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Neutral desorption sampling coupled to extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for rapid differentiation of biosamples by metabolomic fingerprinting
Author(s) -
Chen Huanwen,
Wortmann Arno,
Zenobi Renato
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9888
pISSN - 1076-5174
DOI - 10.1002/jms.1282
Subject(s) - chemistry , mass spectrometry , desorption electrospray ionization , metabolomics , extractive electrospray ionization , chromatography , analytical chemistry (journal) , detection limit , sample preparation , environmental chemistry , electrospray ionization , chemical ionization , ionization , sample preparation in mass spectrometry , ion , organic chemistry
It is of increasing interest and practical importance to develop convenient methods based on mass spectrometry for high‐throughput analyses of biological samples. This is usually difficult because of the complex matrix and ion suppression effects. Generation of ions at ambient conditions is a promising solution to these problems because the sample is easily accessible and the ion suppression effect is reduced significantly. A new method for rapid on‐line detection of metabolic markers in complex biological samples is described here. It combines atmospheric pressure desorption sampling by a gentle stream of air or nitrogen with extractive electrospray ionization (EESI) and mass spectrometric analysis. The resulting mass spectral fingerprints are shown to be able to detect spoilage of meat even in the frozen (−20 °C) state and the contamination of spinach by E. coli , and to identify metabolites and contaminants on human skin within seconds, in an on‐line and high‐throughput fashion. Typical molecular markers are identified using MS/MS data and by comparison with reference compounds. Differences between closely related samples are easily visualized by using principal component analysis (PCA) of the mass spectra data. The detection limit achieved is 10 fg/cm 2 (S/N = 3) for histamine on the surface of frozen meat. The technique reported here shows potential for more advanced applications in multiple disciplines, including food regulation, homeland security, in vivo metabolomics, and clinical diagnosis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.