In situ isobaric lipid mapping by MALDI–ion mobility separation–mass spectrometry imaging

The highly diverse chemical structures of lipids make their analysis directly from biological tissue sections extremely challenging. Here, we report the in situ mapping and identification of lipids in a freshwater crustacean Gammarus fossarum using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) in combination with an additional separation dimension using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). The high‐resolution trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) allowed efficient separation of isobaric/isomeric lipids showing distinct spatial distributions. The structures of the lipids were further characterized by MS/MS analysis. It is demonstrated that MALDI MSI with mobility separation is a powerful tool for distinguishing and localizing isobaric/isomeric lipids.     

The potential for clinical applications using a new ionization method combined with ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry

Recently discovered ionization methods for use in mass spectrometry (MS), are widely applicable to biological materials, robust, and easy to automate. Among these, matrix assisted ionization vacuum (MAIV) is astonishing in that ionization of low and high-mass compounds are converted to gas-phase ions with charge states similar to electrospray ionization simply by exposing a matrix:analyte mixture to the vacuum of a mass spectrometer. Using the matrix compound, 3-nitrobenzonitrile, abundant ions are produced at room temperature without the need of high voltage or a laser. Here we discuss chemical analyses advances using MAIV combined with ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) real time separation, high resolution MS, and mass selected and non-mass selected MS/MS providing rapid analyte characterization. Drugs, their metabolites, lipids, peptides, and proteins can be ionized simultaneously from a variety of different biological matrixes such as urine, plasma, whole blood, and tissue. These complex mixtures are best characterized using a separation step, which is obtained nearly instantaneously with IMS, and together with direct ionization and MS or MS/MS provides a fast analysis method that has considerable potential for non-targeted clinical analyses.     

MALDI coupled to modified traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry for fast enantiomeric determination

In this work, the use of MALDI traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TWIMS‐MS) for stereoselective structural analysis of direct cleavage and identification of 2‐substituted piperidines obtained through solid‐phase asymmetric synthesis by using heterogeneous 8‐phenylmenthyl‐based chiral auxiliary resins. A strategy for gas‐phase chiral and structural characterization of small molecular weight molecules by using MALDI‐IMS‐MS technique is discussed. Because both MALDI and IMS do not directly offer chiral resolution, an easy methodology by adding a chiral phase is described to carry out in situ online ion/molecule complexation with different chiral analytes inside the mass spectrometer. Piperidine enantiomers were resolved, and separation obtained shows dependence of surface areas. To corroborate this assumption and elucidate the separation mechanism to accomplish an analytical technique by which fast determination of the chirality of molecules may be determined for a wide range organic compound applications, it was performed DFT calculations to determine the cross‐sectional areas of proton‐bound dimer complexes. Drift times are affected by cross‐sectional areas, correlating bigger times with bigger molecular volumes during the ion mobility experiments of proton‐bound dimer complexes.     

A derivatization and validation strategy for determining the spatial localization of endogenous amine metabolites in tissues using MALDI imaging mass spectrometry

Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) studies increasingly focus on endogenous small molecular weight metabolites and consequently bring special analytical challenges. Since analytical tissue blanks do not exist for endogenous metabolites, careful consideration must be given to confirm molecular identity. Here, we present approaches for the improvement in detection of endogenous amine metabolites such as amino acids and neurotransmitters in tissues through chemical derivatization and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) IMS. Chemical derivatization with 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxycinnamaldehyde (CA) was used to improve sensitivity and specificity. CA was applied to the tissue via MALDI sample targets precoated with a mixture of derivatization reagent and ferulic acid as a MALDI matrix. Spatial distributions of chemically derivatized endogenous metabolites in tissue were determined by high‐mass resolution and MSⁿ IMS. We highlight an analytical strategy for metabolite validation whereby tissue extracts are analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)‐MS/MS to unambiguously identify metabolites and distinguish them from isobaric compounds. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Profiling and imaging of tissues by imaging ion mobility-mass spectrometry

Molecular profiling and imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) of tissues can often result in complex spectra that are difficult to interpret without additional information about specific signals. This report describes increasing data dimensionality in IMS by combining two-dimensional separations at each spatial location on the basis of imaging ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS). Analyte ions are separated on the basis of both ion-neutral collision cross section and m/z, which provides rapid separation of isobaric, but structurally distinct ions. The advantages of imaging using ion mobility prior to MS analysis are demonstrated for profiling of human glioma and selective lipid imaging from rat brain.     

Ion mobility spectrometry – Mass spectrometry coupling for synthetic polymers

This review covers applications of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) hyphenated to mass spectrometry (MS) in the field of synthetic polymers. MS has become an essential technique in polymer science, but increasingly complex samples produced to provide desirable macroscopic properties of high‐performance materials often require separation of species prior to their mass analysis. Similar to liquid chromatography, the IMS dimension introduces shape selectivity but enables separation at a much faster rate (milliseconds vs minutes). As a post‐ionization technique, IMS can be hyphenated to MS to perform a double separation dimension of gas‐phase ions, first as a function on their mobility (determined by their charge state and collision cross section, CCS), then as a function of their m/z ratio. Implemented with a variety of ionization techniques, such coupling permits the spectral complexity to be reduced, to enhance the dynamic range of detection, or to achieve separation of isobaric ions prior to their activation in MS/MS experiments. Coupling IMS to MS also provides valuable information regarding the 3D structure of polymer ions in the gas phase and regarding how to address the question of how charges are distributed within the structure. Moreover, the ability of IMS to separate multiply charged species generated by electrospray ionization yields typical IMS‐MS 2D maps that permit the conformational dynamics of synthetic polymer chains to be described as a function of their length.     

Characterization of volatile metabolites formed by molds on barley by mass and ion mobility spectrometry

The contamination of barley by molds on the field or in storage leads to the spoilage of grain and the production of mycotoxins, which causes major economic losses in malting facilities and breweries. Therefore, on‐site detection of hidden fungus contaminations in grain storages based on the detection of volatile marker compounds is of high interest. In this work, the volatile metabolites of 10 different fungus species are identified by gas chromatography (GC) combined with two complementary mass spectrometric methods, namely, electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization at atmospheric pressure (APCI)‐mass spectrometry (MS). The APCI source utilizes soft X‐radiation, which enables the selective protonation of the volatile metabolites largely without side reactions. Nearly 80 volatile or semivolatile compounds from different substance classes, namely, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, substituted aromatic compounds, alkenes, terpenes, oxidized terpenes, sesquiterpenes, and oxidized sesquiterpenes, could be identified. The profiles of volatile and semivolatile metabolites of the different fungus species are characteristic of them and allow their safe differentiation. The application of the same GC parameters and APCI source allows a simple method transfer from MS to ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), which permits on‐site analyses of grain stores. Characterization of IMS yields limits of detection very similar to those of APCI‐MS. Accordingly, more than 90% of the volatile metabolites found by APCI‐MS were also detected in IMS. In addition to different fungus genera, different species of one fungus genus could also be differentiated by GC‐IMS.     

Solid phase microextraction with matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization introduction to mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) with matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) introduction was coupled to mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry. Nicotine and myoglobin in matrix 2,5-dihydroxybenzonic acid (DHB), enkephalin and substance P in alpha-cyano-4-hydroxy cinnaminic acid were investigated as the target compounds. The tip of an optical fiber was silanized for extraction of the analytes of interest from solution. The optical fiber thus served as the sample extraction surface, the support for the sample plus matrix, and the optical pipe to transfer the laser energy from the laser to the sample. The MALDI worked under atmospheric pressure, and both an ion mobility spectrometer and a quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometer were used for the detection of the SPME/MALDI signal. The spectra obtained demonstrate the feasibility of the SPME with MALDI introduction to mass spectrometry instrumentation.     

Influence of structural features of isomeric hydrocarbons on ion formation at atmospheric pressure

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) in combination with different techniques of atmospheric pressure ionization (⁶³Ni ionization, photoionization, Corona discharge ionization) was applied to determine the influence of structural features of aromatic and cyclic hydrocarbons on ion mobility spectra. For this purpose, different sets of isomeric hydrocarbons were investigated using the above-mentioned ionization techniques. We found different structural features of these isomeric non-polar compounds which cause distinct differences in ion mobility spectra. These differences result from the formation of different product ions or a different relative abundance of ions formed depending on the occurrence of certain structural features (position of the double bond, arrangement of double bonds within the carbon ring, configuration of aliphatic side chain in the space, position of aliphatic side chain on the carbon ring and the number of carbon atoms in the aliphatic side chain). The nature of product ions formed was determined using a coupling of IMS with mass spectrometry (MS).     

Optimum collision energies for proteomics: The impact of ion mobility separation

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a widespread separation technique used in various research fields. It can be coupled to liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) methods providing an additional separation dimension. During IMS, ions are subjected to multiple collisions with buffer gas, which may cause significant ion heating. The present project addresses this phenomenon from the bottom-up proteomics point of view. We performed LC–MS/MS measurements on a cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometer with varied collision energy (CE) settings both with and without IMS. We investigated the CE dependence of identification score, using Byonic search engine, for more than 1000 tryptic peptides from HeLa digest standard. We determined the optimal CE values—giving the highest identification score—for both setups (i.e., with and without IMS). Results show that lower CE is advantageous when IMS separation is applied, by 6.3 V on average. This value belongs to the one-cycle separation configuration, and multiple cycles may supposedly have even larger impact. The effect of IMS is also reflected in the trends of optimal CE values versus m/z functions. The parameters suggested by the manufacturer were found to be almost optimal for the setup without IMS; on the other hand, they are obviously too high with IMS. Practical consideration on setting up a mass spectrometric platform hyphenated to IMS is also presented. Furthermore, the two CID (collision induced dissociation) fragmentation cells of the instrument—located before and after the IMS cell—were also compared, and we found that CE adjustment is needed when the trap cell is used for activation instead of the transfer cell. Data have been deposited in the MassIVE repository (MSV000090944).     

Uncovering matrix effects on lipid analyses in MALDI imaging mass spectrometry experiments

The specific matrix used in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) can have an effect on the molecules ionized from a tissue sample. The sensitivity for distinct classes of biomolecules can vary when employing different MALDI matrices. Here, we compare the intensities of various lipid subclasses measured by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR) IMS of murine liver tissue when using 9‐aminoacridine (9AA), 5‐chloro‐2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (CMBT), 1,5‐diaminonaphthalene (DAN), 2,5‐Dihydroxyacetophenone (DHA), and 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB). Principal component analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed significant matrix effects on the relative signal intensities observed for different lipid subclasses and adducts. Comparison of spectral profiles and quantitative assessment of the number and intensity of species from each lipid subclass showed that each matrix produces unique lipid signals. In positive ion mode, matrix application methods played a role in the MALDI analysis for different cationic species. Comparisons of different methods for the application of DHA showed a significant increase in the intensity of sodiated and potassiated analytes when using an aerosol sprayer. In negative ion mode, lipid profiles generated using DAN were significantly different than all other matrices tested. This difference was found to be driven by modification of phosphatidylcholines during ionization that enables them to be detected in negative ion mode. These modified phosphatidylcholines are isomeric with common phosphatidylethanolamines confounding MALDI IMS analysis when using DAN. These results show an experimental basis of MALDI analyses when analyzing lipids from tissue and allow for more informed selection of MALDI matrices when performing lipid IMS experiments.     

Multidimensional Mass Spectrometry of Synthetic Polymers and Advanced Materials

Multidimensional mass spectrometry interfaces a suitable ionization technique and mass analysis (MS) with fragmentation by tandem mass spectrometry (MS²) and an orthogonal online separation method. Separation choices include liquid chromatography (LC) and ion‐mobility spectrometry (IMS), in which separation takes place pre‐ionization in the solution state or post‐ionization in the gas phase, respectively. The MS step provides elemental composition information, while MS² exploits differences in the bond stabilities of a polymer, yielding connectivity and sequence information. LC conditions can be tuned to separate by polarity, end‐group functionality, or hydrodynamic volume, whereas IMS adds selectivity by macromolecular shape and architecture. This Minireview discusses how selected combinations of the MS, MS², LC, and IMS dimensions can be applied, together with the appropriate ionization method, to determine the constituents, structures, end groups, sequences, and architectures of a wide variety of homo‐ and copolymeric materials, including multicomponent blends, supramolecular assemblies, novel hybrid materials, and large cross‐linked or nonionizable polymers.     

Co-NC as adsorbent and matrix providing the ability of MALDI MS to analyze volatile compounds

Traditional matrix does not allow matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry(MALDI MS) to analyze volatile compounds,because volatile analytes may vaporize during the sample preparation process or in the high vacuum circumstance of ion source.Herein,we reported a Co and N doped porous carbon material(Co-NC) which were synthesized by pyrolysis of a Schiff base coordination compound.Co-NC could simultaneously act as adsorbent of volatile compounds and as matrix of MALDI MS,to provide the capability of MALDI MS to analyze volatile compounds.As adsorbent,Co-NC could stro ngly adsorb and enrich the volatile compounds in perfume and herbs,and hold them even in the high vacuum circumstance.On the other hand,Co-NC could absorb the energy of the laser,and then transfer the energy to the analyte for desorption and ionization of analyte in both negative and positive ionization modes.Additionally,the background interferences were avoided in the low-mass region(<500 Da) when using Co-NC as matrix,overcoming the challenges of MALDI MS analysis of small molecule compounds.In summary,Co-NC as matrix tremendously extended the application of MALDI MS.     

Detection of pharmaceutical compounds in tissue by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and laser desorption/chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry with a quadrupole ion trap

A novel quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer laser microprobe instrument with an external ionization source was constructed and used to investigate the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) detection of pharmaceutical compounds in intact tissue. In addition to MALDI, laser desorption coupled with chemical ionization (LD/CI) was investigated. MALDI, using 2,5-dihydroxybenezoic acid (DHB) as a matrix, was employed to detect the anticancer drug paclitaxel from a thin section of rat liver tissue which had been incubated in a solution of paclitaxel. The results of that experiment showed that the ability to perform tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) with the quadrupole ion trap was crucial in the identification of drug compounds at trace levels in the complex tissue matrix. MALDI MS/MS was then used to detect the presence of paclitaxel in a human ovarian tumor at a concentration of approximately 50 mg/kg. Finally, the drug spiperone was detected in incubated rat liver tissue at an approximate level of 25 mg/kg using LD/CI (no MALDI matrix). Again, the MS/MS capability of the quadrupole ion trap was crucial in the identification of the drug at trace levels in the complex tissue matrix.     

Feasibility of higher-order differential ion mobility separations using new asymmetric waveforms

Technologies for separating and characterizing ions based on their transport properties in gases have been around for three decades. The early method of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) distinguished ions by absolute mobility that depends on the collision cross section with buffer gas atoms. The more recent technique of field asymmetric waveform IMS (FAIMS) measures the difference between mobilities at high and low electric fields. Coupling IMS and FAIMS to soft ionization sources and mass spectrometry (MS) has greatly expanded their utility, enabling new applications in biomedical and nanomaterials research. Here, we show that time-dependent electric fields comprising more than two intensity levels could, in principle, effect an infinite number of distinct differential separations based on the higher-order terms of expression for ion mobility. These analyses could employ the hardware and operational procedures similar to those utilized in FAIMS. Methods up to the 4th or 5th order (where conventional IMS is 1st order and FAIMS is 2nd order) should be practical at field intensities accessible in ambient air, with still higher orders potentially achievable in insulating gases. Available experimental data suggest that higher-order separations should be largely orthogonal to each other and to FAIMS, IMS, and MS.     

Evaluation of false positive responses by mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry for the detection of trace explosives in complex samples

Secondary electrospray ionization-ion mobility-time of flight mass spectrometry (SESI-IM-TOFMS) was used to evaluate common household products and food ingredients for any mass or mobility responses that produced false positives for explosives. These products contained ingredients which shared the same mass and mobility drift time ranges as the analyte ions for common explosives. The results of this study showed that the vast array of compounds in these products can cause either mass or mobility false positive responses. This work also found that two ingredients caused either enhanced or reduced ionization of the target analytes. Another result showed that an IMS can provide real-time separation of ion species that impede accurate mass identifications due to overlapping isotope peak patterns. The final result of this study showed that, when mass and mobility values were used to identify an ion, no false responses were found for the target explosives. The wider implication of these results is that the possibility exists for even greater occurrences of false responses from complex mixtures found in common products. Neither IMS nor MS alone can provide 100% assurance from false responses. IMS, due to its low cost, ease of operation, rugged reliability, high sensitivity and tunable selectivity, will remain the field method of choice for the near future but, when combined with MS, can also reduce the false positive rate for explosive analyses.     

Separation of benzodiazepines by electrospray ionization ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry

Benzodiazepines are a commonly abused class of drugs; requiring analytical techniques that can separate and detect the drugs in a rapid time period. In this paper, the two-dimensional separation of five benzodiazepines was shown by electrospray ionization (ESI) ion mobility spectrometry (IMS)-mass spectrometry (MS). In this study, both the two dimensions of separation (m/z and mobility) and the high resolution of our IMS instrument enabled confident identification of each of the five benzodiazepines studied. This was a significant improvement over previous IMS studies that could not separate many of the analytes due to low instrumental resolution. The benzodiazepines that contain a hydroxyl group in their molecular structure (lorazepam and oxazepam) were found to form both the protonated molecular ion and dehydration product as predominant ions. Experiments to isolate the parametric reasons for the dehydration ion formation showed that it was not the result of corona discharge processes or the potential applied to the needle. However, the potential difference between the needle and first drift ring did influence both the relative intensity ratios of the two ions and the ion sensitivity.     

Letter: A simple ion source set-up for desorption/ionization on silicon with ion mobility spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry

Using a simple ion source set-up, laser desorption/ionization on silicon (DIOS) was demonstrated with the use of a custom-made drift tube ion mobility spectrometer (IMS), mounted on a commercial triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, and with an IMS equipped with a Faraday plate detector. DIOS was tested by mobility measurement of tetrapropylammonium iodide, tetrabutylammonium iodide and tetrapentylammonium iodide, whilst 2,6-di-tert- butylpyridine was used as a standard. The reduced mobilities measured for the test halides are in concordance with previously obtained ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry data.