Thermospray-mass spectrometric analysis of underivatized monohydroxy fatty acids: application to stimulated platelets

Monohydroxylated fatty acids prepared from polyunsaturated fatty acids of nutritional value were analysed by thermospray-mass spectrometry without prior chemical derivatization. Positive and negative ionization modes were compared. The highest sensitivity was observed with the negative ionization mode with detection limits of 10 pmol based on the 12-hydroxy derivative of eicosatrienoic acid (12-OH-8,10,14-20:3). This is comparable to that obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection at 234 nm. Selected ion monitoring based on the fragment [M-H]- allowed a variety of standard monohydroxy fatty acids to be detected. This approach makes possible the analysis of various derivatives generated by thrombin-stimulated platelets (10(9) cells) pre-enriched with minor polyunsaturated fatty acids, even when these derivatives co-elute from the column (e.g., 12-HETE and 14-OH-22:6).