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Conductive Polymer Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Biofluid Analysis
Xiaowei Song1, Hao Chen1, Richard N Zare1
1Department of Chemistry , Fudan University , Shanghai , 200438 , China.
Analytical Chemistry
|September 25, 2018
Summary
A new conductive polymer spray ionization (CPSI) method uses carbon nanotube composites for direct mass spectrometry of biomolecules. This technique enhances ion signal intensity for hydrophilic compounds in biofluids.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Direct mass spectrometric analysis of biofluids is crucial for diagnostics.
- Traditional paper spray ionization has limitations in sensitivity and sample consumption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel conductive polymer spray ionization (CPSI) method for enhanced analysis of hydrophilic compounds in biofluids.
- To compare the performance of the new method against traditional paper spray ionization.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a conductive composite substrate using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).
- Utilizing the CNT/PMMA substrate for direct mass spectrometric analysis of biofluid samples.
- Applying 4.5 kV high voltage to generate charged microdroplets for ionization.
Main Results:
- The CNT/PMMA substrate demonstrated reduced absorption and diffusion of hydrophilic compounds compared to paper.
- Significantly higher ion intensity (20-100 fold) was observed for target compounds like sunitinib, acarbose, melamine, and angiotensin II.
- The CPSI method enabled efficient extraction and ionization using only 1.0-2.0 μL of solvent with a signal duration of 7.5 min.
Conclusions:
- The developed CNT/PMMA conductive polymer spray ionization method offers superior sensitivity and efficiency for analyzing hydrophilic drugs, saccharides, peptides, and proteins in biofluids.
- This technique holds significant potential for advancing direct mass spectrometry applications in biological and clinical settings.
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