defined our understanding of biological systems, and now offers diagnostic tools and new approaches to human health. Likewise, marine ecosystems are driven by their microbiome, the ensemble of microscopic organisms that inhabit the water column, sediments and aquatic organisms, and regulate most fluxes of energy and matter. While the human microbiome is composed principally of bacteria, the marine microbiome has a much broader ensemble of microscopic organisms with sizes spanning from viruses of a few tens of nanometres to metazoans of several centimetres. Advances in high throughput imaging and sequencing are emerging in aquatic science, providing important insights into ecosystem structure and functions, and contributing to develop new indicators of ecosystem health and potential hazards to living resources and humans. A number of research exploration and monitoring programs such as the Tara Oceans global expedition and the Marine Biological Observing Network (MBON), and the rising popularity of environmental DNA (eDNA) already led to a wealth of data. However, the wide range of methodologies used in this early exploration phase poses a challenge to integrative studies, prompting community responses such as the Genomic Standards Consortium. This Research Topic will foster cross-community exchange of standards and best practices. It is an opportunity for the different communities working on marine microbiomes to discuss the advantages and the limitations of their sampling and analysis methods. The collection of papers will constitute a knowledge base aimed at (1) addressing the integration of existing observations from heterogenous methods and data types, and (2) working towards cross-communities standards and best practices for future observations and experiments. This Research Topic will publish comprehensive methodological papers that review a sufficiently large body of field or experimental work. Supporting (meta)data, such as environmental context, sampling materials, sample treatments, extraction and imaging yields, must be provided and should preferably be uploaded to an online sample registry such as BioSamples. Protocols and analytical methods should preferably be uploaded to an online repository such as Protocols.io. We welcome contributions from communities working in different environments: · focus on marine systems, but also interested in estuarine and freshwater systems · coastal, open ocean and deep-sea regions · benthic, pelagic and aerosol environments We strongly encourage contributions from communities involved in: · networks of local observatories and long-term monitoring programs · regional & basin-scale surveys, and global expeditions · biodiscovery linked to economic sectors such as pharmaceutics and bioengineering · environmental and health assessments linked to economic sectors such as aquaculture, fisheries, seabed mining, wind-farms, and oil and gas

The Extended Specimen highlights the research potential for ornithological specimens, and is meant to encourage ornithologists poised to initiate a renaissance in collections-based ornithological research. Contributors illustrate how collections and specimens are used in novel ways by adopting emerging new technologies and analytical techniques. Case studies use museum specimens and emerging and non-traditional types of specimens, which are developing new methods for making biological collections more accessible and "usable" for ornithological researchers. Published in collaboration with and on behalf of The American Ornithological Society, this volume in the highly-regarded Studies in Avian Biology series documents the power of ornithological collections to address key research questions of global importance.

The porphyrins, chlorophylls, bilins and related tetrapyrroles are vital for all living organisms. Natural and synthetic tetrapyrroles are used extensively in foods, cosmetics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medicine. Methods for their separation and characterization therefore, have a very wide area of applications. Yet, there is a dearth of books dedicated to HPLC and HPLC/MS of tetrapyrroles. Lim addresses this problem admirably by providing practical HPLC and HPLC/MS protocols coupled with in-depth chromatographic and mass spectrometric reference data. These are invaluable in the analysis, identification and characterization of porphyrins, chlorophylls, bilins and other related compounds found in biological and clinical materials. HPLC method development and optimization for coupling to mass spectrometry are also described in rich detail. Sample preparation, and suggestions for avoiding procedural artifacts during extraction of clinical and biological samples are discussed. Clinical biochemists involved in biochemical diagnosis of human porphyrias will find this monograph assuredly helpful, as would analysts, biochemists and chemists involved in the separation, isolation and characterization of natural and synthetic tetrapyrroles. Undoubtedly, Lim has contributed a master-piece containing sufficient background material for beginners and up-to-date references for all researchers in the field.

Handbook of Advanced Chromatography /Mass Spectrometry Techniques is a compendium of new and advanced analytical techniques that have been developed in recent years for analysis of all types of molecules in a variety of complex matrices, from foods to fuel to pharmaceuticals and more. Focusing on areas that are becoming widely used or growing rapidly, this is a comprehensive volume that describes both theoretical and practical aspects of advanced methods for analysis. Written by authors who have published the foundational works in the field, the chapters have an emphasis on lipids, but reach a broader audience by including advanced analytical techniques applied to a variety of fields. Handbook of Advanced Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry Techniques is the ideal reference for those just entering the analytical fields covered, but also for those experienced analysts who want a combination of an overview of the techniques plus specific and pragmatic details not often covered in journal reports. The authors provide, in one source, a synthesis of knowledge that is scattered across a multitude of literature articles. The combination of pragmatic hints and tips with theoretical concepts and demonstrated applications provides both breadth and depth to produce a valuable and enduring reference manual. It is well suited for advanced analytical instrumentation students as well as for analysts seeking additional knowledge or a deeper understanding of familiar techniques. - Includes UHPLC, HILIC, nano-liquid chromatographic separations, two-dimensional LC-MS (LCxLC), multiple parallel MS, 2D-GC (GCxGC) methodologies for lipids analysis, and more - Contains both practical and theoretical knowledge, providing core understanding for implementing modern chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques - Presents chapters on the most popular and fastest-growing new techniques being implemented in diverse areas of research

There is a growing need for high-throughput separations in food and environmental research that are able to cope with the analysis of a large number of compounds in very complex matrices. Laboratories worldwide are now demanding fast and efficient analytical procedures with enough sensitivity, robustness, effectiveness and high resolution to be able to perform both qualitative and quantitative analysis while at the same time achieving cost-effective methodologies with reduced analysis times. Whereas the most common approach for solving many analytical problems has often been high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the recent use of fast or ultra-fast chromatographic methods for environmental and food analysis has increased the overall sample throughput and laboratory efficiency without loss (and even with an improvement) in the resolution obtained by conventional HPLC systems.This book brings together researchers at the top of their field from across the world to discuss and analyze recent advances in fast liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) methods for food and environmental analysis. It focuses on the development of the analytical method: sample preparation, chromatographic separation, mass spectrometry and, finally, confirmation and quantification aspects. These topics are addressed in three main parts. First, the most novel approaches to achieve fast and ultra-fast methods as well as the use of alternative and complementary stationary phases are described. In the second part, advances in fast LC–MS methods are addressed, focusing on novel treatment procedures coupled with LC–MS, new ionization sources, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and the problematic confirmation and quantification aspects in mass spectrometry. Finally, the third part is devoted to relevant LC–MS applications in food and environmental analysis and addresses the analysis of pesticides, mycotoxins, food packaging contaminants, perfluorinated compounds and polyphenolic compounds.This book brings together researchers working at the top of the field at universities and in industry from across the world to present the state-of-the-art in current research on food and environmental analysis. The scope of the book is intentionally broad and is aimed at worldwide analytical laboratories working in food and environmental applications as well as researchers in universities worldwide.

The first dedicated new work since 1991, this book reviews recent progress and current studies in the chemistry, metabolism and spectroscopy of chlorophylls, bacteriochlorophylls and their protein complexes. Also discussed is progress on the applications of chlorophylls as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy of cancerous tumours, and as molecular probes in biochemistry, medicine, plant physiology, ecology and geochemistry. Each section offers an introductory overview followed by concise, focused and fully-referenced chapters written by experts.