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Identification of carbohydrates by matrix‐free material‐enhanced laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Hashir Muhammad Ahsan,
Stecher Guenther,
Bakry Rania,
Kasemsook Saowapak,
Blassnig Bernhard,
Feuerstein Isabel,
Abel Gudrun,
Popp Michael,
Bobleter Ortwin,
Bonn Guenther K.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.3147
Subject(s) - chemistry , mass spectrometry , desorption , analytical chemistry (journal) , matrix (chemical analysis) , matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization , matrix assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization , laser , ionization , analyte , sample preparation , chromatography , organic chemistry , adsorption , optics , ion , physics
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) is a sensitive mass spectrometric technique which utilises acidic materials as matrices for laser energy absorption, desorption and ionisation of analytes. These matrix materials produce background signals particularly in the low‐mass range and make the detection and identification of small molecules difficult and nearly impossible. To overcome this problem this paper introduces matrix‐free material‐enhanced laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (mf‐MELDI‐MS) for the screening and analysis of small molecules such as carbohydrates. For this purpose, 4,4′‐azo‐dianiline was immobilised on silica gel enabling the absorption of laser energy sufficient for successful desorption and ionisation of low molecular weight compounds. The particle and pore sizes, the solvent system for suspension and the sample preparation procedures have been optimised. The newly synthesised MELDI material delivered excellent spectra with regard to signal–to‐noise ratio and detection sensitivity. Finally, wheat straw degradation products and Salix alba L. plant extracts were analysed proving the high performance and excellent behaviour of the introduced material. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.