High-sensitivity molecular mass determination of lysozyme prior to MALDI-MS

Sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS) is a powerful solubilizing detergent which is often used during the separation of highly complex protein mixtures by one- or two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is a widely used technique for mass spectrometric analysis of some protein molecules compared to other techniques. But the presence of SDS or some salts usually leads to signal deterioration when using MALDI-MS. A method for using nitrocellulose membrane as the solid-phase carrier combined with n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside in the matrix highly enhances the sensitivity of the molecular mass determination of lysozyme. This technique has the advantage that the signal-to-noise of the molecular weight profile is improved compared with the mass spectrum and the profile is relatively easy to interpret.

Rapid molecular weight determination of recombinant hirudin by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The molecular weight of recombinant hirudin ( rHV-2) was determined rapidly by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of fight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The effects of the three types of matrixes were compared and discussed, alpha-cynao-4-hydroxycinnamic acid was proved to be the best matrix. It showed that MALDI-TOF-MS was superior to the traditional method of molecular weight determination of the biological macromolecules. The mass spectrum data proved that the primary structure of rHV-2 was correct and there was no amino acid deletion, mutation and modification in its expression, refolding and purification.

Matrix effects in flow injection-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Matrix effects in now injection (FI) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has been studied,and the results have been compared with those of continuous nebulization. The matrix element As and nu with higher ionization potential ( > 9eV) have enhancement effect on the analyte signal,and the heavier the analyte mass, the smaller the enhancement effects by Fl. The matrix elements Cu, In, Li, Na and Pb with lower ionization potential have suppression effect on the analyte signal. The heavier the matrix element mass, the more severe the suppression effects. The heavier the analyte mass, the smaller the suppression effects. The higher ionization potential of analyte, the more severe the suppression effects. Compared with continuous nebulization, the degree of suppression effect is smaller and the degree of the enhancement effect is larger by Fl.

Analysis of monodispersed polyaniline oligomers by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry

Monodispersed polyaniline oligomers was studied by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), It is found that MALDI-TOF-MS is not only a direct, accurate and rapid tool for the analysis of monodispersed polyaniline oligomers, but also a useful technique for the design of synthetic route.

Analysis of chemical constituents of essential oil in purple magnolia leaves by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The essential oil in purple magnolia leaves was extracted by steam distillation approaches. The oil obtained was dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate. According to the analysis of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, more than 40 peaks were separated and 32 compounds were identified. The identified constituents represent 95% of the peak area of the essential oil. The main compounds were germacrene-D, santolina triene, caryophyllene, 1,3,7-octatriene, 3,7-dimethyl, and camphene, etc.

Mass transfer of Er(III) between HBTMPTP dissolved in n-heptane and HAc-NaAc

The rate of extraction of Er(III) from aqueous acetate solutions at 0. 2 mol/L ionic strength by HBTMPTP in n-heptane was studied by using a constant interfacial area cell with laminar flow at (30+/- 0. 5)degrees C. The interfacial activity of HBTMPTP was investigated at n-heptane/0. 2 mol/L (H, Na)Ac (pH=5. 00) interface, The rate of Er(III) extraction was measured at different chemical compositions by varying hydrogen ion, HBTMPTP, Cyanex 302 and chlorine ion concentrations, The effect of stirring speed, temperature and special interfacial area on the rate of extraction was also studied. The results showed that, under the conditions of the experiments, the overall rate is diffusion controlled, that the impurities of Cyanex 302 have the effect of synergistic extraction.

Mass spectrometry study on snake venoms and enzymes

In this paper, three kinds of snake venoms and lour kinds of enzymes (phospholipase A(2), fibrinolytic enzyme, arginine esterase and L-amino acid oxidase) isolated from the snake venom were analyzed. As the snake venom was different, the MALDI/TOF/MS showed difference, The MALDI/TOF/MS determination results could be affected Ly the concentrations of snake venom enzymes, And the mechanisms of desorption and ionization was also given in this study, By using MALDI/TOF/MS we obtained the accurate molecular weights and homogeneities of the enzymes. The apparent characteristics of the positive MALDI/TOF/MS of enzymes composed by two subunits were also given out, The results showed that MALDI/TOF/MS is an effective analytic method for discovering new components from snake venom complexes. And it is reliable to use this method to determine the molecular weights and purifies of protein molecules.

Analysis of poly (arylene phosphonate) cyclic oligomer by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MAIDI-TOF-MS) was used for analysis of poly(arylene phosphonate) cyclic oligomers. A comparison was made by using 1,8,9-dithranol, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and retinoic acid as the matrix. The result showed that the retinoic acid produced the strongest ion signals under the conditions used. Different salts of metals were used as the cationization agents to examine the effect on the cyclic oligomers. It was found that the salts could produce metal-cyclic oligomer cation spectra and lithium was the stronger one than those of silver so, the suitable matrix and cationization agent for the new cyclic oligmer were obtained. They were very effective for the analysis of poly(arylene phosphonate) cyclic oligomer.

Gaseous dipeptide complexes with metal ions by electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization (ESI) and tandem mass spectrometry have been used to investigate the gas-phase interactions of five metal ions and seven dipeptides. For silver ion, two complexes ([M+Ag](+) and [2M+Ag](+)) were obtained as well as the one complex ([2M+Met-H](+)) for transition-metal ions. Upon collision activation, there is an obvious difference in MS/MS data between metal ion complex and the protonated molecule. The fragment pathway of each complex is related to the structures of dipeptide and the nature of metal ion which suggest that there are several interaction between the metal ions and dipeptides in gas phase.

Studies on negative electrospray ionization mass spectrometry on saponins

Two kinds of saponins have been investigated by negative electrospray ionization (NESI) mass spectrometry. Under ESI conditions, the [M - H](-) ions of saponins were observed which provide the molecular weights of saponins. The fragment pathways of [M - H](-) ions of these two saponins depend on their structures. For steroidic saponins, [M - H](-) ion only produces the fragment ions by the losses of sugar units. For oleanolic saponins, [M - H](-) ion yields the cross-ring ions as well as the fragment ions by the losses of sugar units. Moreover, the abundance of the former is higher than that of the latter. The characteristic fragments are used to provide the sequence and some linkage information of sugar moieties of saponins. Especially, their fragment difference strongly depends on the linkage between the aglycone and the sugar moieties.

Investigation of metalloporphyrins and their imidazole complexes using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Three compounds of metalloporphyrins were studied using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The bonding power between substitutional phenyl and porphyrin cycle and the coordinate conditions of metalloporphyrins with imidazole were discussed. The experimental result indicated that the bonding power between substitutional phenyl and porphyrin cycle in metalloporphyrins became weak from Mn, Fe to Co. The complexes abundances formed by metallophorphyrin with imidazole were stronger with the increase of the ligand concentration. At the same ligand concentration, the abundance of the complexes was intensified gradually and the stability of the ligands was become stronger from Mn, Fe to Co.

Application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in biological samples analysis

Recent important applications of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in biological samples analysis are reviewed. The sample preparation, sample introduction techniques, interference correction and typical applications are introduced in detail with 154 references.

Mass spectrometric studies of metallofullerene

The endrohel metallofullerene, Gd@C-82, Gd@C-80, Gd-2@C-80 were synthesized by using K-H method. The technique of two-step of high pressure and high temperature extraction with 1, 3, 5-trimethylbenzene (first step) and pyridine(second step) has been successfully utilized to extract metallofullerene of Gd@C-82 The gas-phase negative ions of fullerenes C-n(n= 60, 70, 78, 82, 84...) and metallofullerene (Gd@C-82) have been studied by the ESI-MS, REC-MS and MALDI-TOF-MS. The differences among the mass spectra of ESI-MS, REC-MS and MALDI-TOF-MS have been observed and explained. In contrast to the empty fullerene C-82 , the metallofullerene Gd@C-82 should have a larger HOMO-LUMO gap. Experimental results suggest that Gd@C-82 is polarized and Gd3+ located in the off-center position of C-82 cage after Gd3+ is trapped into C-82 cage.

Studies on the nature of the macromolecular condensed state of "nascent" ultra high molar mass polyethylene

Ultra high molar mass polyethylene (UHPE) powder as polymerized in a slurry process has been studied, in its nascent state, after recrystallization on rapid cooling from the melt and after hot compression molding to a film, by DSC, effect of annealing the recrystallized specimen at 120 similar to 130 degreesC, morphology by polarizing optical microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. Based on the experimental results obtained the macromolecular condensed state of the nascent UHPE powder is a rare case of a multi-chain condensed state of non-interpenetrating chains, involving interlaced extended chain crystalline layers and relaxed parallel chain amorphous layers. On melting, a nematic rubbery state of nanometer size domain resulted. The nematic-isotropic transition temperature was judged from literature data to be at least 220 degreesC, possibly higher than 300 degreesC, the exact temperature is however not sue because of chain degradation at such high temperatures. The recrystallization process from the melt is a crystallization from a nematic rubbery state. The drop of remelting peak temperature by 10 K of the specimen recrystallized from its melt as compared to the nascent state has its origin in the decrease both of the crystalline chain stem length and of the degree of crystallinity. The remelting peak temperature could be returned close to that of the nascent state by annealing at 120 similar to 130 degreesC.

New method of mass spectrometry for distinguishing ephedrine and isoephedrine

Ephedrine and isoephedrine were first distingshed by electrospy ionization mass spectrometry and in-sourice collision-induced dissociation technique. Based on this observation, a unkown sample was identified for ephedrine.