Isomeric identification by laser control mass spectrometry

The influence shaped femtosecond laser pulses have on molecular photofragmentation and ionization, coupled with the intrinsic sensitivity of mass spectrometry, results in a powerful tool for fast, accurate, reproducible and quantitative isomeric identification. Complex phase functions are introduced to enhance differences during the laser-molecule interactions, which depend on geometric structure, resulting in different fragmentation fingerprints. A full account is given on the setup and results leading to a technique that can be used to distinguish between compounds normally indistinguishable by conventional electron ionization mass spectrometry. We demonstrate geometric and structural isomer identification of cis-/trans-3-heptene, cis-/trans-4-methyl-2-pentene, o-/p-cresol and o-/p-xylene. For the positional isomers of xylene we present a complete dataset consisting of 1024 different phases to explore phase complexity. A selection of two phases from that data can then be used to achieve quantitative identification in mixtures of xylene isomers. Finally, we evaluate receiver operational curves obtained from our experimental data to demonstrate the reliability that can be achieved by femtosecond laser control mass spectrometry.     

基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱研究（I）：林芳烃化合物

采用基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱（ＭＡＬＤＩ－ＴＯＦ－ＭＳ）对杯芳烃化合物进行了分析。探讨了样品的制备条件、仪器操作参数等因素对测定结果的影响。２５种样品的质谱数据表明,利用ＭＡＬＤＩ－ＴＯＦ－ＭＳ可非常方便地得到灵敏度、分辨率、准确度均较高,且易于识别和解析的质谱图,为此类化合物的质谱表征提供和建立了一种新的高效分析方法。     

Laser mass spectrometry for environmental and industrial chemical trace analysis

Resonant laser mass spectrometry is a promising method for chemical trace analysis since it combines selectivity, sensitivity and rapidity of measurement. It is a two-dimensional technique incorporating medium- or high-resolution UV spectroscopy and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. No sample preparation and chemical clean-up is necessary to reach detection limits in the sub-ppb range even when highly complicated mixtures of chemical species are analyzed. After an introduction to the principles of resonant laser mass spectrometry, illustrative examples of applications are presented. Drawbacks, possibilities of overcoming them, some interesting features and future developments of resonant laser mass spectrometry are discussed.     

Application of single-particle laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soot particles originating from an industrial combustion process

Combustion-related soot particles were sampled in situ from the stoker system of a 0.5 MW incineration pilot plant (feeding material was wood) at two different heights over the feed bed in the third air supply zone. The collected particles were re-aerosolized by a powder-dispersing unit and analyzed by a single-particle laser desorption/ionization (LDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometer (aerosol-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, ATOFMS). The ATOFMS instrument characterizes particles according to their aerodynamic size (laser velocimetry) and chemical composition (LDI mass spectrometry). Chemical species from the particles are laser desorbed/ionized by 266 nm Nd:YAG laser pulses. ATOFMS results on individual 'real world' particles in general give information on the bulk inorganic composition. Organic compounds, which are of much lower concentrations, commonly are not detectable. However, recent off-line laser microprobe mass spectrometric (LMMS) experiments on bulk soot aerosol samples have emphasized that organic compounds can be desorbed and ionized without fragmentation in LDI experiments from black carbonaceous matrices. This paper reports the successful transfer of the off-line results to on-line analysis of airborne soot particles by ATOFMS. The detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soot particles is addressed in detail. The results are interpreted in the context of the recent LMMS results. Furthermore, their relevance with respect to possible applications in on-line monitoring of combustion processes is discussed.     

Applications of laser microprobe mass spectrometry in organic analysis

The ability to focus the laser accurately onto the sample with a small beam diameter (2.0–3.0 μm) enables laser mass spectrometry to be used as a microprobe. Results from a fully automated ion-mapping system for laser mass spectrometry are described. These results show that the spatial resolution of the laser microprobe is primarily limited by the diameter of the laser beam. Factors such as laser power density, laser focus, sample preparation, and chemical environment influence the reproducibility of laser mass spectra significantly. Calibration curves obtained in the analysis of mixtures of phenanthrolines demonstrate that laser mass spectrometry can be used to quantify organic components. Preliminary results on the detection of neutral molecules resulting from metastable decomposition in the flight tube are also presented.     

A high-resolution scanning microprobe matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization ion source for imaging analysis on an ion trap/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer

A new scanning microprobe matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SMALDI) ion source for high spatial resolution has been developed for linear ion trap and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS). The source is fully compatible with commercial ion trap flanges (such as the LTQ series, Thermo Fisher Scientific). The source is designed for atmospheric pressure (AP) operation but is also suitable for mid-pressure operation. The AP mode is especially useful for investigating volatile compounds. The source can be interchanged with other ion sources within a minute when operated in the AP mode. Combining high-lateral resolution MALDI imaging with high mass resolution and high mass accuracy mass spectrometry, available in the FT-ICR mode, provides a new quality of analytical information, e.g. from biological samples. First results obtained with the new ion source demonstrate a maximum lateral resolution of 0.6 by 0.5 microm. Depending on the limit of detection of the chosen mass analyzer, however, the size of the focus had to be enlarged to a diameter of up to 8 microm in the FT-ICR mode, in order to create enough ions for detection. Mass spectra acquired for analytical imaging were obtained from single laser pulses per pixel in all the experiments. This mode allows us to investigate biological thin sections with desorption focus diameters in the micrometer range, known to cause complete evaporation of material under the laser focus with a very limited number of laser pulses. As a first example, peptide samples deposited in microstructures were investigated with the new setup. A high quality and validity of the acquired images were obtained in the ion trap mode due to the low limit of detection. High mass resolution and accuracy but poorer image quality were obtained in the ICR mode due to the lower detection sensitivity of the ICR detector.     

Chemical and Topographical Single‐Cell Imaging by Near‐Field Desorption Mass Spectrometry

Simultaneously acquiring chemical and topographical information within a single cell at nanoscale resolutions is vital to cellular biology, yet it remains a great challenge due to limited lateral resolutions and detection sensitivities. Herein, the development of near‐field desorption mass spectrometry for correlated chemical and topographical imaging is reported, thereby bridging the gap between laser‐based mass spectrometry (MS) methods and multimodal single‐cell imaging. Using this integrated platform, an imaging resolution of 250 nm and 3D topographically reconstructed chemical single‐cell imaging were achieved. This technique offers more in‐depth cellular information than micrometer‐range laser‐based MS imaging methods. Considering the simplicity and compact size of the near‐field device, this technique can be introduced to MALDI‐MS, expanding the multimodal abilities of MS at nanoscale resolutions.     

Laser flash photolysis in a O3/Cl2 mixture at 266 nm in a very low-pressure flow system

The laser flash photolysis in a very low-pressure flow system with mass spectrometry detection technique was developed for the study of oxidation reactions of chlorofluorocarbons. In this work, we have studied the UV photolysis of O3 in the presence of Cl2 at room temperature, which presents two catalytic cycles of O3 depletion with efficiencies dependent on the partial pressures in the photoreactor. The ozone dissociation was initiated with fourth harmonic pulses of a Nd:YAG laser. The detection of the reactants and the final and intermediate reaction products was performed with real-time mass spectrometry. The variations of the O3, Cl2 and ClO concentration were measured. The equations system associated to a proposed kinetic scheme was solved numerically and excellent agreement with the experimental results was obtained. The results from this work allowed the determination of the wall loss rates of the O(1D), Cl and ClO radicals.     

Identification of flavone aglycones and glycosides in soybean pods by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

High-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry was used to identify flavone aglycones and glycosides in soybean pods. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS and MS-MS-MS) and photodiode array detection were also utilized in flavone characterization. A total of seven flavone aglycones and glycosides were identified. Among them three flavone aglycones--apigenin, 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone, and luteolin--and two flavone glycosides--apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside, and luteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside--were unambiguously identified based on their abundant (M+H)+ ions, UV spectra, retention time, and tandem mass spectrometric analysis compared with authentic standards. The tentative identification of two flavone glycosides as 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone-7-O-beta-D-glucoside and apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside-6"-O-malonate was based on UV spectra, (M+H)+ ions, and tandem mass spectrometry. This is the first report identifying flavone aglycones and glycosides in soybean pods.     

Integration of ion-exchange chromatography fractionation with reversed-phase liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometer and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for isolation and identification of compounds in Psoralea corylifolia

An approach for the separation and identification of components in a traditional Chinese medicine Psoralea corylifolia was developed. Ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) was applied for the fractionation of P. corylifolia extract, and then followed by concentration of all the fractions with rotary vacuum evaporator. Each of the enriched fractions was then further separated on an ODS column with detection of UV absorbance and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometer (APCI/MS), respectively, and also analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) with matrix of oxidized carbon nanotubes. Totally more than 188 components in P. corylifolia extract were detected with this integrated approach, and 12 of them were preliminary identified according to their UV spectra and mass spectra performed by APCI/MS and MALDI-TOF/MS. The obtained analytical results not only demonstrated the powerful resolution of integration IEC fractionation with reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC)-APCI/MS and MALDI-TOF/MS for analysis of compounds in a complex sample, but also exhibited the superiority of APCI/MS and MALDI-TOF/MS for identification of low-mass compounds, such as for study of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and metabolome.     

磷酸化肽段分离富集方法研究进展

目前磷酸化肽段鉴定主要依赖于质谱技术,但磷酸化肽段的低丰度性以及来自非磷酸化肽段的干扰等因素,影响质谱的分析与鉴定。因此质谱分析前磷酸化肽段的富集,是深入研究磷酸化蛋白质组学的先决条件。该文介绍了磷酸化蛋白质组学中传统的以及新建立的一些磷酸化肽段分离富集方法的原理及优缺点,这些方法包括固相金属离子亲和色谱法(IMAC)、金属氧化亲和色谱法(MOAC)、强阳/阴离子交换色谱法(SCX/SAX)、亲水相互作用色谱法(HILIC)、静电排斥亲水相互作用色谱法(ERLIC)、化学衍生法、MALDI靶盘富集法以及多种富集方法相结合。     

Analysis of amphetamines and fentanyls by atmospheric pressure desorption/ionization on silicon mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and its application to forensic analysis of drug seizures

The suitability of atmospheric pressure desorption/ionization on silicon mass spectrometry (AP-DIOS-MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (AP-MALDI-MS) for the identification of amphetamines and fentanyls in forensic samples was studied. With both ionization techniques, the mass spectra recorded showed abundant protonated molecules, and the background did not disturb the analysis. The use of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) allowed unambiguous identification of the amphetamines and fentanyls. AP-DIOS-MS/MS and AP-MALDI-MS/MS were also successfully applied to the identification of authentic compounds from drug seizures. Common diluents and tablet materials did not disturb the analysis and compounds were unequivocally identified. The limits of detection (LODs) for amphetamines and fentanyls with AP-DIOS-MS/MS were 1-3 pmol, indicating excellent sensitivity of the method. The LODs with AP-MALDI-MS/MS were about 5-10 times higher.     

基于微流控芯片-质谱联用的细胞分析研究进展

微流控芯片与质谱联用为细胞研究提供了一个很好的研究平台.质谱的高灵敏度和对化合物独特的鉴别能力可以从复杂的化学信息背景中筛选识别出微量目标物,是细胞分析理想的检测手段.本文重点综述了近年来基于微流控芯片-质谱联用技术的细胞研究进展,从芯片-电喷雾质谱(ESI-MS)接口技术、集成化的样品前处理技术、细胞的药物代谢和细胞相互作用研究及基质辅助激光解吸电离质谱(MALDI-MS)的细胞分析应用等方面总结了最新的方法和技术发展.并展望了芯片-质谱联用新技术应用于细胞分析的可能性.     

Highly sensitive liquid chromatographic method combined with online ion suppression to remove interfering anions and mass spectrometry for impurity profiling of paromomycin sulfate

A previously developed high-performance liquid chromatography method combined with pulsed amperometric detection allowed to separate many impurities of paromomycin. However, due to the presence of ion pairing agents and sodium hydroxide in the mobile phase, direct coupling to mass spectrometry for the identification of the chemical structures of the impurities was not an option. Indeed, ion suppression was encountered by trifluoroacetic acid and pentafluoroproponic acid in the mobile phase. A cation self-regenerating suppressor, which was originally designed for increasing analyte conductivity of ammonia and amines analysis in ion chromatography, was coupled between the liquid chromatography and ion trap-time of flight-mass spectrometry and almost all trifluoroacetic acid and pentafluoroproponic acid in the mobile phase was removed. The limit of detection of paromomycin in this integrated system improved significantly to 20 ng/ml (0.4 ng). The chemical structures of 19 impurities were elucidated and seven impurities were reported for the first time.     

激光电离飞行时间质谱技术用于古代瓷片中元素的检测及元素成像分析

采用自制激光电离飞行时间质谱(LI-TOF-MS)及多元素成像体系,尝试分析了古瓷片中的多种元素.对一块北宋龙泉青瓷瓷片及一块仿古青瓷瓷片样品进行了表面元素分析,所得多元素半定量分析结果表明,这两种瓷片的胎体和釉面中所含元素的种类及含量存在差异;同时对一块明代青花瓷片进行表面多元素成像分析,获得Co,Mn,Fe,Ni,Ba,Ca,Mg,Na,Al,Si,P,K,Cu,Zn和Rb的元素成像图.     

基于液相色谱-质谱联用的代谢组学研究中代谢物的结构鉴定进展

基于液相色谱-质谱联用的代谢组学技术因其高效分离能力和高灵敏检测能力已成为生命科学研究的重要手段,但由于缺乏有效的通用标准谱图库,检测到的大量代谢物的结构难以鉴定。这制约了代谢组学覆盖度的提高和生物标志物的发现,造成化学和生物信息的严重丢失,成为代谢组学发展的主要技术瓶颈。随着质谱仪器及计算机技术的进步,基于大气压电离质谱（API-MS）的代谢物结构鉴定技术飞速发展,本文从质谱仪器、代谢物分子结构式判别、数据库及谱图检索以及计算机辅助谱图解析等方面,对代谢物结构鉴定的最新进展进行了综述。     

Nanostructured silicon surface modifications for as a selective matrix-free laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry is an established soft ionization method that is widely applied to analyze biomolecules. The UV-absorbing organic matrix is essential for biomolecule ionization; however, it also creates matrix background interference, which results in problematic analyses of biomolecules of less than 700 Da. Therefore, this study investigates hydrophilic, hydrophobic cationic, anionic and immobilized metal ion surface chemical modifications to advance nanostructured silicon mass spectrometry performance (nSi-MS). This investigation provides information required for a possible novel mass spectroscopy that combines surface-enhanced and nanostructured silicon surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for the selective detection of specific compounds of a mixture.     

Applications of mass spectrometry to food proteins and peptides

The application of mass spectrometry (MS) to large biomolecules has been revolutionized in the past decade with the development of electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) techniques. ESI and MALDI permit solvent evaporation and sublimation of large biomolecules into the gaseous phase, respectively. The coupling of ESI or MALDI to an appropriate mass spectrometer has allowed the determination of accurate molecular mass and the detection of chemical modification at high sensitivity (picomole to femtomole). The interface of mass spectrometry hardware with computers and new extended mass spectrometric methods has resulted in the use of MS for protein sequencing, post-translational modifications, protein conformations (native, denatured, folding intermediates), protein folding/unfolding, and protein-protein or protein-ligand interactions. In this review, applications of MS, particularly ESI-MS and MALDI time-of-flight MS, to food proteins and peptides are described.     

反相高效液相色谱法及电喷雾离子阱质谱法分析中药复方制剂肾宝片

建立了一种反相高效液相色谱梯度洗脱,以检测波长切换方法,同时测定中药复方制剂肾宝片中5种主要成分的含量。采用Alltima C18柱,以乙腈-水为流动相,用检测波长切换法,将5种主要成分分离测定,并采用高效液相色谱与电喷雾离子阱质谱(MS^3)联用,成功分离和鉴别了该制剂中的20种成分。本文建立的方法简便、灵敏、准确、可靠,可用于中药制剂肾宝片的质量控制。