The research domain focuses on the development of more accurate, less time consuming, more efficient and more reliable analytical methods, based on gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (QqQ) GC/MS/MS, gas chromatography/ spectrometry of flight time mass (GC/TOFMS), comprehensive gas chromatography (GCxGC/TOFMS), gas chromatography –olfactometry (GC-O), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with detection by refractive index and UV-Vis, for the identification and quantification of organic compounds in complex matrices. Various sample preparation methodologies are used, such as liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), solid phase extraction (SPE), molecularly printed polymers (MIPs) and solid phase microextraction (SPME). Special interest is devoted to enantioselective GC analysis (eGC) and eGCxGC/TOFMS. Stationary phases for MIPs are also developed as new sample preparation strategies.

The main achievements are:
  • Characterization of the volatile fraction (VOCs) of wines, liqueurs and olive oils, establishing correlations with sensory evaluations and electronic nose. Food matrices are varied, such as peppers, wines, beer, cachaças, corks, sparkling wines, olive oils, etc. The fermentative processes of alcoholic beverages, the aging processes and their molecular markers are studied, as well as the identification of aroma defects;
  • Chemical characterization of volatiles with potential biological activity, in relation to the behavior of insects according to the selection of the host tree;
  • Monitoring of electroremediation procedures for the removal of toxic components from environmental compartments;
  • Analysis of pollutants, such as dioxins, PCBs, PAHs, pesticides, herbicides and their metabolites, in different environmental compartments (air, water, soils, sediments);
  • Development of new stationary phases for enantioselective gas chromatography and for MIPs;
  • Analysis of organic compounds in the context of studies on heritage, namely in ceramic articles from the Roman empire as biomarkers to determine their Mediterranean diet;
  • Analysis of the volatile profile of patients with type I and II diabetes and contribution to the training of dogs that signal episodes of hypo and hyperglycemia (Associação Pata D’Açúcar)