Degradative analytical tools for large molecules Diagnosis of tuberculosis and aging of oil paintings

Analytical methods and techniques are assets of key importance in the current chemistry research. They represent a wide range of techniques for physical characterizations, such as spectroscopic techniques, and extend to methods for the determination of chemical compositions, as chromatographic systems. The use of these sensitive, accurate, precise, reproducible and robust methodologies makes it possible to answer questions on what is in a mixture, in which form it occurs and how much of each constituent is present. In this thesis we focus on the use of degradative analytical tools for the study of large molecules, emphasizing the wide applicability of chromatography techniques for solving today’s challenges. In particular, this thesis describes the development and use of advanced analytical tools for complex analyses such as the diagnosis of Tuberculosis, based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with emphases on sample preparation methods (Liquid Chromatography, Solid-phase extraction and an original micro extraction method), and in art conservation, with the study of temperature/light-induced polymerization/degradation of vegetable oils as a model for the aging of paints in old paintings.