The challenge of achieving fast quantification in metabolomics is the presence of severe matrix effects during the MS analysis of complex samples. Complex samples also result in challenges during... Show moreThe challenge of achieving fast quantification in metabolomics is the presence of severe matrix effects during the MS analysis of complex samples. Complex samples also result in challenges during metabolite identification as complex MS/MS spectra and peak overlap in 1H NMR complicate structure elucidation. The goal of this thesis is to tackle these challenges by the development and application of innovative fractionation approaches and state-of-the-art MS and NMR analyses. Show less
By growing in a soil plants change the biotic and abiotic properties of the soil in which they grow. This can influence the performance of plants that grow in the same soil subsequently and is... Show moreBy growing in a soil plants change the biotic and abiotic properties of the soil in which they grow. This can influence the performance of plants that grow in the same soil subsequently and is known as plant soil feedback (PSF). Species largely differ in how they influence the soil while they grow in it and how they react to conditioned soil. So far PSF was mainly shown to influence biomass of plants and certain specific chemical compounds in plants. This thesis demonstrates how the whole metabolome of a range of different plants changes due to different microbiomes in the soil and that the influence of soil on the metabolome of plants can be stronger than the effect of herbivory. Furthermore, this thesis shows how these PSF change over time and on different spatial scales and which methods are most suitable to study the metabolomic response of plants. Show less
The recently introduced nature-originated deep eutectic solvents, so-called natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are considered as truly green solvents, which composed of natural ingredients... Show moreThe recently introduced nature-originated deep eutectic solvents, so-called natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are considered as truly green solvents, which composed of natural ingredients found abundantly in organisms. NADES has been used in diverse applications, including extraction of bioactive molecules, enzymatic processes, agricultural and pharmaceutical fields, and protein stabilization. Despite the various applications, their physiological roles in organisms still remain unclear. In the thesis, the possible roles of NADES were investigated using a model plant (Drosera species) and for macromolecules. The chemical analysis of Drosera exudates indicated that the exudates contained sugars, amino acids, and organic acids which might be NADES components, and they could be involved in the biological roles of exudates. Several NADES are also proven to be optimum media to improve the stability and activity of enzymes. Additionally, NADES protected the enzymes from microorganism contamination. Besides enzymes, DNA and RNA were well protected from degradation by NADES. Based on the results of the thesis, a new biological role of NADES associated to macromolecules were deduced. Show less
The human metabolome provides a direct physiological read-out of an individual's actual health state and includes biomarkers that may predict disease or response to a treatment. The discovery and... Show moreThe human metabolome provides a direct physiological read-out of an individual's actual health state and includes biomarkers that may predict disease or response to a treatment. The discovery and validation of these metabolomic biomarkers requires large-scale cohort studies, typically involving thousands of samples. This analytical challenge drives novel technological developments to enable faster, cheaper, and more comprehensive metabolomic analysis: more for less.This review summarises recent (2012–2018) developments towards this goal in all aspects of the analytical workflow, in relation to NMR but primarily to mass spectrometry (MS). Recent trends include miniaturisation and automation of extraction techniques, online coupling to fast analysis methods including direct infusion ion mobility MS, integrated microfluidic devices, and sharing and standardizing metabolomics software and data.The technological advances in metabolomics support its widespread application, integration with other -omics fields, and ultimately disease prediction and precision medicine. Show less
The chapters that comprised this thesis cover a broad range of subjects from analytical method development to clinical application of metabolic profiling. They are united by the facts that all of... Show moreThe chapters that comprised this thesis cover a broad range of subjects from analytical method development to clinical application of metabolic profiling. They are united by the facts that all of these studies aimed at analysis of biological fluids and that the presented methods and approaches may ultimately become parts of a robust metabolomics workflow that might be used in a future personalized medicine. Show less
