Silver sulfonates. A novel calibration material for field desorption mass spectrometry

An equimolar mixture of silver methanesulfonate and silver trifluoromethanesulfonate has been investigated as a calibration material for exact mass determination in field desorption mass spectrometry. The mass scale was established using only field desorption by double exposure of the calibration material and the sample on a photographic plate. The precision and the accuracy of the method were tested by recording the mass spectra of a variety of peptides of known composition at a resolution of about 4000. The results indicate that the mass scale established is useful for the determination of the exact masses of field desorbed ions over the mass range examined: m/z 294–1147.     

About the plausible contribution of field ionization in the mechanism of the formation of dyes of ions under conditions of laser desorption/ionization from a nanostructurized graphite surface

An approach is proposed for the estimation of the contribution of field ionization (FI) to the mechanism of dye ion formation under the conditions of laser desorption/ionization (LDI) from a nanostructurized graphite surface. As test systems, rough graphite layers with dyes, e.g., imidazophenazine derivatives applied to them were chosen; these ensure FI in a strong electric field. The dyes form three neutral precursors upon reduction and various types of ions in different ionization methods. It was found that the mass distribution within the group of peaks formed by the initial dye molecule and the products of its reduction in the positive ion mode upon LDI from a rough graphite surface is shifted to lower masses by one atomic mass unit in comparison to the distribution recorded for LDI from a smooth metal support. The analysis of plausible pathways of ion formation has shown that such a shift may be due to the superposition of ions formed by the FI mechanism on a graphite substrate with a number of ions formed by protonation in LDI with no dependence on the support type. In the negative ion mode, the registration of LDI dye spectra succeeded only if the graphite substrates used favored negative FI and electron emission enhanced by the field.     

Sensitivity of redox reactions of dyes to variations of conditions created in mass spectrometric experiments

Redox behaviour of four imidazophenazine dye derivatives under mass spectrometric conditions of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), laser desorption/ionization (LDI) from metal and graphite surface, electrospray, low temperature secondary ion mass spectrometry (LT SIMS) and fast atom bombardment (FAB) was studied and distinctions in the reduction-dependent spectral patterns were analyzed from the point of view of different quantities of protons and electrons available for reduction in different techniques. The reduction products [M + 2H](+*), [M + 3H](+) and M(-*), [M + H](-) were observed in the positive and negative ion modes, respectively, which permitted to suggest independent occurrence of reduction and protonation/deprotonation processes. LDI from graphite substrate was the only technique that allowed us to obtain abundant negative ions of all dye derivatives. The yield of field ionization (FI) or field desorption (FD) mechanism to ion formation under LDI from rough graphite surface has been addressed. The sensitivity of reduction of the dyes to variation of reduction-initiating agents confirms high redox activity of the dyes essential for their functioning in natural and artificial systems.     

Protein identification with Teflon as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization sample support

Protein identification is a critical step in proteomics, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) plays an important role in that identification. Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) was tested as a new MALDI sample support to improve protein identification. The tryptic peptides obtained from a model protein were bound to the surface of a modified MALDI sample holder via the hydrophobic interactions that occur between the Teflon surface and the peptide ion-pairs, and the affinity of alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid for the peptides. During that surface-binding step, the peptide mixture was also desalted and concentrated. A greater number of matched peptides and a larger sequence coverage were obtained for the proteins when Teflon was used as the sample support compared with conventional sample preparation methods and a stainless-steel surface. In addition, the characterization of a small amount of protein was improved with Teflon. Nine silver-stained protein spots obtained from 2-D gel of a human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteome were identified by this method. Among the nine protein spots, peptide 6:c3c fragment and procollagen c-proteinase enhancer were not annotated in any published 2-D map of human CSF. A Teflon MALDI sample support is a low-cost, simple, and effective method that can be used to improve the quality of the MALDI mass spectrum of a complex tryptic peptide mixture, and to achieve a higher level of reliability and success in protein identification.     

Forensic Identification of Dyes in Ballpoint Pen Inks Using LC–ESI–MS

The aim of this work was to develop a new technique using flow injection analysis combined with LC–ESI–MS which allows identification of dyes in ballpoint pen inks. A sample preparation procedure for the extraction of dyes from ballpoint pen strokes has been developed. The characteristic group of ions for each sample of 21 studied ballpoint pen inks corresponding to the present dyes has been determined using flow injection method. LC separation conditions for identified dyes have been optimized on reversed-phase sorbent based on silica gel. The best composition of the mobile phase for the dyes mixture LC separation was 0.1% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile. Detection of dyes was carried out using mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in positive and negative modes after reversed-phase liquid chromatography separation. Dye composition of ink was additionally confirmed comparing the data obtained from the literature. Flow injection analysis allows obtaining intensive ions of unknown strokes. It is difficult to get this information using only chromatographic methods, because dyes peak intensity can be low and noise of basic line high. Flow injection method allows distinguishing the analyzed 21 ballpoint pens by determining a characteristic set of dyes. The developed flow injection technique is very simple and quick. As a result, a novel approach for the identification of dyes in the ballpoint pen inks by flow injection analysis with LC–ESI–MS and UV detection without using standard dye samples has been established. It can be an effective alternative to the existing LC–DAD–MS and IR spectroscopy methods.     

Etude electrochimique du complexe phenylene-bis(salicylidene iminato)cobalt en solution et du complexe polycondense en solution et fixe sur l'electrode. Application a la reduction electroassistee du chlrure de benzyle

The electrochemical behaviour of CoSaloph (Salopy  phenylbis(salicylidene-iminato) was investigated in solution in organic solvents.The polymer complexes Co(Saloph)_n have been prepared and modified electrodes coated with a film of polymer or with a mixture of graphite and polymer have been prepared and their electrochemical properties compared to those of the monomer.Quantitative electro-assisted reduction of benzyl chloride at controlled potential was performed with both types of complexes. In spite of poor yields, this example demonstrates the possibility of the transposition of homogeneous catalysis with coordination compounds on modified electrodes in the field of organic electro-synthesis.     

肉类制品中微量锶的分离及^87Sr/^86Sr同位素比值测定

利用87Sr/86Sr同位素比值进行生物和古人类源区与迁徙的示踪是Sr同位素技术应用的新领域,也是考古研究和肉类食品溯源研究的新尝试。本研究对牛肉干粉采用酸溶、微波消解和灰化后硝酸提取等不同方法进行消解,比较了它们的离子交换分离效果和Sr同位素测定结果;用石英、石墨和瓷坩埚3种器皿对牛肉干粉进行灰化,检测了灰化器皿对87Sr/86Sr同位素比值的影响,从而确定了石英坩埚灰化的消解方法,建立了适合于肉类制品微量Sr的化学分离方法与87Sr/86Sr同位素比值测定方法。本方法包括肉类制品的石英坩埚灰化、离子交换分离和87Sr/86Sr比值的热离子化质谱测定。所建方法对肉类食品溯源和考古研究等领域富含有机质样品的Sr同位素比值测定具有普适性。     

Coupling of thermal desorption in modified closeable sampling columns with wide-bore capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometric detection

In contrast to usability of Curie-point pyrolysis at 700°C directly attached to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for determination of organic wood preservatives in waste wood samples the investigation method reported here consists of thermal desorption at temperatures about 260°C in connection with GC-MS for peak identification or GC with flame ionization detection for quantitative analyses. So-called “modified closeable sampling columns” are used as batch-reactor in thermal desorption experiments. Desorbed vapours can be introduced on capillary columns without sample discrimination and without a disturbing lost of resolution. In this manner a lot of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determinated in waste wood samples, especially in railway sleepers.     

Negative ion field desorption mass spectra of some inorganic and organic compounds

Field desorption of negative ions can be achieved below the threshold of field electron emission. To this end a mixture of the sample with polyethylene oxide and water was applied to smooth wire cathodes. The mass spectra of some inorganic and organic compounds are reported. Anionization by [CI]^? ion attachment is demonstrated with the examples of 20-hydroxycholesterol and sucrose.     

Development of a graphite low‐temperature plasma source with dual‐mode in‐source fragmentation for ambient mass spectrometry

A new low‐temperature plasma (LTP), based on dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), has been developed as an alternative ionization source for ambient mass spectrometry. For organic samples, the source is able to produce two different fragmentation patterns which are selectable by an electrical switch. The two source modes are different only in the second electrodes: in configuration (A), bar‐plate and in configuration (B), coaxial bar–cylinder shapes are used. A disposable graphite probe is used as the first electrode, the same in both configurations, and a copper foil is used as the second electrode. The ionization source is applicable to gas and liquid samples, without any change being necessary in its design. Under optimal conditions, to take ethylbenzene as an example, a detection limit of less than 25 ng was obtained and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 13.36% has been demonstrated for 50 ng of ethylbenzene (n = 11). We have found several interesting differences in the mass spectra of the tested volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the two modes, which might be applicable in identification studies. We have investigated the effect of variation of the first electrode material and the second electrode length in mode B. Moreover, in this design the graphite electrode is capable of acting as a sample adsorbent, which is a new sampling method for LTP mass spectrometry (MS). This capability was investigated by adsorption of the selected VOCs onto the surface of the graphite electrode in a headspace solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) system, and direct desorption and ionization of the samples by LTPMS. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Positive and negative‐mode laser desorption/ionization‐mass spectrometry (LDI‐MS) for the detection of indigoids in archaeological purple

Laser‐based ionization techniques have demonstrated to be a valuable analytical tool to study organic pigments by mass spectrometric analyses. Though laser‐based ionization techniques have identified several natural and synthetic organic dyes and pigments, they have never been used in the characterization of purple. In this work, positive and negative‐mode laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI‐MS) was used for the first time to detect indigoids in shellfish purple. The method was used to study organic residues collected from archaeological ceramic fragments that were known to contain purple, as determined by a classical high‐performance liquid chromatography‐based procedure. LDI‐MS provides a mass spectral fingerprint of shellfish purple, and it was found to be a rapid and successful tool for the identification of purple. In addition, a comparison between positive and negative mode ionization highlighted the complementarity of the two ionization modes. On the one hand, the negative‐ion mode LDI‐MS showed a better selectivity and sensitivity to brominated molecules, such as 6,6'‐dibromoindigo, 6‐monobromoindigo, 6,6'‐dibromoindirubin, 6‐ and 6’‐monobromoindirubin, thanks to their electronegativity, and produced simpler mass spectra. On the other hand, negative‐ion mode LDI‐MS was found to have a lower sensitivity to non‐brominated compounds, such as indigo and indirubin, whose presence can be established in any case by collecting the complementary positive‐ion LDI mass spectrum. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Removal of cationic dyes: basic magenta and methylene blue from aqueous solution by adsorption on modified loofah

Modified loofah was prepared by a simple chemical graft method to improve its adsorption for cationic dyes. Experimental results showed that the maximum amounts of basic magenta and methylene blue loaded on the modified loofah were 83.5 and 85.5 mg g^?1, and that on the unmodified loofah were 22.2 and 33.7 mg g^?1, respectively. The adsorption for both dyes could reach equilibrium after 300 min. A pseudo-second-order model is suitable for describing the adsorption and desorption kinetics of both dyes on the modified sorbent. According to the intra-particle diffusion model, sorption and desorption processes for the two dyes both presented two distinct phases and were mainly controlled by intra-particle diffusion. The dye-loaded modified loofah could be regenerated by using the mixture solution of HCl and ethanol (V_HCl:V_ethanol = 3:2) as eluent. Adsorption in the binary system showed that adsorption of the dyes was depressed by the presence of the other dye, and the two dyes could be removed efficiently when the initial concentrations were lower than 5.0 × 10^?5 mol L^?1. The Langmuir competitive model was suitable to predict the sorption isotherm in the binary system.     

Specific capture of phosphopeptides on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry targets modified by magnetic affinity nanoparticles

Specific capture of phosphopeptides from protein digests is a critical step for identification of phosphoproteins by mass spectrometry. In this study, we report a novel phosphopeptide-capture approach based on the specific interaction of phosphopeptides with a stainless steel target modified with magnetic affinity nanoparticles. The modification which was carried out by loading the suspension of nanoparticles into sample wells of the target did not require any pretreatment procedure to the target and did not involve chemical binding reactions. To isolate phosphopeptides, digests were loaded into the wells of the modified target for 10 min incubation, followed by rinsing with washing buffer to remove unbound species; matrix was then added to the captured phosphopeptides prior to analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). Capturing the phosphopeptides on the modified target simplified significantly analytical operations and reduced sample loss. This approach has been applied to solution digests of alpha-casein, beta-casein, and a mixture of five proteins; a number of phosphopeptides were confidently detected. Phosphopeptides from digests of 10 fmol beta-casein could be isolated and detected by MALDI-TOFMS with this method. In addition, this approach has been applied successfully to the isolation of phosphopeptides from in-gel digestive products of sub-pmol phosphoproteins after separation by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).     

Analysis of sulfonated compounds by reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography—Mass spectrometry with on-line removal of non-volatile tetrabutyl ammonium ion-pairing agents

Summary An ion-pair reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography method with tetrabutyl ammonium salts as ion-pairing agents and mass spectrometric detection has been developed for sulfonated compounds with special focus on structural identification. A cation exchange suppressor cartridge placed between the UV detector and the ion source of the mass spectrometer completely removed the non-volatile ion-pairing agent resulting in excellent conditions for both electrospray ioniziation and atmospheric pressure chemical ioniziation. Peak broadening caused by the dead volume of the suppressor is negligible. The application range of this method is demonstrated by the structural identification of individual compounds within a complex mixture of model substances consisting of sulfonated aromatics, textile dyes and detergents with as many as four sulfonic acid groups, all largely differing from each other in their structural properties. The influence of the ion-pairing agent's counter ion on retention behaviour is also discussed.     

Probing peptide libraries from Conus achatinus using mass spectrometry and cDNA sequencing: identification of delta and omega-conotoxins

The peptide library present in the venom of the piscivorous marine snail Conus achatinus has been probed using a combination of mass spectrometry and cDNA sequencing methods. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) analysis, before and following global reduction/alkylation of peptide mixtures, permits the rapid classification of individual components on the basis of the number of disulfide bonds. Mass fingerprinting and the reverse phase HPLC retention times permit a further deconvolution of the library in terms of peptide size and hydrophobicity. Sequencing of cDNA derived using O-superfamily specific primers yielded five complete conotoxin precursor sequences, ranging in polypeptide length from 75-87 residues containing six Cys residues at the C-terminus. Sequence analysis permits classification of the five putative mature peptides (Ac 6.1 to Ac 6.5) as delta, omega, and omega-like conotoxins. The presence of these predicted peptides in crude venom was established by direct matrix assisted laser desorption ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS/MS) sequencing following trypsin digestion of the peptide mixture after global reduction/alkylation. The determination of partial peptide sequences and comparison with the predicted sequences resulted in the identification of four of the five predicted conotoxins. The characterization of posttranslationally modified analogs, which are hydroxylated at proline or amidated at the C-terminus is also demonstrated. Crude venom analysis should prove powerful in studying both inter- and intra-species variation in peptide libraries.     

An optimized protocol for nano-LC-MALDI-TOF-MS coupling for the analysis of proteolytic digests of glycoproteins

Matrix-assissted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) analyses of complete proteolytic digests are often hampered by contaminations and the complexity of the sample. This results in suppression effects and the formation of adducts which are difficult to assign, thus leading to low scores in database searches. In particular, signals of post-translationally modified peptides such as glycopeptides are often of low intensity or completely suppressed. Online liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) can, in part, overcome this problem, but the analytes are completely consumed during the run. Coupling of nano-flow HPLC (nano-LC), microfractionation and MALDI-TOF-MS combines separation and high-sensitivity UV detection with the possibility of collecting fractionated peptides and preserving the sample for detailed mass spectrometric analyses. Here we report on an optimized protocol for nano-LC-MALDI-TOF-MS analyses of glycoproteins. This protocol improves spectral quality, resulting in better protein identification scores in database searches. Furthermore, post-translationally modified peptides could be detected with higher sensitivity by changing the experimental conditions, allowing assignment, localization and characterization of the respective carbohydrate substituents.     

Adsorption of organic anions from aqueous solutions by layered silicates modified with cationic surfactant

The interaction of anionic organic dyes with layered silicates (kaolinite and hydromica) both natural and modified with a cationic surfactant (cetylpyridinium bromide) is studied by adsorption and spectral methods. The adsorption of organic anions by modified silicates is proved to proceed via the formation of ionic associates of these adsorbates with the modifier. It is found that the interaction of large organic anions with the modifier results in the desorption of the latter, followed by its secondary adsorption in the form of ionic associates with the adsorbates. The selectivity of layered silicates modified with the cationic surfactant to organic anionic dyes is determined by the stability of the formed dye/modifier ionic associates and their affinity to the surface. These factors depend on the sizes of the hydrocarbon moieties of both components of the associates. Therefore, the selection of a suitable modifier allows one to control the selectivity of modified minerals to different organic anions. Using long-chain organic cations as modifiers, organic anions of any sizes can be extracted from aqueous solutions.     

Acylation d'aromatiques sous irradiation micro-onde en présence de graphite

Acylation of aromatics under microwaves in the presence of graphite. Under microwave irradiation, acylations of aromatic compounds could be achieved in the presence of graphite powder, used either to support the reagents (dry medium), or in small amount (solid-liquid medium). The process takes advantage both of the interaction of the graphite with the electromagnetic field and with the organic compounds. Acylations were achieved in an open reactor and at temperatures notably higher than the boiling point of the reagents. A catalytic effect of metallic inclusions present on the graphite surface, in particular iron ones (magnetite), has been established.     

Use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass mapping and nanospray liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry sequence tag analysis for high sensitivity identification of yeast proteins separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Current analytical techniques in protein identification by mass spectrometry are based on the generation of peptide mass maps or sequence tags that are idiotypic for the protein sequence. This work reports on the development of the use of mass spectrometric methods for protein identification in research on metabolic pathways of a genetically modified strain of the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This study describes the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass mapping and liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/Q-TOF-ESI-MS/MS) sequence tag analysis in identification of yeast proteins separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE). The spots were selected for analysis in order to collect information for future studies, to cover the whole pI range from 3 to 10, and to evaluate information from spots of different intensities. Mass mapping as a rapid, high-throughput method was in most cases sensitive enough for identification. LC/MS/MS was found to be more sensitive and to provide more accurate data, and was very useful when analyzing small amounts of sample. Even one sequence tag acquired by this method could be enough for unambiguous identification, and, in the present case, successfully identified a point mutation.     

Conductive carbon tape as a sample platform for microwave-based MALDI MS detection of proteins and phosphoproteins

In this study, we developed a novel microwave-assisted protein preparation and digestion method for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis and identification of proteins that involves using conductive carbon tape as a sample platform for sample preparation (reduction and alkylation) and digestion under microwave heating and as a plate for MALDI analysis. This method allows for the enzymatic digestion products of proteins to be directly analyzed by MALDI mass spectrometry and results in a marked reduction in sample loss. Our protocol requires only a small volume (1 μL) of reaction solvent, which increases the frequency of enzyme-to-protein contact, thereby resulting in more efficient digestion of sample than conventional in-solution digestion methods. To test this protocol, we used magnetic iron (II, III) oxide nanoparticles as concentrating probes to enrich phosphopeptides from a mixture of peptides in enzymatically digested protein samples. We found that the one-pot on-tape-based protein preparation and digestion under microwave heating combined with the on-tape-based enrichment method not only dramatically reduced the time required for phosphopeptides analysis but also allowed for the simultaneous identification of phosphoproteins. The advantages of our protocol include ease of use, high digestion efficiency, high specificity, and rapid (15 min) identification of proteins and enrichment of phosphopeptides in a mixture of enzymatically digested protein samples.