Top-down protein sequencing by CID and ECD using desorption electrospray ionisation (DESI) and high-field FTICR mass spectrometry

We report high resolution spectra for the medium molecular weight proteins myoglobin and cytochrome-c obtained using a custom desorption electrospray ionisation (DESI) source coupled to a Bruker Daltonics 12 T Apex Qe Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FTICR-MS). The DESI source was designed for accurate alignment and reproduction of critical geometric variables. A two axis motorised stage was included to enable automated rastering of the sample under the DESI plume. Spectra for the intact proteins have been obtained under single-acquisition conditions and a top-down analysis of cytochrome-c was performed using both collision induced dissociation (CID) and electron capture dissociation (ECD) of the isolated [M+15H]¹⁵⁺ charge state. The sequence coverage is comparable to that obtained using electrospray ionisation, demonstrating the utility of top-down protein analysis by DESI FTICR-MS.     

Regioisomeric analysis of triacylglycerols using silver-ion liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry: comparison of five different mass analyzers

Silver-ion high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) is used for the regioisomeric analysis of triacylglycerols (TGs). Standard mixtures of TG regioisomers are prepared by the randomization reaction from 8 mono-acid TG standards (tripalmitin, tristearin, triarachidin, triolein, trielaidin, trilinolein, trilinolenin and tri-gamma-linolenin). In total, 32 different regioisomeric doublets and 11 triplets are synthesized, separated by silver-ion HPLC using three serial coupled chromatographic columns giving a total length of 75cm. The retention of TGs increases strongly with the double bond (DB) number and slightly for regioisomers having more DBs in sn-1/3 positions. DB positional isomers (linolenic vs. γ-linolenic acids) are also separated and their reverse retention order in two different mobile phases is demonstrated. APCI mass spectra of all separated regioisomers are measured on five different mass spectrometers: single quadrupole LC/MSD (Agilent Technologies), triple quadrupole API 3000 (AB SCIEX), ion trap Esquire 3000 (Bruker Daltonics), quadrupole time-of-flight micrOTOF-Q (Bruker Daltonics) and LTQ Orbitrap XL (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The effect of different types of mass analyzer on the ratio of [M+H-R(i)COOH](+) fragment ions in APCI mass spectra is lower compared to the effect of the number of DBs, their position on the acyl chain and the regiospecific distribution of acyl chains on the glycerol skeleton. Presented data on [M+H-R(i)COOH](+) ratios measured on five different mass analyzers can be used for the direct regioisomeric determination in natural and biological samples.     

Use of a polar ionic liquid as second column for the comprehensive two-dimensional GC separation of PCBs

The orthogonality of three columns coupled in two series was studied for the congener specific comprehensive two-dimensional GC separation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). A non-polar capillary column coated with poly(5%-phenyl–95%-methyl)siloxane was used as the first (¹D) column in both series. A polar capillary column coated with 70% cyanopropyl-polysilphenylene-siloxane or a capillary column coated with the ionic liquid 1,12-di(tripropylphosphonium)dodecane bis(trifluoromethane-sulfonyl)imide were used as the second (²D) columns. Nine multi-congener standard PCB solutions containing subsets of all native 209 PCBs, a mixture of 209 PCBs as well as Aroclor 1242 and 1260 formulations were used to study the orthogonality of both column series. Retention times of the corresponding PCB congeners on ¹D and ²D columns were used to construct retention time dependences (apex plots) for assessing orthogonality of both columns coupled in series. For a visual assessment of the peak density of PCBs congeners on a retention plane, 2D images were compared. The degree of orthogonality of both column series was, along the visual assessment of distribution of PCBs on the retention plane, evaluated also by Pearson's correlation coefficient, which was found by correlation of retention times t_R,i,2D and t_R,i,1D of corresponding PCB congeners on both column series. It was demonstrated that the apolar + ionic liquid column series is almost orthogonal both for the 2D separation of PCBs present in Aroclor 1242 and 1260 formulations as well as for the separation of all of 209 PCBs. All toxic, dioxin-like PCBs, with the exception of PCB 118 that overlaps with PCB 106, were resolved by the apolar/ionic liquid series while on the apolar/polar column series three toxic PCBs overlapped (105 + 127, 81 + 148 and 118 + 106).     

Comprehensive blood plasma lipidomics by liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A lipidomics strategy, combining high resolution reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) with high resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QqTOF), is described. The method has carefully been assessed in both a qualitative and a quantitative fashion utilizing human blood plasma. The inherent low technical variability associated with the lipidomics method allows to measure 65% of the features with an intensity RSD value below 10%. Blood plasma lipid spike-in experiments demonstrate that relative concentration differences smaller than 25% can readily be revealed by means of a t-test. Utilizing an advanced identification strategy, it is shown that the detected features mainly originate from (lyso-)phospholipids, sphingolipids, mono-, di- and triacylglycerols and cholesterol esters. The high resolution offered by the up-front RPLC step further allows to discriminate various isomeric species associated with the different lipid classes. The added value of utilizing a Jetstream electrospray ionization (ESI) source over a regular ESI source in lipidomics is for the first time demonstrated. In addition, the application of ultra high performance LC (UHPLC) up to 1200 bar to extend the peak capacity or increase productivity is discussed.     

Evaluation of a new polymeric stationary phase with reversed-phase properties for high temperature liquid chromatography

The performance of a polymeric stationary phase with reversed-phase properties (ET-RP1) was evaluated for LC separations at elevated temperature. The most significant observation was that the reduced plate height (h) decreased from 3.4 at 25 °C (optimal flow 0.5 mL/min) to 2.4 at 150 °C (optimal flow 2.5 mL/min) which is comparable to the efficiency obtained with silica-based reversed-phase columns of 4.6 mm ID operated at 0.8 mL/min. The phase showed no deterioration after long use at 150 °C within the pH range 1–9. Catalytic activity originating from the stationary phase material, e.g. as experienced on zirconium columns operated at elevated temperature, was absent. The performance of ET-RP1 is illustrated with the analysis of some pharmaceutical samples by LC and LC–MS. Operation at elevated temperature also allows to reduce the amount of organic modifier or to replace acetonitrile and methanol by the biodegradable ethanol.     

High-efficiency hydrophilic interaction chromatography by coupling 25 cm × 4.6 mm ID × 5 μm silica columns and operation at 80 °C

Recently, hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) has emerged as a valuable orthogonal tool to reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) as it allows for resolution of highly polar ionisable compounds. The relationships between separation efficiency, column length and speed of analysis for 4.6 mm ID × 5 μm silica particle columns in HILIC are demonstrated using kinetic plots. The kinetic plots constructed for conventional pressure systems operating at 350 bar and at 30 °C and 80 °C are confirmed using experimental data for different column lengths. Efficiencies of more than 130,000 theoretical plates could be achieved by connecting up to six columns of 25 cm. As expected, a significant gain in analysis speed without loss of efficiency could be obtained by operating at 80 °C compared to 30 °C. The advantages of using long columns in HILIC in combination with elevated column temperature for the pharmaceutical industry are illustrated using test mixtures comprised of commercially available ionisable compounds (including some containing functional groups with potential genotoxic typical structural alerts) as well as real polar ionisable pharmaceuticals.