Jens Prothmann’s research is focused on a method development for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in complex lignin samples using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution multiple stage tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMSn). Lignin is the second most abundant biopolymer on earth and its structure consists of various phenolic units. It has become of great interest in research during the last years because of its high potential to provide a biorenewable source for biofuels and valuable aromatic chemicals.

Jens received his Master of Science degree in chemistry with focus on analytical chemistry from Philipps-University Marburg in 2015. For his Master’s thesis Jens went to the Helmholtz-Centre of Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig. There he searched for pesticides and biocides in sediments of European river estuaries using LC-HRMS. During his Bachelor’s thesis in 2012 he worked at the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) in Schmallenberg and analyzed explosive compounds and their degradation products in soils using LC-UV. In September 2015 Jens joined as a PhD student the Green Technology Group.

Extraction and analysis of bioactive compounds in plants