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Matrix-free and material-enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for the analysis of low molecular weight compounds

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Abstract

The application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) for the analysis of low molecular weight (LMW) compounds, such as pharmacologically active constituents or metabolites, is usually hampered by employing conventional MALDI matrices owing to interferences caused by matrix molecules below 700 Da. As a consequence, interpretation of mass spectra remains challenging, although matrix suppression can be achieved under certain conditions. Unlike the conventional MALDI methods which usually suffer from background signals, matrix-free techniques have become more and more popular for the analysis of LMW compounds. In this review we describe recently introduced materials for laser desorption/ionization (LDI) as alternatives to conventionally applied MALDI matrices. In particular, we want to highlight a new method for LDI which is referred to as matrix-free material-enhanced LDI (MELDI). In matrix-free MELDI it could be clearly shown, that besides chemical functionalities, the material’s morphology plays a crucial role regarding energy-transfer capabilities. Therefore, it is of great interest to also investigate parameters such as particle size and porosity to study their impact on the LDI process. Especially nanomaterials such as diamond-like carbon, C60 fullerenes and nanoparticulate silica beads were found to be excellent energy-absorbing materials in matrix-free MELDI.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Austrian Genome Program (Gen-AU, Vienna, Austria) and by the SFB Project (Vienna, Austria).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, Leopold-Franzens University, Innrain 52a, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Matthias Rainer, Muhammad Nasimullah Qureshi & Günther Karl Bonn

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  1. Matthias Rainer
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  2. Muhammad Nasimullah Qureshi
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  3. Günther Karl Bonn
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Correspondence to Matthias Rainer.

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Published in the special issue Analytical Sciences in Austria with Guest Editors G. Allmaier, W. Buchberger and K. Francesconi.

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Rainer, M., Qureshi, M.N. & Bonn, G.K. Matrix-free and material-enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for the analysis of low molecular weight compounds. Anal Bioanal Chem 400, 2281–2288 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-4138-1

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