Significant Sensitivity Improvements by Matrix Optimization: A MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometric Study of Lipids From Hen Egg Yolk

Kristin Teuber, Jürgen Schiller, Beate Fuchs, Michael Karas, Thorsten W Jaskolla

Chem Phys Lipids. 2010 Jun;163(6):552-60.

PMID: 20420816

Abstract:

Due to its sensitivity, the tolerance of impurities and the simplicity of performance, matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) is increasingly used to analyze lipids from biological sources. Although its detailed role is not understood so far, the applied matrix has a pronounced effect on the achievable spectrum quality and particularly how sensitive the individual lipid classes are detectable. Different matrix compounds were recently established in the lipid field including 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), 9-aminoacridine (9-AA), para-nitroaniline (PNA), 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), and 2-(2-aminoethylamino)-5-nitropyridine (AAN). It is the aim of this paper to compare the properties of these matrices with the newly synthesized matrix, alpha-cyano-2,4-difluorocinnamic acid (Di-FCCA). An organic extract from hen egg yolk was used as a simple and easily available test system. It will be shown that Di-FCCA is the matrix of choice to detect lipids in the positive-ion mode due to an achievable sensitivity gain of more than one order of magnitude compared to alternative matrices. In contrast, Di-FCCA is not suitable for negative-ion detection of phospholipids. Here, 9-AA is unequivocally the matrix of choice.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP953905516	α-Cyano-2,4-difluorocinnamic acid		953905-51-6	Price