Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry with 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid matrix

A novel matrix substance, 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo) benzoic acid, or HABA, has been found to be very advantageous for matrix-assisted ultraviolet laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. This compound has been successfully used for the desorption of peptides, proteins, and glycoproteins up to approximately 250 kDa. For these materials, the most abundant analyte-related peaks correspond to [M + H](+) ions and multiply protonated molecules. Comparisons with sinapic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid indicate that the new matrix provides comparable sensitivity for peptides and smaller proteins but results in better sensitivity for larger proteins and glycoproteins in protein mixtures. Other matrices discriminate against the higher mass components in these cases. Somewhat reduced mass resolution has been found for smaller proteins, but for larger proteins and glycoproteins the best mass resolution can often be obtained with the new matrix. For other classes of compounds that form ions predominantly via cation attachment, at least as good sensitivity and even better resolution have been obtained. Derivatized glycolipids and synthetic polymers have been studied in detail. For the analysis of many synthetic polymers, the best performance in terms of sensitivity and mass resolution has been observed with HABA matrix. Mass resolution was higher for cation adducts than for the protonated peptide molecules in the same mass range. The new matrix exhibits greatly extended (in time) analyte ion production and reproducibility. Owing to the uniform sample surface with this matrix, barely any spatial variation of the ion signal could be observed. In addition, many hundreds of single-shot mass spectra could be accumulated from the same spot, even for larger proteins.