State of art analytical technologies to solve natural products challenges

The study of natural products is a daunting task and sometimes intimating for many scientists because of the complex nature of problems at hand. From analytical point of view, there are many analytical challenges to conduct natural product studies. For example: complex samples require comprehensive sample clean-up such as extraction, pre-fractionation, and purification; there is a need to have very high peak capacity and resolving power when it comes to separations; there are wide concentration range of analytes that require detectors with wide dynamic range; the chemical space within NP samples is so vast that an universal detector is strongly desired and yet, unavailable. As a result, having a good set of analytical tools that are fit for purpose and effective is vital for all natural products scientists. As currently, there is not a single “one size fits all” analytical solution available to address the entire spectrum of the natural products challenges. In addition, with the advances in technology, and a variety of analytical solutions available to tackle different analytical problems, another challenge for researchers is to be able to keep up with the pace of the technology advancement, and to understand how to use them effectively to answer the analytical questions at hand quickly and effectively.

The goal of this presentation is to provide updates for the natural products scientists with some example state of art analytical technologies, from sample preparation, to chromatographic separation to mass spectrometry detection to informatics platform through application examples. Examples of technology updates that will be covered by this presentation include mentioned include: supercritical fluid technology (SFX), nano-fluidic chromatography, MS detector for routine analysis, Qtof mass spectrometry, as well as ion mobility (IMS) mass spectrometry.