A GC×GC-MS method based on solid-state modulator for non-targeted metabolomics: Comparison with traditional GC-MS...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Metabolomics
• Mass Spectrometry

Background:

• Non-targeted metabolomics analyses face challenges due to high compound concentrations and variability in plasma.
• Conventional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has limitations in identifying and quantifying metabolites in complex biological samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and validate a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC×GC-qMS) method with a solid-state modulator (SSM) for non-targeted metabolomics in beagle plasma.
• To compare the qualitative and quantitative performance of the developed GC×GC-qMS platform against a conventional GC-MS method.

Main Methods:

• Established a GC×GC-qMS method with SSM for non-targeted metabolomics in beagle plasma.
• Utilized NIST database match scores, retention indices (RIs), and standards for compound identification.
• Performed semi-quantification using peak area ratios to internal standards and assessed linearity, accuracy, precision, and sensitivity for 22 representative metabolites.

Main Results:

• The GC×GC-qMS platform identified three times more metabolites compared to GC-MS.
• Lower limits of quantitation (LLOQs) were reduced by 0.5-0.05 times on the GC×GC-MS platform.
• Both platforms demonstrated quantification accuracy within 85-115%, with intra- and inter-day precisions generally within 20%.

Conclusions:

• The developed GC×GC-MS method with SSM offers significantly enhanced qualitative capabilities and sensitivity for non-targeted metabolomics.
• The GC×GC-MS method provides comparable accuracy and precision to GC-MS, making it more suitable for complex plasma analyses.
• This advanced approach improves the depth and reliability of metabolomic profiling in biological samples.