A guide to precise measurements of isotope abundance by ESI-Orbitrap MS
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Stable isotope analysis reveals environmental and biological processes. New mass spectrometry methods precisely quantify site-specific isotope abundance in molecules, advancing research in ecology, medicine, and Earth sciences.
Area Of Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biogeochemistry
- Environmental Science
Background
- Stable isotopes of C, H, N, O, and S vary naturally due to kinetic and thermodynamic effects.
- Isotope ratio variations provide insights into environmental pollution, ecology, metabolism, and Earth's climate history.
- Traditional isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) has limitations in determining intramolecular site-specific isotope abundance.
Purpose Of The Study
- To present a protocol for multi-elemental, intramolecular, and site-specific stable isotope analysis.
- To demonstrate the quantification of isotopocules using electrospray ionization-Orbitrap mass spectrometry.
- To establish workflows for analyzing naturally occurring isotopic signatures in various compounds.
Main Methods
- Direct infusion of unlabeled polar solutes for intramolecular isotope analysis.
- Quantification of trifluoroacetic acid and peptide immonium ions using a calibration solution.
- Flow injection analysis of nitrate as a model for inorganic oxyanion isotopic signatures.
Main Results
- Precise and accurate intramolecular quantification of isotopocules is achievable with Orbitrap mass spectrometry.
- Two distinct procedures are detailed, suitable for beginners with general mass spectrometry expertise.
- The methods are transferable to diverse analytes like metabolites, peptides, drugs, and pollutants.
Conclusions
- Electrospray ionization-Orbitrap mass spectrometry enables site-specific isotope analysis, overcoming IRMS limitations.
- Optimized workflows facilitate intramolecular isotope research across biology, environmental science, and Earth history.
- This approach expands the scope of stable isotope applications in scientific discovery.
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