Fresh foods, including meats and produce are the fastest growing market in the supermarket and the class of foods most likely to cause a bacterial foodborne illness. As the rate of consumption of perishable products increases, rapid detection of pathogens within the food supply becomes a critical issue. Current methods used for the detection of bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses are time consuming, expensive and often require selective enrichment. In this study we adapted a separation technique originally developed for PCR to extract bacteria from ground beef using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and milk protein coated activated carbon (MP-CAC) as filtration agents. The recovered bacteria were bound to a gold slide via a 3-mercaptophenylboronic acid (3-MPBA) sandwich assay and detected with Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The 3-MPBA sandwich assay used with the separation technique allowed detection of Salmonella enterica Enteritidis (BAA-1045), separated from a ground beef matrix, as low as 1x102 CFU/g. Detection at this level was accomplished in less than 8 hours, significantly faster than plate count or enrichment methods that require multiple days. Previously, SERS has been used to detect bacteria within simple matrices; this is the first study to have utilized SERS bacterial detection in a ground beef.

This dissertation can be essentially divided into two parts. The first, consisting of Chapters I, II, and III, studies the graph theoretic nature of complex systems. This includes the spectral properties of such systems and in particular their influence on the systems dynamics. In the second part of this dissertation, or Chapter IV, we consider a new class of one-dimensional dynamical systems or functions with an eventual negative Schwarzian derivative motivated by some maps arising in neuroscience. To aid in understanding the interplay between the graph structure of a network and its dynamics we first introduce the concept of an isospectral graph reduction in Chapter I. Mathematically, an isospectral graph transformation is a graph operation (equivalently matrix operation) that modifies the structure of a graph while preserving the eigenvalues of the graphs weighted adjacency matrix. Because of their properties such reductions can be used to study graphs (networks) modulo any specific graph structure e.g. cycles of length n, cliques of size k, nodes of minimal/maximal degree, centrality, betweenness, etc. The theory of isospectral graph reductions has also lead to improvements in the general theory of eigenvalue approximation. Specifically, such reductions can be used to improved the classical eigenvalue estimates of Gershgorin, Brauer, Brualdi, and Varga for a complex valued matrix. The details of these specific results are found in Chapter II. The theory of isospectral graph transformations is then used in Chapter III to study time-delayed dynamical systems and develop the notion of a dynamical network expansion and reduction which can be used to determine whether a network of interacting dynamical systems has a unique global attractor. In Chapter IV we consider one-dimensional dynamical systems of an interval. In the study of such systems it is often assumed that the functions involved have a negative Schwarzian derivative. Here we consider a generalization of this condition. Specifically, we consider the functions which have some iterate with a negative Schwarzian derivative and show that many known results generalize to this larger class of functions. This includes both systems with regular as well as chaotic dynamic properties.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The presence of organic contaminants in the environment and in food have become a major concern due to the harmful effects to living organisms. Such contaminants may be pesticides used in agriculture for the control of pests, transformation products formed in the environment or through chemical processes, such as water treatment, and more recently pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Therefore, it is necessary to use sample preparation procedures and detection systems able to detect a variety of organic contaminants in trace level present in complex matrices, such as food and environmental samples. Thus, this study aims to: (1) address the use of high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for the identification and quantification of organic contaminants in fish fillet using two acquisition data modes (full scan and all ions MS/MS) and to optimize QuEChERS method as sample preparation (PAPER 1); (2) present a second quantitative application of the use of QuEChERS method and HRMS for fruit samples (apple, pear and grape) in full scan mode, as well as to apply the proposed method for commercial fruit samples (PAPER 2) and (3) optimize and use QuEChERS method for extracting ionophore antimicrobials in poultry litter, followed by its quantification by LC-MS/MS and identification of transformation products by LC-QToF/MS after three different composting processes (PAPER 3). The three papers presented the importance of sample preparation optimization, QuEChERS, in order to obtain proper recovery of organic contaminants, besides to minimize the matrix effects caused by interferences in the extract. As the use of HRMS, which proved to be a very effective analytical tool for combining high resolution and mass accuracy, for identification and quantification of target organic contaminants, transformation products and metabolites in complex matrices using a rapid chromatographic run. / A presença de contaminantes orgânicos no meio ambiente e em alimentos têm se tornado uma grande preocupação devido aos efeitos nocivos aos seres vivos. Tais contaminantes podem ser desde agrotóxicos empregados na agricultura para o controle de pragas, produtos de transformação formados no meio ambiente ou através de processos químicos, como o tratamento de água, e mais recentemente fármacos e produtos de cuidado pessoal. Com isso, tem-se a necessidade de empregar procedimentos de preparo de amostra e sistemas de detecção capazes de detectar uma variedade de contaminantes orgânicos em nível de traços presentes em matrizes complexas como alimentos e amostras ambientais. Portanto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivos: (1) abordar o emprego da espectrometria de massas de alta resolução (HRMS) para a identificação e quantificação de contaminantes orgânicos em filé de peixe utilizando dois modos de aquisição de dados (full scan e all ions MS/MS) e otimizar o método QuEChERS para o preparo da amostra (ARTIGO 1); (2) apresentar uma segunda aplicação quantitativa do uso de QuEChERS e HRMS para amostras de frutas (maçã, pera e uva) no modo full scan, bem como aplicar o método proposto em amostras reais de frutas (ARTIGO 2) e (3) otimizar e empregar o método QuEChERS para a extração de antimicrobianos ionóforos em cama de frango, seguido de quantificação por LC-MS/MS e identificação de produtos de transformação por LC-QToF/MS após três diferentes processos de compostagem (ARTIGO 3). Os três artigos apresentados abordam a importância da otimização do procedimento de preparo de amostra, QuEChERS, a fim de obter recuperação adequada de contaminantes orgânicos, além de minimizar os efeitos de matriz causados pelos interferentes presentes no extrato. Assim como o uso de HRMS, a qual demonstrou ser uma ferramenta analítica bastante eficiente, por combinar alta resolução e exatidão de massa, para identificação e quantificação de contaminantes orgânicos alvo, produtos de transformação e metabólitos em matrizes complexas utilizando uma análise cromatográfica rápida.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Toxic elements are in continuous accumulation in the environment mainly due to anthropogenic activities. In this work, a voltammetric method of sequential analysis for application in matrices of complex characteristics was developed. Using an organic mixture complexing, SVRS (alizarin violet) DMG (dimethylglyoxime), 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine), CA (chloranilic acid) and DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) 13 elements could be determined at two different methods. According to the formation constants with their respective ligands, in method 1, step were determined Al3+, Fe3+, Mo6+ SVRS in the presence of AdSV (Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry). In step 2 were determined Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ by ASV. In step 3, were determined Ni2+ and Co2+ in the presence of DMG and oxine. In method 2, V5+ and U6+ were determined by AdSV in the presence of CA (chloranilic acid), Cr(total) was analyzed in sequence by the presence of DTPA by AdSV and finally Tl+ was determined by ASV. The data for the figures of merit showed that the proposed method is suitable for samples of complex matrices studied (certified materials and commercial plant compounds). High concentrations for some elements were found in commercial samples. It indicates that the species translocates through the environment in which they are insert, being susceptible to contact with humans. / Elementos tóxicos estão em contínuo acúmulo no ambiente principalmente devido a atividades antropogênicas. Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvido um método voltamétrico de análise sequencial para aplicação em matrizes de natureza complexa. Utilizando uma mistura de complexantes orgânicos, SVRS (violeta de solocromo), DMG (dimetilglioxima), 8-Hidroxiquinolina (oxina), CA (ácido cloranílico) e DTPA (ácido dietilenotriamino pentaacético) foi possível determinar 13 elementos em dois diferentes métodos. De acordo com as constantes de formação com os respectivos ligantes foi determinado no método 1, etapa 1 Al3+, Fe3+, Mo6+ na presença de SVRS por AdSV (Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry). Na etapa 2 determinou-se Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+ por ASV. Na etapa 3, foram determinados Ni2+ e Co2+, na presença de DMG e oxina. No método 2, U6+ e V5+ foram determinados por AdSV na presença de CA (ácido cloranílico), Cr(total) foi determinado na sequência na presença de DTPA por AdSV e por fim, Tl+ foi determinado por ASV. Os dados obtidos para as figuras de mérito mostraram que o método proposto é adequado para as amostras de matrizes complexas estudadas (materiais certificados e compostos vegetais comerciais). Concentrações altas para alguns elementos foram encontradas nas amostras comerciais. Este dado indica que as espécies translocam-se através do meio em que estão inseridos estando suscetíveis a entrar em contato com o ser humano.

Le pétrole est une matrice complexe qui est raffinée afin d’être valorisée. Les fractions obtenues après raffinage sont variées et vont des composés légers (gaz, gazole …) aux composés lourds (distillats sous vide, bitumes...). La coupe naphta subit des traitements tels que le vapocraquage pour obtenir les oléfines qui sont ensuite polymérisés notamment grâce à la catalyse métallocène pour produire les polyoléfines. Ce travail de thèse a porté sur la caractérisation des distillats sous vide, des polyoléfines, et des catalyseurs métallocènes afin de mieux maitriser les différentes étapes du raffinage. Une comparaison des différentes sources à pression atmosphérique a été réalisée pour l’étude de distillats sous vide par spectrométrie de masse à mobilité ionique (IMMS). .L’electrospray (ESI+) permet d’ioniser sélectivement les composés azotés basiques alors que la source ASAP ainsi que la source photoionisation à pression atmosphérique (APPI) permettent une identification des composés soufrés de type benzothiophènes. Les données IMMS obtenues en ESI fournissent des informations sur l’isomérie des composés azotés de ce mélange complexe. Pour mieux comprendre ce contenu isomérique, un indicateur d’isomérie basé sur la largeur à mi-hauteur des pics de mobilité ionique, a été développé. L’analyse de polymère a été réalisée à l’aide de la source ASAP. En particulier, dans le cas du polypropylène (PP) et du polyéthylène (PE) de nombreux résidus pyrolytiques fortement oxydés ont été mis en évidence. Des différences significatives en terme d’abondances relatives et au niveau des temps de dérive en mobilité ionique sont observées entre les polyoléfines et notamment entre des PP tactiques et atactiques. Enfin, une méthode d’analyse par ASAP de composés sensibles à l’air a été développée et a permis l’analyse des composés de type métallocènes,utilisés pour la polymérisation des polyoléfines. / Petroleum is a highly complex mixture that needs to be refined in order to be commercialized. The petroleum fractions have various compositions from gasoline to petroleum coke. Naphtha distillation cut gives olefins by steam cracking which are polymerised using metallocene catalysts to produce polyolefins. This thesis work focused on the characterisation of vacuum gas oils, polyolefins and metallocene catalysts to better understand and optimized refining processes. A comparison of atmospheric pressure ionisation sources was realised for the characterisation of vacuum gas oils by ion mobility–mass spectrometry (IMMS). Electrospray (ESI+) source allows to selectively analyse the basic nitrogen containing species. The ASAP and APPI (atmospheric pressure photoionisation) sources allows to identify sulphur containing compounds like benzothiophenes. Based on the IMMS data, a new indicator based on the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ion mobility peaks was developed to obtain isomeric information without any identification of the species. Polymers were also analysed using the ASAP source. In particular, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were analysed by ASAP-IMMS and allow us to identify the oxidized species obtained by atmospheric pressure pyrolysis. The relative abundance of these species and their drift time were significantly different between the different samples and notably between isotactic PP and atactic PP. Finally, a new method based on the ASAP source was developed to analyse air sensitive compounds like metallocene used for polyolefin polymerisation.