Exploring the potential of cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometry for the characterization of isomeric phenolics and lipids in food

Food contains a large diversity of molecules, such as phenolics and lipids. On top of this diversity, these molecules can occur as multiple isomers, which are variants with the same molecular formula but slightly different chemical structure. Despite minor structural differences, isomers can greatly vary in their functionality and biological properties in food. Consequently, distinguishing isomers of phenolics and lipids is essential. However, due to the high structural similarity between isomers, it is challenging to distinguish them using conventional analytical techniques.
In this PhD research, novel approaches were developed for the analysis of phenolic and lipid isomers using cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometry, a state-of-the-art analytical technique. This resulted in substantially improved capabilities for distinction and identification of phenolic and lipid isomers in different food matrices, including green tea, oils, and licorice root extract. In conclusion, cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometry is a powerful tool for achieving a deeper understanding of food composition.