Chip electrospray mass spectrometry for carbohydrate analysis.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Glycomics

Background:

• Two chip systems, out-of-plane and planar microchips, are utilized with mass spectrometry (MS).
• Chip-based MS has recently advanced carbohydrate research significantly.
• These systems enable electrospray ionization (ESI) perpendicular or in-plane to the chip.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically explore the advantages of chip electrospray for carbohydrate analysis.
• To review the state-of-the-art in interfacing chip electrospray devices with high-performance MS.
• To highlight the potential of miniaturized devices for glycomic-based surveys.

Main Methods:

• Systematic exploration of chip electrospray advantages in two laboratories.
• Analysis of various carbohydrate classes including O- and N-glycopeptides, oligosaccharides, gangliosides, and glycoprotein-derived glycans.
• Review of interfacing techniques and method optimization for positive and negative ion modes in MS.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated improvements in ionization efficiency, sensitivity, reproducibility, data quality, mass accuracy, and detection resolution.
• Successful application across diverse carbohydrate classes.
• Established requirements for method optimization in both positive and negative ion modes.

Conclusions:

• Chip-based MS offers significant benefits for the analysis of complex carbohydrates.
• Miniaturized chip electrospray devices show great potential for glycomic surveys.
• Further optimization of interfacing and methods will enhance applicability.