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Silicon micropillar array electrospray chip for drug and biomolecule analysis
Teemu Nissilä1, Lauri Sainiemi, Tiina Sikanen
1Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM
|October 25, 2007
Summary
A novel lidless micropillar array electrospray ionization (microPESI) chip coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) enables sensitive and reliable analysis of drugs and biomolecules. This microchip technology offers a non-clogging, easy-to-use platform for diverse analytical applications.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Traditional mass spectrometry sample introduction can be complex and prone to clogging.
- Development of microfluidic devices is crucial for miniaturized and efficient analytical systems.
- Electrospray ionization (ESI) is a key technique for interfacing liquid samples with mass spectrometry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel lidless micropillar array electrospray ionization chip (microPESI) for mass spectrometry.
- To evaluate the performance of the microPESI chip in terms of sensitivity, linearity, and stability for drug and biomolecule analysis.
- To demonstrate the potential of microPESI-MS as a versatile platform for direct sample analysis.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of silicon microchips using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) to create micropillar arrays.
- Integration of the microPESI chip with a mass spectrometer for direct electrospray formation and ionization.
- Analysis of verapamil using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to determine the limit of detection and quantitative performance.
- Continuous flow measurements using a syringe pump for sample introduction.
Main Results:
- The microPESI chip demonstrated reliable, non-clogging liquid transfer via capillary forces and an electrospray emitter tip.
- High sensitivity was achieved with a limit of detection of 30 pmol/L for verapamil using MS/MS.
- Excellent quantitative linearity (r2 > 0.99) and a wide dynamic range (at least six orders of magnitude) were observed.
- Good ion current stability (standard deviation <5%) was maintained during 1-hour continuous flow measurements.
Conclusions:
- The lidless microPESI chip offers a user-friendly and robust solution for sample introduction in mass spectrometry.
- The microPESI-MS system provides high sensitivity and excellent quantitative performance for analyzing drugs and biomolecules.
- This technology holds significant potential for direct, rapid, and efficient analysis in various fields, including pharmaceutical and biological research.
