Identification of wheat varieties using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry and an artificial neural network

A novel tool for variety identification of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has been developed: an artificial neural network (ANN) is used to classify the gliadin fraction analysed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). The robustness of this novel method with respect to various experimental parameters has been tested. The results can be summarised: (i) With this approach 97% of the wheat varieties can be classified correctly with a corresponding correlation coefficient of 1.0, (ii) The method is fast since the time of extracting gliadins from flour can be reduced to 20 min without significant decrease in overall performance, (iii) The storage of flour or extracts under standard conditions does not influence the classification ability (i. e. the generalisation ability) of the method, and (iv) The classification obtained is not influenced by the identity of the operator making the analysis. This study demonstrates that a combination of an ANN and MALDI-TOFMS analysis of the gliadin fraction provides a fast and reliable tool for the variety identification of wheat. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular distribution of some commercial nonylphenol ethoxylates using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) belong to a group of nonionic surfactants that are collectively referred to as alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs). APEs find widespread use in heavy-duty commercial and household cleaning formulations, shampoos, and industrial processing, i.e. textile manufacture. Their environmental impact depends on the molecular distribution and the extent of their biodegradation in municipal sewage systems, waterways and rivers. We have established two sample preparation methods that have enabled the determination of the molecular distributions of six commercial nonylphenol ethoxylates using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). In both methods, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, dissolved in acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran, was used as the matrix. In one set of experiments, the NPEs were dissolved in an acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran solvent system prior to mixing with the matrix solution, and the resulting MALDI-TOF mass spectra produced mostly sodiated molecules [M + Na](+). The NPEs, all having the formula 4-(C(9)H(19))-C(6)H(4)-(OCH(2)CH(2))(n)-OH, are Surfonic (R)N-95, N-100, N-102, N-120, N-150 and N-300. Surfonic N-95 and N-100 gave n values of 5-20; Surfonic N-102, N-120, N-150, and N-300 gave n values of 5-21, 5-22, 8-25 and 15-40, respectively. In order to develop a sample preparation method that could be used with less polar NPEs, we dissolved the NPEs (except N-300) in pentane prior to mixing with the matrix solution, and found that the MALDI spectral quality was unaffected by the solvent systems. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical reactivity in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

During the control of a multistep organic synthesis on a soluble polymer (PEG) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry, a chemical reactivity was encountered when the matrix was acidic, for the samples where the amino moiety of the anchored compounds was protected as a Schiff base. Such imine hydrolysis was proven to be solely mediated by the acidic matrix during analyses since the expected protected structures were detected when the experiments were duplicated with a non-acidic matrix. Even if MALDI mass spectrometry was found to be more convenient than electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the monitoring of liquid phase organic syntheses, the chemical reactivity imparted by the use of a matrix must be taken into account to avoid erroneous spectra interpretations. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of partially transesterified poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoate)s using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) was used for the characterization of a partially transesterified poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoate), PHA, polymer produced by the bacterial strain Alcaligenes eutrophus using saponified vegetable oils as the sole carbon sources. The transesterification was carried out separately under acidic and basic conditions to obtain PHA oligomers weighing less than 10 kDa. The intact oligomers were detected in their cationized [M + Na](+) and [M + K](+) forms by MALDI-TOFMS. A composition analysis, using the MALDI-TOF spectra, indicate that the oligomers obtained via acid catalysis were terminated with a methyl 3-hydroxybutyrate end group, and those obtained by base catalysis had a methyl crotonate (olefinic) termination. In addition to HB (hydroxy butyrate), the oligomers were found to contain a small percentage of HV (hydroxy valerate). This was independently confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In comparison, the analysis of a commercial PHA polymer, transesterified under identical conditions, only showed the presence of HB, i.e. a pure PHB homopolymer. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification and quantification of amyloid beta-related peptides in human plasma using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β-secretase and γ-secretase leads to the generation and deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). N-terminally or C-terminally truncated Aβ variants have been found in human cerebrospinal fluid and cultured cell media using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Unfortunately, the profile of plasma Aβ variants has not been revealed due to the difficulty of isolating Aβ from plasma. We present here for the first time studies of Aβ and related peptides in human plasma. Twenty-two Aβ-related peptides including novel peptides truncated before the β-secretase site were detected in human plasma and 20 of the peptides were identified by tandem mass spectrometry. Using an internal standard, we developed a quantitative assay for the Aβ-related peptides and demonstrated plasma dilution linearity and the precision required for their quantitation. The present method should enhance the understanding of APP processing and clearance in AD progression.     

Formation of macrocyclic oligoferrocenes: a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric study

Oligomeric ferrocenes were investigated simultaneously by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). The oligomers were obtained by the reaction of tetrahydro-4,4,8,8-tetramethyl-4,8-disila-s-indacene-3a,7a-diyldilithium (Li(2)L) with FeCl(2).1.5 THF (THF = tetrahydrofuran). Depending on the reaction conditions up to ten linear-chain and eleven cyclic ferrocene oligomers with masses between 1139 and 5071 Da could be detected unambiguously. The most abundant macrocycles contained ten and seven iron atoms when the reactions were carried out at -20 and 25 degrees C, respectively. The chains had cyclopentadienes as end groups and formally resulted from replacing one iron of a cycle by two hydrogens, which corresponds to a mass difference of 54 Da. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of nanodiamonds in human body fluid analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Direct mass spectrometric analysis of complex biological samples is very important and challenging. In this paper, nanodiamonds have been successfully used in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric analysis of human serum and urine. As a practical tool and platform, it can be widely used in the field of humoral proteomics, and it plays a very promising role in clinical diagnosis, including identification of novel disease-associated biomarkers.     

Exploring the frontiers of synthetic eumelanin polymers by high-resolution matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization mass spectrometry

New trends in material science and nanotechnologies have spurred growing interest in eumelanins black insoluble biopolymers derived by tyrosinase-catalysed oxidation of tyrosine via 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI) and its 2-carboxylic acid (DHICA). Efficient antioxidant and photoprotective actions, associated with peculiar optoelectronic properties, are recognised as prominent functions of eumelanin macromolecules within the human and mammalian pigmentary system, making them unique candidates for the realisation of innovative bio-inspired functional soft materials, with structure-based physical-chemical properties. An unprecedented breakthrough into the mechanism of synthetic eumelanin buildup has derived from a detailed investigation of the oxidative polymerization of DHI and its N-methyl derivative (NMDHI) by linear and reflectron matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization mass spectrometry. Regular collections of oligomers of increasing masses, spanning the entire m/z ranges up to 5000?Da (>30-mer) and 8000?Da (> 50-mer) for the two building blocks, respectively, were disclosed. It is the first time that the in vitro polymerisation of dihydroxyindoles to form synthetic eumelanins is explored up to its high mass limits, giving at the same time information on the polymerisation mode, whether it follows a stepwise pattern (being this the conclusion in our case) or a staking sequencing of small-sized entities. It also highlighted the influence of the N-methyl substituent on the polymerization process; this opens the way to the production of N-functionalized, synthetic eumelanin-inspired soft materials, for possible future technological applications.     

Frequency scan for the analysis of high mass ions generated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization in a paul trap

An ion trap has been modified for the analysis of high mass ions generated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization. Samples are deposited on a probe tip and introduced directly onto the hyperbolically shaped surface of one endcap. All three electrodes - both the endcaps and the ring electrode - are insulated so that the radio frequency (Rf) voltage may be applied to the center ring electrode and the inverted Rf voltage to the endcaps. By using low frequencies (below 100 kHz) and low amplitudes (below 200 V), high mass singly charged ions may be trapped and analyzed by a frequency sweep at constant amplitude. In the high mass range (60-160 kDa), this instrument showed good sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratios, and mass resolution. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of cancer cell lipids using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization 15-T Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

A combination of methodologies using the extremely high mass accuracy and resolution of 15-T Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry (MS) was introduced for the identification of intact cancer cell phospholipids. Lipids from a malignant glioma cell line were initially analyzed at a resolution of >200,000 and identified by setting the mass tolerance to ±1 mDa using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) 15-T FT-ICR MS in positive ion mode. In most cases, a database search of potential lipid candidates using the exact masses of the lipids yielded only one possible chemical composition. Extremely high mass accuracy (<0.1?ppm) was then attained by using previously identified lipids as internal standards. This, combined with an extremely high resolution (>800,000), yielded well-resolved isotopic fine structures allowing for the identification of lipids by MALDI 15-T FT-ICR MS without using tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) analysis. Using this method, a total of 38 unique lipids were successfully identified.