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Determining fatty acids by desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using thin-layer chromatography substrates.
Mario F Mirabelli1, Giuseppe Coviello, Dietrich A Volmer
1Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Saarland University, Campus B2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
|March 28, 2015
Summary
This study shows ambient mass spectrometry can measure fatty acids in biological samples like oils, fish, and serum. Using thin-layer chromatography with solvent-assisted desorption/ionization mass spectrometry improves accuracy and reduces signal interference.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Fatty acid analysis is crucial in various biological and food science applications.
- Ambient mass spectrometry offers potential for rapid, on-site analysis.
- Traditional methods can be time-consuming and require extensive sample preparation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply ambient mass spectrometry for quantifying fatty acids in diverse biological matrices.
- To optimize a solvent-assisted desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (DI-MS) method using thin-layer chromatography (TLC).
- To assess the linearity, reproducibility, and signal suppression effects of the developed method.
Main Methods:
- Samples (olive oil, fish oil, salmon, human serum) were spotted onto TLC plates.
- A custom-built solvent-assisted desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (DI-MS) interface was utilized.
- Internal standards were applied to ensure accurate quantification.
- TLC separation was employed prior to DI-MS analysis to mitigate signal suppression.
Main Results:
- Good to excellent linearity (R² = 0.9856–0.9977) and reproducibility (average 6% RSD) were achieved.
- TLC separation prior to DI-MS significantly minimized signal suppression.
- A fourfold increase in signal-to-noise ratio was observed compared to analysis without TLC separation.
Conclusions:
- Ambient mass spectrometry, coupled with TLC and DI-MS, provides a robust method for fatty acid analysis in complex biological samples.
- The developed method demonstrates high accuracy, reproducibility, and improved sensitivity.
- This approach offers a valuable tool for efficient fatty acid profiling in food and clinical diagnostics.
