Name: fizzy extraction of volatile organic compounds combined with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization quadrupole mass spectrometry
Uploaded: 2017-07-14T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fizzy Extraction of Volatile Organic Compounds Combined with Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry at JoVE.com

We would like to thank the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan (grant number: MOST 104-2628-M-009-003-MY4) for the financial support of this work.

This protocol assumes that all the steps are performed according to the relevant laboratory safety regulations. Some of the steps use commercial instruments - in those cases, manufacturer guidelines need to be followed. When handling toxic chemicals, MSDS guidelines need to be followed. The custom-made equipment4 must be operated cautiously; especially, when handling pressurized gases and live electric wiring.
1. Preparation of Standard Solution
<ol>
	<li>Prepare 6.2 ...

<ol>
	<li>McCallum, R. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Decompression+sickness:+a+review.">Decompression sickness: a review.</a> Brit J Industr Med. 25, 4-21 (1968).</li><li>Pawliszyn, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Comprehensive Sampling and Sample Preparation. , (2012).</li><li>Wang, T., Lenahan, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Determination+of+volatile+halocarbons+in+water+by+purge-closed+loop+gas+chromatography.">Determination of volatile halocarbons in water by purge-closed loop gas chromatography.</a> Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 32, 429-438 (1984).</li><li>Chang, C. -. H., Urban, P. 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G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Extractive+electrospray+ionization+for+direct+analysis+of+undiluted+urine,+milk+and+other+complex+mixtures+without+sample+preparation.">Extractive electrospray ionization for direct analysis of undiluted urine, milk and other complex mixtures without sample preparation.</a> Chem Commun. , 2042-2044 (2006).</li><li>Haddad, R., Sparrapan, R., Kotiaho, T., Eberlin, M. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Easy+ambient+sonic-spray+ionization-membrane+interface+mass+spectrometry+for+direct+analysis+of+solution+constituents.">Easy ambient sonic-spray ionization-membrane interface mass spectrometry for direct analysis of solution constituents.</a> Anal Chem. 80, 898-903 (2008).</li><li>Dixon, R. B., Sampson, J. S., Muddiman, D. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generation+of+multiply+charged+peptides+and+proteins+by+radio+frequency+acoustic+desorption+and+ionization+for+mass+spectrometric+detection.">Generation of multiply charged peptides and proteins by radio frequency acoustic desorption and ionization for mass spectrometric detection.</a> J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. 20, 597-600 (2009).</li><li>Wu, C. -. I., Wang, Y. -. S., Chen, N. G., Wu, C. -. Y., Chen, C. -. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ultrasound+ionization+of+biomolecules.">Ultrasound ionization of biomolecules.</a> Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 24, 2569-2574 (2010).</li><li>Lo, T. -. J., Chen, T. -. Y., Chen, Y. -. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Study+of+salt+effects+in+ultrasonication-assisted+spray+ionization+mass+spectrometry.">Study of salt effects in ultrasonication-assisted spray ionization mass spectrometry.</a> J Mass Spectrom. 47, 480-483 (2012).</li><li>Urban, P. L., Chen, Y. -. C., Wang, Y. -. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Time-Resolved Mass Spectrometry: From Concept to Applications. , (2016).</li><li>Peacock, P. M., Zhang, W. -. J., Trimpin, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Advances+in+ionization+for+mass+spectrometry.">Advances in ionization for mass spectrometry.</a> Anal Chem. 89, 372-388 (2017).</li><li>Hu, J. -. B., Chen, S. -. Y., Wu, J. -. T., Chen, Y. -. C., Urban, P. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Automated+system+for+extraction+and+instantaneous+analysis+of+millimeter-sized+samples.">Automated system for extraction and instantaneous analysis of millimeter-sized samples.</a> RSC Adv. 4, 10693-10701 (2014).</li><li>Chen, S. -. Y., Urban, P. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=On-line+monitoring+of+Soxhlet+extraction+by+chromatography+and+mass+spectrometry+to+reveal+temporal+extract+profiles.">On-line monitoring of Soxhlet extraction by chromatography and mass spectrometry to reveal temporal extract profiles.</a> Anal Chim Acta. 881, 74-81 (2015).</li><li>Hsieh, K. -. T., Liu, P. -. H., Urban, P. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Automated+on-line+liquid-liquid+extraction+system+for+temporal+mass+spectrometric+analysis+of+dynamic+samples.">Automated on-line liquid-liquid extraction system for temporal mass spectrometric analysis of dynamic samples.</a> Anal Chim Acta. 894, 35-43 (2015).</li><li>Veach, B. T., Mudalige, T. K., Rye, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=RapidFire+mass+spectrometry+with+enhanced+throughput+as+an+alternative+to+liquid&#8722;liquid+salt+assisted+extraction+and+LC/MS+analysis+for+sulfonamides+in+honey.">RapidFire mass spectrometry with enhanced throughput as an alternative to liquid&#8722;liquid salt assisted extraction and LC/MS analysis for sulfonamides in honey.</a> Anal Chem. , (2017).</li><li>Carroll, D. I., Dzidic, I., Stillwell, R. 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Corona discharge ion source for use in a liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer-computer analytical system.</a> Anal Chem. 47, 2369-2373 (1975).</li><li>Hakim, I. A., McClure, T., Liebler, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessing+dietary+D-limonene+intake+for+epidemiological+studies.">Assessing dietary D-limonene intake for epidemiological studies.</a> J Food Compos Anal. 13, 329-336 (2000).</li></ol>

Several smart ways to deliver samples to a mass spectrometer were developed in the studies conducted during the past three decades (e.g., references8,9,10,11,12,13,14). One of the goals of those studies was to simplify preparation of samples for analysis. To achieve that goal, vario...

Various phenomena observed in nature and daily life are linked to gas-liquid phase equilibriums. Carbon dioxide is dissolved in soft and alcoholic drinks under elevated pressure. When a bottle of such a fizzy drink is opened, the pressure drops down, and gas bubbles rush to the liquid surface. In this case, effervescence improves organoleptic properties of beverages. The release of gas bubbles is also the main cause of decompression sickness ("the bends")1. Due to sudden decompression, bubbles form in divers' bodies. The persons suffering from the decompression sickness are treated in hyperbaric chambers.
Gas bubbles have various applications in analytical chemistry. Notably, sparging methods rely on passing gas bubbles through liquid samples to extract volatile compounds2. For example, a method called "purge-closed loop" is combined with gas chromatography to enable rapid analysis of dissolved volatiles3. While sparging can continuously extract volatiles over time, it does not confine them in space or time. The released gas-phase species need to be trapped, and-in some cases-concentrated by applying a temperature program or using sorbents. Thus, there is a need to introduce new on-line sample treatment strategies, which could reduce the number of steps, and-at the same time-concentrate volatile analytes in space or time.
To address the challenge of extracting volatile compounds from liquid samples, and performing analysis on-line, we recently introduced "fizzy extraction"4. This new technique takes advantage of the effervescence phenomenon. Briefly, a carrier gas (here, carbon dioxide) is first dissolved in the sample by applying overpressure and stirring the sample. Then, the sample chamber is decompressed abruptly. The sudden decompression leads to formation of numerous carrier gas bubbles in the sample liquid. These bubbles assist the release of dissolved analyte species from the liquid to the gas phase. The released analytes are immediately transferred to the mass spectrometer, producing signals in the time domain. Because the release of the analyte species is confined to a short period of time (a few seconds), the temporal signals have high amplitudes and high signal-to-noise ratios.
The pressures involved in the fizzy extraction process are very low (~150 kPa)4; much lower than in supercritical fluid extraction5 (e.g., &#8805;10 MPa). The technique does not require the use of any special consumable items (columns, cartridges). Only small volumes of solvents are used for dilution and cleaning. The extraction device can be assembled by chemists with medium technical skills using widely available parts4; for example, open-source electronic modules6,7. Fizzy extraction can be coupled on-line with modern mass spectrometers equipped with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface. Because gas-phase extracts are transferred to the ion source, operation of fizzy extraction does not substantially contaminate vulnerable parts of the mass spectrometer.
The purpose of this visualized experiment article is to guide the viewers on how to implement fizzy extraction in a simple analytical task. While the core of the fizzy extraction system is as described in our previous report4, several improvements have been introduced to make the operation more straightforward. A microcontroller equipped with an LCD screen shield has been incorporated into the system to display the key extraction parameters in real time. All the functions are programmed in the microcontroller scripts, and there is no longer a need to use an external computer to control the extraction system.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="963">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:415px;">Water</td>
			<td style="width:197px;">Fisher</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">W6212</td>
			<td style="width:191px;">Diluent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:415px;">Ethanol</td>
			<td style="width:197px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">32221-2.5L</td>
			<td>Diluent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:415px;">(R)-(+)-Limonene</td>
			<td style="width:197px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">183164-100ML</td>
			<td>Standard</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:415px;">Carbon dioxide</td>
			<td style="width:197px;">ChiaLung</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>Carrier gas</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:415px;">Cellulose tissue, Kimwipes Kimtech</td>
			<td style="width:197px;">Kimberly-Clark</td>
			<td>34120</td>
			<td>Used for cleaning</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:415px;">Triple quadrupole mass spectrometer</td>
			<td style="width:197px;">Shimadzu</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">LCMS-8030</td>
			<td>Detection system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:415px;">Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interface</td>
			<td style="width:197px;">Shimadzu</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Duis</td>
			<td>Ion source</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:415px;">20-mL screw top headspace glass vial with septum cap</td>
			<td style="width:197px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">D-52379</td>
			<td>Sample vial</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:415px;">LabSolutions software</td>
			<td style="width:197px;">Shimadzu</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>version 5.82</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:415px;">PeakFit software</td>
			<td style="width:197px;">Systat Software</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>version 4.12</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:415px;">OriginPro software</td>
			<td style="width:197px;">OriginLab</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>version 8</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

fizzy extraction of volatile organic compounds combined with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization quadrupole mass spectrometry

Chemical analysis of volatile and semivolatile compounds dissolved in liquid samples can be challenging. The dissolved components need to be brought to the gas phase, and efficiently transferred to a detection system. Fizzy extraction takes advantage of the effervescence phenomenon. First, a carrier gas (here, carbon dioxide) is dissolved in the sample by applying overpressure and stirring the sample. Second, the sample chamber is decompressed abruptly. Decompression leads to the formation of numerous carrier gas bubbles in the sample liquid. These bubbles assist the release of the dissolved analyte species from the liquid to the gas phase. The released analytes are immediately transferred to the atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interface of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The ionizable analyte species give rise to mass spectrometric signals in the time domain. Because the release of the analyte species occurs over short periods of time (a few seconds), the temporal signals have high amplitudes and high signal-to-noise ratios. The amplitudes and areas of the temporal peaks can then be correlated with concentrations of the analytes in the liquid samples subjected to fizzy extraction, which enables quantitative analysis. The advantages of fizzy extraction include: simplicity, speed, and limited use of chemicals (solvents).

At the beginning, the fizzy extraction system is tested with a standard solution. Subsequently, the real sample and real sample spiked with standard are analyzed. The areas of the temporal peaks of extraction events are correlated with concentrations of the analytes in the liquid samples subjected to fizzy extraction, which enables quantitative analysis. Here, we performed double standard addition to demonstrate quantitative capabilities of the technique (Figure 7</st...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fizzy Extraction of Volatile Organic Compounds Combined with Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry at JoVE.com

Fizzy Extraction of Volatile Organic Compounds Combined with Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

Fizzy extraction is a new laboratory technique for analysis of volatile and semivolatile compounds. A carrier gas is dissolved in the liquid sample by applying overpressure and stirring the sample. The sample chamber is then decompressed. The analyte species are liberated to the gas phase due to effervescence.

Chemical analysis of volatile and semivolatile compounds dissolved in liquid samples can be challenging. The dissolved components need to be brought to ...

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High-pressure Sapphire Cell for Phase Equilibria Measurements of CO2/Organic/Water Systems

The high pressure sapphire cell apparatus was constructed to visually determine the composition of multiphase systems without physical sampling. Specifically, the sapphire cell enables visual data collection from multiple loadings to solve a set of material balances to precisely determine phase composition. Ternary phase diagrams can then be established to determine the proportion of each component in each phase at a given condition. In principle, any ternary system can be studied although ternary systems (gas-liquid-liquid) are the specific examples discussed herein. For instance, the ternary THF-Water-CO2 system was studied at 25 and 40&#160;&#176;C and is described herein. Of key importance, this technique does not require sampling. Circumventing the possible disturbance of the system equilibrium upon sampling, inherent measurement errors, and technical difficulties of physically sampling under pressure is a significant benefit of this technique. Perhaps as important, the sapphire cell also enables the direct visual observation of the phase behavior. In fact, as the CO2 pressure is increased, the homogeneous THF-Water solution phase splits at about 2 MPa. With this technique, it was possible to easily and clearly observe the cloud point and determine the composition of the newly formed phases as a function of pressure.
The data acquired with the sapphire cell technique can be used for many applications. In our case, we measured swelling and composition for tunable solvents, like gas-expanded liquids, gas-expanded ionic liquids and Organic Aqueous Tunable Systems (OATS)1-4. For the latest system, OATS, the high-pressure sapphire cell enabled the study of (1) phase behavior as a function of pressure and temperature, (2) composition of each phase (gas-liquid-liquid) as a function of pressure and temperature and (3) catalyst partitioning in the two liquid phases as a function of pressure and composition. Finally, the sapphire cell is an especially effective tool to gather accurate and reproducible measurements in a timely fashion.

High-pressure Sapphire Cell for Phase Equilibria Measurements of CO2/Organic/Water Systems

The high pressure sapphire cell apparatus is a unique tool to study, without sampling, phase behavior under a wide range of pressures. Using a cathetometer, very precise volume measurements can be recorded to measure liquid expansion and phase composition. Thus, this synthetic method enables the study of (1) phase equilibria of multi-component mixtures and (2) the partition behavior of catalyst or model compounds as a function of pressure.

The high pressure sapphire cell apparatus was constructed to visually determine the composition of multiphase systems without physical sampling. ...

Analysis of Volatile and Oxidation Sensitive Compounds Using a Cold Inlet System and Electron Impact Mass Spectrometry

This video presents a protocol for the mass spectrometrical analysis of volatile and oxidation sensitive compounds using electron impact ionization. The analysis of volatile and oxidation sensitive compounds by mass spectrometry is not easily achieved, as all state-of-the-art mass spectrometric methods require at least one sample preparation step, e.g., dissolution and dilution of the analyte (electrospray ionization), co-crystallization of the analyte with a matrix compound (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization), or transfer of the prepared samples into the ionization source of the mass spectrometer, to be conducted under atmospheric conditions. Here, the use of a sample inlet system is described which enables the analysis of volatile metal organyls, silanes, and phosphanes using a sector field mass spectrometer equipped with an electron impact ionization source. All sample preparation steps and the sample introduction into the ion source of the mass spectrometer take place either under air-free conditions or under vacuum, enabling the analysis of compounds highly susceptible to oxidation. The presented technique is especially of interest for inorganic chemists, working with metal organyls, silanes, or phosphanes, which have to be handled using inert conditions, such as the Schlenk technique. The principle of operation is presented in this video.

This video presents a protocol for the mass spectrometrical analysis of volatile and oxidation sensitive compounds using electron impact ionization. The presented technique is especially of interest for inorganic chemists, working with metal organyls, silanes, or phosphanes which have to be handled using inert conditions, such as the Schlenk technique.

This video presents a protocol for the mass spectrometrical analysis of volatile and oxidation sensitive compounds using electron impact ionization. The ...

A Study of the Complexation of Mercury(II) with Dicysteinyl Tetrapeptides by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

In this study we evaluated a method for the characterization of complexes, formed in different relative ratios of mercury(II) to dicysteinyl tetrapeptide, by electrospray ionization orbitrap mass spectrometry. This strategy is based on previous successful characterization of mercury-dicysteinyl complexes involving tripeptides by utilizing mass spectrometry among other techniques. Mercury(II) chloride and a dicysteinyl tetrapeptide were incubated in a degassed buffered medium at varying stoichiometric ratios. The complexes formed were subsequently analyzed on an electrospray mass spectrometer consisting of a hybrid linear ion- and orbi- trap mass analyzer. The electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) spectra were acquired in the positive mode and the observed peaks were then analyzed for distinct mercury isotopic distribution patterns and associated monoisotopic peak. This work demonstrates that an accurate stoichiometry of mercury and peptide in the complexes formed under specified electrospray ionization conditions can be determined by using high resolution ESI MS based on distinct mercury isotopic distribution patterns.

A Study of the Complexation of MercuryII with Dicysteinyl Tetrapeptides by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

The characterization of complexes formed in different relative ratios of mercury(II) to dicysteinyl tetrapeptides by electrospray ionization orbitrap mass spectrometry is presented.

In this study we evaluated a method for the characterization of complexes, formed in different relative ratios of mercury(II) to dicysteinyl tetrapeptide, ...

Visualization of Ambient Mass Spectrometry with the Use of Schlieren Photography

This manuscript outlines how to visualize mass spectrometry ambient ionization sources using schlieren photography. In order to properly optimize the mass spectrometer, it is necessary to characterize and understand the physical principles of the source. Most commercial ambient ionization sources utilize jets of nitrogen, helium, or atmospheric air to facilitate the ionization of the analyte. As a consequence, schlieren photography can be used to visualize the gas streams by exploiting the differences in refractive index between the streams and ambient air for visualization in real time. The basic setup requires a camera, mirror, flashlight, and razor blade. When properly configured, a real time image of the source is observed by watching its reflection. This allows for insight into the mechanism of action in the source, and pathways to its optimization can be elucidated. Light is shed on an otherwise invisible situation.

This paper presents a protocol for the visualization of gaseous streams of an ambient ionization source using schlieren photography and mass spectrometry.

This manuscript outlines how to visualize mass spectrometry ambient ionization sources using schlieren photography. In order to properly optimize the mass ...

Real-time Breath Analysis by Using Secondary Nanoelectrospray Ionization Coupled to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have aroused considerable interest, since they can serve as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and environmental exposure in a non-invasive manner. In this work, we present a protocol to characterize the exhaled VOCs in real time by using secondary nanoelectrospray ionization coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (Sec-nanoESI-HRMS). The homemade Sec-nanoESI source was readily set up based on a commercial nanoESI source. Hundreds of peaks were observed in the background-subtracted mass spectra of exhaled breath, and the mass accuracy values are -4.0-13.5 ppm and -20.3-1.3 ppm in the positive and negative ion detection modes, respectively. The peaks were assigned with accurate elemental composition according to the accurate mass and isotopic pattern. Less than 30 s is used for one exhalation measurement, and it takes approximately 7 min for six replicated measurements.

A protocol for characterizing chemical composition of exhaled breath in real time by using secondary nanoelectrospray ionization coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry is demonstrated.

Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have aroused considerable interest, since they can serve as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and environmental ...

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry

There are many techniques that can be employed in the characterization of synthetic homopolymers, but few provide as useful of information for end group analysis as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). This tutorial demonstrates methods for optimization of the sample preparation, spectral acquisition, and data analysis of synthetic polymers using MALDI-TOF MS. Critical parameters during sample preparation include the selection of the matrix, identification of an appropriate cationization salt, and tuning the relative proportions of the matrix, cation, and analyte. The acquisition parameters, such as mode (linear or reflector), polarization (positive or negative), acceleration voltage, and delay time, are also important. Given some knowledge of the chemistry involved to synthesize the polymer and optimizing both the data acquisition parameters and the sample preparation conditions, spectra should be obtained with sufficient resolution and mass accuracy to enable the unambiguous determination of the end groups of most homopolymers (masses below 10,000) in addition to the repeat unit mass and the overall molecular weight distribution. Though demonstrated on a limited set of polymers, these general techniques are applicable to a much wider range of synthetic polymers for determining mass distributions, though end group determination is only possible for homopolymers with narrow dispersity.

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

A protocol for the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) characterization of synthetic polymers is described including the optimization of sample preparation, spectral acquisition, and data analysis.

There are many techniques that can be employed in the characterization of synthetic homopolymers, but few provide as useful of information for end group ...

Analysis of Complex Molecules and Their Reactions on Surfaces by Means of Cluster-Induced Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Desorption/Ionization Induced by Neutral SO2 Clusters (DINeC) is employed as a very soft and efficient desorption/ionization technique for mass spectrometry (MS) of complex molecules and their reactions on surfaces. DINeC is based on a beam of SO2 clusters impacting on the sample surface at low cluster energy. During cluster-surface impact, some of the surface molecules are desorbed and ionized via dissolvation in the impacting cluster; as a result of this dissolvation-mediated desorption mechanism, low cluster energy is sufficient and the desorption process is extremely soft. Both surface adsorbates and molecules of which the surface is composed of can be analyzed. Clear and fragmentation-free spectra from complex molecules such as peptides and proteins are obtained. DINeC does not require any special sample preparation, in particular no matrix has to be applied. The method yields quantitative information on the composition of the samples; molecules at a surface coverage as low as 0.1 % of a monolayer can be detected. Surface reactions such as H/D exchange or thermal decomposition can be observed in real-time and the kinetics of the reactions can be deduced. Using a pulsed nozzle for cluster beam generation, DINeC can be efficiently combined with ion trap mass spectrometry. The matrix-free and soft nature of the DINeC process in combination with the MSn capabilities of the ion trap allows for very detailed and unambiguous analysis of the chemical composition of complex organic samples and organic adsorbates on surfaces.

Neutral SO2 clusters of low kinetic energy (&#60; 0.8 eV/constituent) are used to desorb complex surface molecules such as peptides or lipids for further analysis by means of mass spectrometry using an ion trap mass spectrometer. No special sample preparation is required, and real-time observation of reactions is possible.

Desorption/Ionization Induced by Neutral SO2 Clusters (DINeC) is employed as a very soft and efficient desorption/ionization technique for mass ...

Mass Spectrometry-Guided Genome Mining as a Tool to Uncover Novel Natural Products

The chemical space covered by natural products is immense and widely unrecognized. Therefore, convenient methodologies to perform wide-ranging evaluation of their functions in nature and potential human benefits (e.g., for drug discovery applications) are desired. This protocol describes the combination of genome mining (GM) and molecular networking (MN), two contemporary approaches that match gene cluster-encoded annotations in whole genome sequencing with chemical structure signatures from crude metabolic extracts. This is the first step towards the discovery of new natural entities. These concepts, when applied together, are defined here as MS-guided genome mining. In this method, the main components are previously designated (using MN), and structurally related new candidates are associated with genome sequence annotations (using GM). Combining GM and MN is a profitable strategy to target new molecule backbones or harvest metabolic profiles in order to identify analogues from already known compounds.

A mass spectrometry-guided genome mining protocol is established and described here. It is based on genome sequence information and LC-MS/MS analysis and aims to facilitate identification of molecules from complex microbial and plant extracts.

The chemical space covered by natural products is immense and widely unrecognized. Therefore, convenient methodologies to perform wide-ranging evaluation ...

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Paired with Total Vaporization Solid-Phase Microextraction as a Forensic Tool

Gas Chromatography &#8211; Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is a frequently used technique for the analysis of numerous analytes of forensic interest, including controlled substances, ignitable liquids, and explosives. GC-MS can be coupled with Solid-Phase Microextraction (SPME), in which a fiber with a sorptive coating is placed into the headspace above a sample or immersed in a liquid sample. Analytes are sorbed onto the fiber which is then placed inside the heated GC inlet for desorption. Total Vaporization Solid-Phase Microextraction (TV-SPME) utilizes the same technique as immersion SPME but immerses the fiber into a completely vaporized sample extract. This complete vaporization results in a partition between only the vapor phase and the SPME fiber without interference from a liquid phase or any insoluble materials. Depending upon the boiling point of the solvent used, TV-SPME allows for large sample volumes (e.g., up to hundreds of microliters). On-fiber derivatization may also be performed using TV-SPME. TV-SPME has been used to analyze drugs and their metabolites in hair, urine, and saliva. This simple technique has also been applied to street drugs, lipids, fuel samples, post-blast explosive residues, and pollutants in water. This paper highlights the use of TV-SPME to identify illegal adulterants in very small samples (microliter quantities) of alcoholic beverages. Both gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) were identified at levels that would be found in spiked drinks. Derivatization by a trimethylsilyl agent allowed for conversion of the aqueous matrix and GHB into their TMS derivatives. Overall, TV-SPME is quick, easy, and requires no sample preparation aside from placing the sample into a headspace vial.

Total Vaporization Solid Phase Microextraction (TV-SPME) completely vaporizes a liquid sample whilst analytes are sorbed onto a SPME fiber. This allows for partitioning of the analyte between only the solvent vapor and the SPME fiber coating.

Gas Chromatography &#8211; Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is a frequently used technique for the analysis of numerous analytes of forensic interest, including ...

Organic Solvent-Based Protein Precipitation for Robust Proteome Purification Ahead of Mass Spectrometry

While multiple advances in mass spectrometry (MS) instruments have improved qualitative and quantitative proteome analysis, more reliable front-end approaches to isolate, enrich, and process proteins ahead of MS are critical for successful proteome characterization. Low, inconsistent protein recovery and residual impurities such as surfactants are detrimental to MS analysis. Protein precipitation is often considered unreliable, time-consuming, and technically challenging to perform compared to other sample preparation strategies. These concerns are overcome by employing optimal protein precipitation protocols. For acetone precipitation, the combination of specific salts, temperature control, solvent composition, and precipitation time is critical, while the efficiency of chloroform/methanol/water precipitation depends on proper pipetting and vial manipulation. Alternatively, these precipitation protocols are streamlined and semi-automated within a disposable spin cartridge. The expected outcomes of solvent-based protein precipitation in the conventional format and using a disposable, two-stage filtration and extraction cartridge are illustrated in this work. This includes the detailed characterization of proteomic mixtures by bottom-up LC-MS/MS analysis. The superior performance of SDS-based workflows is also demonstrated relative to non-contaminated protein.

The present protocol describes solvent-based protein precipitation under controlled conditions for robust and rapid recovery and purification of proteome samples prior to mass spectrometry.

While multiple advances in mass spectrometry (MS) instruments have improved qualitative and quantitative proteome analysis, more reliable front-end ...