This book is intended both to be an introduction to techniques and applications of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and to serve as a reference for future workers. When we undertook its writing, we chose not to cover the field, particularly applications, exhaustively. Rather we wished to produce a book that would be of use to people just beginning to use the technique as well as to more advanced practitioners. In this regard, we have sought to highlight techniques and applications that are of current importance, while not neglecting descriptions of approaches that may be of significance in the future. We hope that we have succeeded in this.

During recent years there has been increasing interest in the value of a number of chemical and physical-chemical analytical methods for the detection and characterization of microorganisms. Furthermore, such methods are currently used in studies on microbial metabolic processes, on the role of microorganisms in the turnover of inorganic and organic compounds, and on the impact on environmental changes by microbial activity. Moreover, the introduction of some of these methods not only shortens the analytical time period compared to ·'traditional" techniques, but also improves the analytical quality. Mass spectrometry (MS) combined with chromatographic inlet systems, particularly gas chromatography (GC), belongs to those methods which during recent years have established their value for the above-mentioned purposes. The present volume starts with basic chapters on the principles for MS and common inlet systems, particulary Gc. It discusses applications of these techniques to a number of microbiological disciplines, e.g., ecologi­ cal and medical microbiology. Emphasis is laid on organic compound classes vii viii / PREFACE of special relevance to microbiology, e.g., volatiles, lipids, amino acids, peptides and carbohydrates. Some compound classes of a more general biochemical rather than specific microbiological importance, e.g., steroids and nucleotides, are dealt with briefly. The editors wish to thank all those who have contributed to this book. We hope it will stimulate further research in this futuristic field and will be of practical value.

This book delves into the structural diversity of flavonoids found throughout the plant kingdom, the evolution of flavonoid biosynthesis genes in plants, and the molecular interaction of flavonoids with growth hormones. The metabolic routes of flavonoids are thoroughly investigated using both biochemical and molecular biology methods, and the book elucidates the links between genes/proteins and metabolites, as well as between metabolites. The book also explores the interplay between flavonoid metabolism and external environmental factors that are subject to continuous change.

This volume presents selected aspects of gas chromatography and chemometrics in which progress has recently been made.The book is addressed to a wide audience of analytical chemists and should be of interest to research chemists working in both industry and academia.

This book provides an overview of new advances in high-performance liquid chromatography and its applications in different fields.

This volume covers various aspects of affinity chromatography along with examples of its applications. Chapters guide readers through methodologies to purify a diverse array of molecular targets such as antibodies, extracellular vesicles, recombinant proteins, biomarkers, metabolites, plant organelles, nucleic acids, ligand identification and protocols on building affinity matrix. Written in the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, lists necessary materials and reagents, includes tips on troubleshooting and known pitfalls, and step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols.

This book discusses the thermophysical properties and other features of these emerging liquids. It presents different methods of their production, as well as examines their potential use as new lubricants or lubricant additives and in gas chromatography. The book provides an archeological, historical, and technological background of alkali and alkali–earth salts and hydroxides